evaluation of UKS multi party system

3 arguments that the uk has a multi party system

1. rise in popularity of third parties since the 1970s
2. the rise in the number of coalition governments
3. The support for minor parties in elections other than Westminster

the rise of coalition governments

1. Ireland = there have been a significant number of recent coalition governments, All Governments from 1989 to 2020 were coalitions of two or more parties - shows that for certain devolved institutions a minority or coalition is the norm, which therefore indicates a multiparty system.
2. Westminster also recently had a coalition government in 2010 between the Conservative party and Liberal Democrats - shows that even in a FPTP system which typically produces a majority government, the electorate are selecting a coalition government, which therefore suggests that the Uk has a multiparty system.

The support for minor parties in elections other than Westminster evidence and link

1. the elections of devolved governments, as they do not commonly produce majority governments, highlighting that regions of the UK operate a multi party system
2. Welsh government control has been shown to constantly shift, highlighted in their current Labour minority administration and the previous Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition government in 2010. And , in 2016, the UK independence party won 12% of their seats
3. shows that in areas of the Uk a range of parties have an equal chance at gaining power.

the rise in popularity of third parties since the 1970s evidence and link point and counter point

1. In 1950s, Labour and the Conservatives together won more than 90% of the vote
2. BUT in 2010+2015 elections= two main parties got 2/3 of the vote
3. RESULTED IN 2010=support for parties other than Labour or Conservative reached a record 35%
Link point= in recent years multiple political parties have had the capacity to gain control of government
4. HOWEVER due to FPTP system favouring major parties that have strong nationwide support, surely as long as we have fptp multi party system=impossible

argument FOR two-party system + explain?

the election results since 2016 reflect strong two party popularity, coupled with the fptp system
can be seen in the 2019 election and 2017 general election in which labour + tories secured 82% of the vote between them
also the fptp system is designed to favour major parties that have strong nationwide support, therefore limits the opporitunity of smaller parties by nature so fosters a two party system.