political parties

political parties purpose (5)

representation- represent the views of people with a certain set of beliefs. This representative function could be performed by lots of individuals or pressure groups, but the value of parties is that they bring order to the political system.

participation- in order to win power or influence, parties encourage people to participate in politics — to vote, join a party and to support it through funding to get its message across. Parties vary in how far they allow their members to shape party policy, but all the main UK parties have procedures that involve members in selecting candidates to stand for local and national elections, and in choosing the party leader. For example, in the summer of 2022, Conservative Party members chose a new leader (and prime minister) in a contest between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.

recruitment- For a small number of people, party membership leads to recruitment as candidates for public office and thus participation in the UK's representative democracy. Candidates can learn political skills as campaigners and organisers• Parties also have the right to reject or deselect' candidates who fail to live up to their expectation so that they cannot stand for that party in any upcoming election. For example, Sam Tarry was deselected as Labour MP for llford South in 2022.

formulating policy-Parties generate policies that embody the ideas for which they stand. At a general election they put these proposals before the electorate in a manifesto, a document setting out their programme for government. For example, at the 2024 general election, Labour pledged to end the Conservative policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda and promised instead to tighten up on cross-border people smuggling.

providing government-The winning party at a general election has the opportunity to form a government. That party then controls the business of parliament' with a view to passing its manifesto into law. The prime minister is not directly elected by the people, but is usually the leader of the largest party. A prime minister who loses the confidence of their party is vulnerable. For example, Liz Truss became the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history when she resigned in October 2022, after her government's mini-budget caused a market crisis and undermined support for her among Conservative MPs.

factors affecting a party’s success

party leaders

a parties leadership can often shape its public profile for good or bad due to the increasingly presidential style of government

for example

• BJs brexit style didn’t differ much from mays his leadership was more successful as the Eurosceptics believed him

however even if the leader is popular the FPTP system can still have a negative affect on more minor parties

for example

• in 2005 charles kennedy (lib dem) polled above both the other leaders but due FPTP won under 10% of the seats with 22% of the vote

factors affecting partys success

policy and campaigning

popular polics allow parties to target specific areas and groups of voters that can swign the election votes

for example

• the conservatives had succes with get brexit done and helped them win in some of labours brick wall seats

however this doesnt always happen

for example

• nick clegg had a very effective campaign and a successful policy of scrapping tution fees yet he only one 57 seats in the 2010 election

factors effecting a parties success

public perception of there performance

if voters see a party with good economic competence they are often more likely to vote for them before 2024 the past three elections were a party changed where held during economic crisis

for example

• in 2024 labour was seen as a strong opposition and where in a good position having not been in government for the last 14 years meaning they could easily distant themselves from things that had happened

however patys can sometimes do well despite there public perception

• conservatives has a bad public view in 2019 due to how brexit had gone so far yet they still one regardless

factors affecting a parties success

the media

the media can often have a major public impact in swaying elections one way or another

• the sun has predicted every election win since 1979

• 6.7 million people watch a tv debate between corbyn and johnson

however is it more conincidence

• labours support actually fell after the sun supported them in 1997

• in 2024 the lib dems gained 28 seats and reform had 14% of the vote despite not being endorsed by a national paper

one nation conservatives

supports necessary economic and social intervention by the state the government acts as a tool for prosperity favours international cooperation inspired by Disraeli and post war politics

exmaples of one nation policy

• during covid-19 the state paid 80% of peoples wages using a £70 billion furlough

• net zero by 2050 was first introduced in the conservatives 2019 manifesto

• windfall tax introduced by BJ to help people with rising bills implemented a 25% tax on energy companies profits

• sunak offered for the state to help with childcare

new right conservatives

emphasise free-market principles, deregulation, privatisation, and minimal government role, inspired by Thatcher’s ideologies, prioritising economic growth and personal freedom over state welfare.

examples on new right policies

• Johnson approved priti patels plan to depot asylum seekers to Rwanda

• cut foreign aid from 0.7% of GDP TO 0.5%

• BREXIT

conservative party

origins

• Origins: formed in the early nineteenth century from the seventeenth-century Tory Party.​

• Response to change: reacted to the disruptions of the French and Industrial Revolutions.​

• Tradition defender: champions traditional political, economic and religious values.​

• Philosophy: values pragmatism, gradualism and tradition.

conservatives since cameron

economic policies

• Reduce the budget deficit-‘austerity.’​

• One nation= energy price cap.​

• Covid 19- spending to support jobs and businesses​

• Public spending rose to 45% of GDP in 2022-23​

• Moderate cuts to NI signalled the desire to cut taxes when able

conservatives since Cameron

welfare policy

• Encourage self reliance. Osborne- ‘strivers’ and ‘shirkers’​

• ​Universal credit-merges a number of in work benefits into one payment to simplify the system.​

• ​Triple lock for pensioners​

• ​Modest increases for NHS

conservatives since Cameron

law and order

• Inconsistent ​

• Police numbers fell during the coalition. 2019- Bo Jo promised to recruit 20,000more officers. Attempted made to rehabilitate criminals using private firms and charities. Did not work so reversed. ​

• Sunak and Johnson wanted to appear tough- ie 2022Police Crime and Sentencing and Courts Act.

