Minor UK Political Parties

A set of practice flashcards covering the concept of minor UK political parties, their definitions, key examples (SNP, Green Party, Reform Party), notable elections and outcomes, and evaluation frameworks discussed in the notes.

What is a minor party?

A smaller political party that challenges the traditional Labour/Conservative/Lib Dem dominance; it is unlikely to win a majority of seats to form a government but can influence policy or win votes on specific issues or regions.

Which three minor parties are the main focus in these notes?

SNP (Scotland), Green Party, Reform Party (and its ideological predecessors, the Brexit Party and UKIP).

Which party is described as rising in seats from one to four, signaling growing popularity?

The Green Party.

How many seats did the SNP win in the 2024 UK General Election?

9 seats.

How many seats did the Green Party win in the 2024 UK Parliament election?

4 seats.

How many parties won seats in the 2024 General Election?

14 parties.

List the three ways to measure the importance of minor parties.

1) Success in raising single issues; 2) Influencing the major parties; 3) Forming or joining the government.

What SNP achievement in 2011 helped push for a 2014 referendum on independence?

69 seats in the Scottish Parliament in 2011, which led to the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.

What was the result of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum?

No won with 55% to Yes 45%.

What impact did UKIP have in the 2014 European Elections?

UKIP won 24 seats and about 4.3 million votes, bringing the Brexit idea to the forefront.

What is the Green Party's internal debate about climate policy?

Some members argue climate change requires abolishing capitalism; others favor reform within the existing system.

What is the Reform Party's historical evolution and its 2024 result?

Preceded by the Brexit Party/UKIP; in 2024 it won 5 seats in the UK General Election, including Nigel Farage in Clacton.

What happened to Scottish independence support after 2014?

Support declined, around 37% by 2020–2023, making it harder to keep independence on the agenda.

Have minor parties ever formed a UK national government?

No; the UK is a unitary state and minor parties have not gained a majority in Parliament. They have formed governments only at local/regional levels; e.g., the DUP in a Conservative-DUP arrangement (2017–2020).

Why can major parties be swayed by minor party policies?

Major parties draw policies from internal members and think tanks, and media coverage also shapes priorities, allowing minor parties to influence major party decisions.

What is the Greens' 'Watermelons' vs 'Mangos' distinction?

Watermelons: green on the outside, red on the inside; Mangos: green on the outside, yellow inside, reflecting internal ideological differences.

Success in raising single issues - successes

Failures in raising single issue

Influential in influencing major parties

• 2024 - Reform leading - Labour coming with more strict immigration polices - shows their influence

Not influential in influencing the major parties

Have formed governments

Have not formed governments