POLITICAL PARTIES

What’s a political party?

A political party is an organised group of people who share similiar political beliefs and policies and aim to seek power by winning elections and forming a government.

Features of political parties

• The members of parties share similar political values and views or ideology.

• They aim to gain power by winning political office.

• They have an organisational structure to ensure they can operate efficiently.

What are the typical variations in the features of parties?

• Some are mass membership parties with many members (UK Labour Party) others may have a small leadership group who seek supporters rather than members (the main US parties).

• Some parties may be highly organised with a formal permanent organisation (German Christian Democrats) others have a loose, less permanent organisation (US parties that only organise fully during elections).

• Some parties may have a very narrow range of values and views and are intensely united around those views and values, and so may be divided into factions (the UK Conservative Party).

• Some parties focus on gaining power (main parties in the UK) others recognise they will not gain power but seek to influence the political system (Green Parties).

Key Features of Established Parties

1. Parties aim to gain power by winning political office through elections.

2. Parties have a broad focus across many different areas (such as health, education, finance etc)

3. Membership of parties tends to share a common ideology (such as conservatism, socialism, liberalism).

Policy

policies are specific plans or proposals that a political party wants to introduce to address issues and achieve its political goals.

It’s a set of intentions or a political programme developed by parties or by government.

Functions of Parties

Making Policy

Representation

Selecting Candidates

Identifying leaders

Contesting elections

Political Education

Reinforcing Consent

Representation

Political parties represent different interests, values and opinions within society.

They connect citizens with the political system by turning public concerns into policies.

Analysis: This strengthens democracy because voters can choose a party that reflects their views. However, parties may fail to represent everyone, particularly smaller groups whose interests receive less attention

Example: 2024 general election: Labour won 411 of 650 seats, despite receiving around 33.7% of the UK-wide vote.

Parties give voters a choice and represent different views, but first-past-the-post can create a mismatch between vote share and parliamentary representation.

Making Policies

Parties develop policies and publish manifestos outlining what they intend to do if elected.

These policies provide voters with a choice between different approaches to issues such as taxation, education and healthcare.

Analysis: This allows voters to influence government priorities through elections. However, parties may make unrealistic promises or fail to deliver manifesto commitments once in government.

2024 Labour manifesto: Labour promised to create Great British Energy, a publicly owned clean-energy company.

Analysis: Manifestos allow voters to compare policies and influence government priorities. However, winning an election does not guarantee that every manifesto promise will be fulfilled.

Selecting candidates

Parties select candidates to contest elections and provide a pathway into political leadership.

Successful candidates may become MPs, ministers or party leaders.

Analysis: This provides an organised route into politics and helps develop future leaders. However, candidate selection can favour established party members and limit opportunities for outsiders.

2024 general election: 263 women were elected as MPs, approximately 40% of the 650-seat House of Commons.

Political parties select candidates to contest constituencies and potentially become MPs or ministers.

Analysis: Parties provide a route into political leadership, but candidate selection can affect how representative Parliament is of society.

Aggregation

A process undertaken by political parties, of converting policies, demands and ideas into practical policy programmes for government. This involves eliminating contradictions and making some compromises.

Populism

A political approach that claims to represent the interests of ordinary people against a powerful elite.

How are UK political parties funded?

1. Collecting membership subscriptions from members.

2. Holding fundraising events such as conferences etc.

3. receiving donations from supporters.

4. Raising loans from wealthy individuals or banks.

5. Self financing of candidates for office.

6. Up to £2 million per party available in grants from the Electoral Commission.

7. Money granted to opposition parties in the Commons and Lords.

   
   

Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

• People not on the UK electoral roll could no longer make donations.

• Limits were placed on how much could be spent on parliamentary elections.

• Donations over £500 had to be declared

• Donations over £7500 were to be placed on an electoral register.

Political Parties and Elections Act 2009

It gave the Electoral Commission the power to investigate and impose fines, restricted donations from non-Uk residents and imposed tighter regulations in the run up to elections.

Why is party funding controversial?

1. Funding by large donors represents a hidden and unaccountable form of political influence. Parties are not allowed to change specific policies or purpose legislation as a result of donations.

2. Rich individuals and businesses can donate large sums to political parties, raising concerns that politicians may prioritise donors' interests over ordinary voters.

3. Major parties may receive significantly more donations than smaller parties, giving them advantages in advertising, campaigning and reaching voters.

4. In Great Britain, there is no general legal cap on the size of donations from permissible sources. This creates debate about whether wealthy donors have a disproportionate advantage.

5. Large donations can create suspicions that donors are paying for access to politicians or favourable treatment, even when no wrongdoing has been proven.

Alternative funding structures and restrictions

1. Impose restrictions on the size of individual donations to parties.

2. Impose tight restrictions on how much parties are allowed to spend.

3. Restrict donations on individuals

4. Replace all funding with state grants for parties.

Short money

Refers to funds paid to opposition parties to facilitate their parliamentary work (research, facilities etc). The amount is based on how many seats and votes each party won at the previous election.

Cranborne Money

Refers to funds paid to opposition parties in the House of Lords to help with the costs of research and administration in order for them to scrutinise the work of government.

Should UK parties receive full state funding?

Arguments for:

• It would end the opportunities for corrupt use of donations.

• It would end the possibilities of hidden forms of influence through funding.

• It would reduce the huge financial advantage that large parties enjoy and give smaller parties the opportunity to make progress.

• It would improve democracy by ensuring wider participation from groups that have no ready source of funds.

Arguments Against:

• Taxpayers might object to funding what can be considered ‘private’ organisations or parties with views they find offensive.

• It would be difficult to know how to contribute funding. Should it be on the basis of past performance (in which case large parties would retain their advantage) or on the basis of future aspirations.

• Parties might lose some of their independence and would see themselves as organs of the state.

• State funding might lead to excessive state regulation of parties.

Left Wing

A widely used term for those who desire change, reform and alteration to the way in which society operates.

Left-wing politics is a political ideology that supports greater social and economic equality, usually through government intervention, redistribution of wealth and public services.

The Labour Party traditionally supports left-wing policies such as the NHS and reducing economic inequality.

Right Wing

Reflects support for the status quo, little or no change stressing the need for order, stability and hierarchy.

Right-wing politics is a political ideology that generally supports individual responsibility, private enterprise, free markets and maintaining traditional values, with less government intervention in the economy.

The Conservative Party’s privatisation policies.

One Nation

is an idea associated with Benjamin Disraeli. It argues that society should be united and that the wealthy and powerful have a responsibility to help poorer members of society.

New Right

New Right Conservatism is an ideological movement that combines free-market economics with socially conservative values. It became influential in the late 20th century, particularly under Margaret Thatcher.

Noblesse Oblige

It refers to the belief that wealthy and privileged people have a moral responsibility to help those who are less fortunate.

Privilege comes with responsibility

Party Faction

A distinct group within a political party, whose views vary significantly from the main party policies.

Old labour

Old Labour refers to the traditional socialist approach of the Labour Party, particularly before Tony Blair's New Labour reforms in the 1990s

New Labour

New Labour was the modernised version of the Labour Party under Tony Blair, introduced in 1994. It aimed to find a middle ground between traditional socialism and free-market conservatism. This approach became known as the Third Way.

Co - option

When the policies of a smaller party are adopted by one of the major parties.

Classical Liberals

Classical liberals believe people should have maximum freedom to make their own choices, with as little government interference as possible.

Modern Liberals

Modern liberals believe the government should intervene to create equal opportunities and help individuals achieve their full potential.