2 Political parties

Features of political parties

Shared ideology or broad policy goals

Organisation at local, regional and national levels

Formal membership and rules

Functions of political parties

Political recruitment

Organising elections & mobilising voters

Forming a government

Political education

Representation

Developing policies and creating a manifesto

Political parties funding sources

Membership subscription

Trade union donations

Large private donations

Public funding

State funding

Political parties receiving money from the public purse to support their operations, policy development and election activity.

Arguments for state funding

Reduces influence of big donors

Improves representation

Greater transparency

Promotes party pluralism

Arguments against state funding

Expensive and low public priority

Could entrench larger parties

Unfair to taxpayers

Reduced public engagement

Left wing

Political ideas and parties that support greater economic equality, social justice and an active role for the state in reducing inequality.

Right wing

Political ideas and parties that prioritise individual freedom, free-market economics, limited government intervention and traditional social values.

Conservatives

Origins in the 18th-19th centuries as a party focused on stability, tradition and national security.

One nation conservatives

Centrist conservatives favouring a focus on society, developing public services and and economic management.

Social cohesion, moderate state role, pragmatism

New Right

More right wing conservatives focusing on the role of the individual, free-market economy, and stronger approaches to law and order.

Individualism, free markets, limited welfare

Labour

Founded in the early 20th century representing the working class by trade unions and socialist groups.

Old Labour (Social Democracy)

State intervention for redistribution of wealth and nationalisation of industries

Social justice - a belief in guaranteeing equality of individuals

Collectivism - a strong trade union presence and an equally accessible welfare state

Taxes - A progressive tax system

New Labour (Third way)

Acceptance of free market principles

Social Justice

Welfare targeted at the most needy

Weaker trade unions

Lower taxes for individuals and businesses to encourage growth

Liberal Democrats

Long heritage from the 19th century Liberal Party, the modern party formed in 1988 after the SDP-Liberal merger focused on individual liberty and constitutional reform.

Classic ('Orange Book') Liberals

More in the centre of the political spectrum

Focusing on individual freedoms and mobility through lesser state intervention

Modern Liberals

More on the left of the political spectrum

Focusing on achieving individual freedoms through higher spending and state intervention

Reform UK principles

National sovereignty

Individual freedoms

Smaller government

Green Party principles

Social justice

Environmental justice

Grassroots democracy

Scottish National Party (SNP) principles

National sovereignty

Social justice and equality

Internationalism

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) principles

Unionism

Social conservatism

Public spending on services

Party system

The number of parties with a realistic chance of forming a government.

Majoritarian and plurality electoral systems generally having two-party systems

Proportional electoral systems generally having multi-party systems

Arguments that the UK is (or remains) a two-party system

Domination by Labour and Conservatives for around 100 years.

Even in 2024, the most disproportionate election ever, Labour and Conservatives gained 57% of the vote but 82% of the seats

Labour and Conservative spend considerably more

Arguments that the UK is becoming more of a multi-party system

Since 2010: more coalition, minority or small-majority governments

Public issues minority parties can capitalise on to gain popularity such as reform UK.

Implications of a multi-party system for Government

More negotiations and agreements needed to form a government coalitions, minority governments more likely.

Smaller parties gaining leverage

Governments can be less stable

Factors affecting party success

Party leadership

Party policies

Party funding & resources

Political performance

Media

Parties are good for democracy

Provide genuine political choice, encouraging participation

Allow voters to hold governments accountable

Simplify complex issues, improving political education

Recruit and train political leaders

Organise government and opposition, creating stability

Adversary politics ensures scrutiny between elections

Parties are bad for democracy

Risk becoming narrow elites dominated by wealthy donors

Polarisation undermines consensus

Reliance on funding raises transparency concerns

Whips limit MP independence and local representation

Internal factions undermine unity and policy delivery

Declining membership suggests weakening public engagement