conservatives since Cameron

foreign policy

BREXIT- leaving the EU

labour

democratic socialists

significant state intervention to address economic and social inequalities, high taxation for redistribution of wealth, full nationalisation of industry, non interventionist foreign policy that prefers diplomatic solutions to military ones (Corbyn)

• 2017 and 2019 manifestos promised to nationalise rail energy and water companies

• increase income tax for people earning over £80,000

• increase government spending to £83 billion

• cut tuition fees

• opposed foreign intervention in syria

labour

social democrats

significant state intervention of business, progressive taxation to fund public spending, some nationalisation of industry, some foreign military intervention (starmer)

• starmer supported marcus Rashford in extending state funded meals during school holidays- provided 15.6 million HAF (holiday activities and food) days to children since 2022

• £40 billiom worth of tax increase in 2024 (through not increasing thresholds inline with inflation)

• 20% VAT on independent schools was introduced in 2024

labour

third way socialists

limiting regulations and maintain low corporation taxes working with the private sector to deliever public sector, privatisation and deregulation, idea the uk has a more duty to intervene oversees (IRAQ), (tony Blair)

• scrapped its 2019 pledge to remove tuition fees

• Starmer supported military aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion

• only nationalisation proposed was the creation of a state owned energy company to shift toward renewable energy

labour policies

economy

• Attlee= first majority labour govt. famous for setting up the Welfare State- also took into state ownership many core industries .Following lab govts would nationalise further industries. Thatcher sold these but Blair/Brown did not renationalise. Corbyn did pledge to some partial renationalisation. ​

• ​Nationalisation= reflects the historic pledge to redistribute wealth for the many and notthe few. Corbyn shift to left-Starmer back to centre

• £40 billion worth of tax increase in 2024 (through not increasing thresholds inline with inflation)

• clause IV

labour policies

foreign affairs

Commitment to world peace and disarmament- alongside resisting fascism and racism. First PM Ramsey MacDonald was a pacifist 1WW.Solidarity with workers across the globe.

foreign policy now

• send aid to Ukraine (Starmer)

• have chosen not to intervene in Iran

labour

law and order

policy of Rwanda should have been illegal

liberal democrats

economy

As a member of the coalition they sought to eliminate the budget deficit in a way which protected the poor- progressively raise the basic income tax. In opposition they promised to ‘borrow less than Labour, cut less than the Tories.’ stress environmental credentials with a commitment to renewable energy. Traditionally they have argued for 1p more on income tax to fun the NHS

liberal democrats

welfare policy

• In coalition they shared the controlling of spending on benefits with the cons. While uprating pensions and extending free childcare to enable parents to return to work. ​

• They have called for more help with increases to universal credit and the maintenance of the triple lock for the state pension.2024- Davey promised to recruit more doctors and nurses and fund free social care for the elderly.​

liberal democrats

law and order

Aim to ensure that personal freedoms are not eroded. They are committed to protecting civil liberties.

liberal democrats

foreign policy

Most enthusiastic for EU membership.​

​2019 election proposed to reverse Brexit. Now the UK has left they want to build closer ties.

liberal democrats

policy in government

• ​Raising the income tax threshold, helping low-income earners.​

• Increasing free childcare hours for disadvantaged families.​

• Passing the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, reflecting their commitment to individual freedoms.​

• Securing a referendum on electoral reform in 2011, although the proposal for the Alternative Vote system was ultimately rejected, stalling electoral reform efforts for a generation.​

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liberal democrats

in power

The Liberal Democrats played a pivotal role in British politics during the coalition government formed in 2010. Under the leadership of Nick Clegg, the party entered into a partnership with the Conservatives following a hung parliament. Clegg envisioned the Liberal Democrats as a moderating force, aiming to temper Conservative policies and demonstrate the party’s capability as a responsible party of government—especially in the wake of the global financial crisis.​

Faced with a difficult choice, the Liberal Democrats believed that refusing to join the coalition would be seen as shirking responsibility during a national emergency. However, participation came ata cost. The party was compelled to support austerity measures and other policies that conflicted with its centre-left heritage. One of the most damaging decisions was the reversal of a key manifesto pledge to oppose increases in student tuition fees, which severely undermined public trust.

liberal democrats

fallput of general election

The fallout from coalition participation was severe. In the 2015 general election, the Liberal Democrats suffered a dramatic loss, winning only eight seats. This decline continued in subsequentelections, with just 12 MPs elected in 2017 and 11 in 2019. The disillusionment among party activists and voters was palpable.​

However, the party gradually rebuilt its support. By the 2024 general election, the Liberal Democrats had regained momentum, winning 72 seats and overtaking the Scottish National Party tobecome the third-largest party in Westminster once again

what are the five types of party funding

• private businesses

• rich individuals

• trade unions

• party membership

• state funding (need one seat and more than 150,000 votes)

arguments against current system/ for reform

increases scandals and corruption

if people think they can benefit from giving money to a party they often will

• 22 of the Tories biggest donors have been made lords in the past 11 years overall they have donated £54 million

• Came under intense pressure over ‘freebies’ after it was revealed that in opposition Sir Keir had accepted £107,000 in gifts since 2019 – over two times more than any other MP.

arguments against current system/ for reform

gives corporate interests to much influence

rich company’s can offer influence policy if they give big donations to the government