UK Political Systems and Parties

Flashcards covering key concepts related to UK political systems and the role of various parties.

2-party system

A political system dominated by two major parties, in this case, Labour and Conservative (Tory) in the UK.

Multi-party system

A political system where multiple political parties have the capacity to gain control of government offices, separately or in coalition.

FPTP (First Past the Post)

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, often leading to a winners bonus for the leading parties.

Coalition government

A government formed by multiple political parties, typically when no single party has a majority.

Swing voters

Voters who may change their preferred party between elections, influencing the election outcome.

Partisan alignment

The tendency of voters to support a particular political party based on historical, social, or economic factors.

Marginal seats

Constituencies where the winning candidate has a relatively small majority, making them crucial for election outcomes.

Good Friday Agreement

A major political development in Northern Ireland that established a devolved government and required cooperation among regional parties.

AMS (Additional Member System)

A mixed electoral system used in Scotland that combines first-past-the-post and proportional representation.

Green agenda

Policies promoted by parties that emphasize environmental sustainability and climate action.