Political Parties

What is a political party? A group of people with the same viewpoint that represent communities inside Parliament. They voice their opinions and causes for change.

What is the difference between left and right wing? Left wing desires reform and change to how society operates. Right wing want little to no change and express the importance of hierarchy and stability.

Functions of a political party:

  • represent the people

  • encourage people to vote for them

  • provide new memberships/opportunity for new candidates

  • create policies shaped by their values + what their followers will vote them for

  • government push their manifesto into law and select a part leader to do it

Manifestos and Mandates

Manifestos are published pre-election and state all aims and policies the party wants to cover (economy, foreign policy, health and education). Used to influence electorates to vote for them. Parties can be held accountable by the public if their manifesto doesn’t match the proposals the party/PM does during their time in Government. Mandates are the consent granted to a winning party at election time which legitimises all the manifesto commitments.

2024 manifesto examples

  • Labour manifesto - don’t want to raise Income tax, National Insurance or VAT. Want to give 16&17 year olds the right to vote. Want to cut NHS times down. Want to tackle childhood obesity.

  • Conservative manifesto - Want to half number of people migrating into UK. Cut national insurance by 2%. Increase NHS spendings. Mandatory National Service for all school leavers at 18.

  • LibDem manifesto - want to focus on social care, the NHS, sewage, taxing water companies, school meals for children, immigration and refugees.

The Salisbury Convention

Ensure all major Government bills presented in the winning parties manifesto can be passed without being blocked in the House of Lords.

Party Funding

The main ways parties raise funding to cover costs are:

  • Collecting membership subscriptions

  • fundraising events in MP’s constituencies

  • donations from supporters

  • loans from wealthy individuals or banks

  • self-financing of candidates for office

  • grants from Electoral Commission (up to ÂŁ2M available per party)