Political-Parties

In the early 1960s, two American academics analyzed British attitudes to political authority.
They found a uniquely balanced attitude toward authority that stabilized democracy.
Key factors in this political culture include:
- Development of the franchise.
- Electoral system.
- Representative political parties.
This chapter examines these elements in the context of changing social composition in British society.

Research by Butler and Stokes indicates:
- Less than 5% of the British population are party members.
- About 3,000 people hold official political office.
- Over 70% of the population votes in general elections.
Voting influences House of Commons arithmetic and government formation.
Universal adult suffrage was achieved after a long historical process:
- Before 1832, the franchise was based on land ownership.
- The Great Reform Bill of 1832 increased the electorate by over 50%.
- The 1867 Act extended voting rights to male householders with one year of residency in urban areas.
- In 1928, women gained voting parity with men.

Each constituency has around 60,000 electors.
650 constituencies exist across the UK:
- 523 English, 72 Scottish, 38 Welsh, and 7 Northern Irish.
Voting system strengths:
1. Tends to lead to a clear victor.
2. Encourages positive voting.
3. Rarity of tactical voting.
4. Political stability with rare government failures.
5. Accountability via direct representation.
Weaknesses of the system:
1. Fails to account for constituency size variances.
2. Simple majority can lead to disproportionate outcomes.
3. The party with most votes might not have most seats.
4. Smaller parties often receive inadequate representation.

Additional Member System:
- Combines first-past-the-post with proportional representation.
- Voters cast two votes: one for a constituency member and one for a party list.
Single Transferable Vote System:
- Voters rank candidates in order of preference.
- Votes of lower-ranking candidates get transferred to higher preferences.

Political parties began to take shape in the late 18th century.
Major parties that have dominated since 1918 include:
- Conservative Party.
- Labour Party.
- Liberal Party.
The Whig and Tory parties evolved into the modern equivalents:
- Whigs are connected to the Liberals.
- Tories evolved into the Conservative Party.

Historically linked to:
- Sir Robert Peel in the 1830s.
- Disraeli in the 1870s.
Ideology has shifted but remains conservative, adapting over time.
Currently has the highest party membership, approximately 2 million members.

Founded in 1900, tied to the trade union movement.
Historically focused on the working class and socialist principles.
Internal tensions from the left and leadership challenges in the 1980s:
- Notable figures include Tony Blair, who moved the party towards the center.
Survived through ideological shifts and re-evaluating constituency base.

Historically significant but struggled for relevance, often sacrificing principles for respectability.
Formed coalitions with Labour in the 1980s.
Merged with the Social Democratic Party to form the Liberal Democrats, seeking to re-establish relevance in British politics.

Challenges of the 20th century forced adaptations in Liberal politics and coalition behaviors.
Political parties in the UK are shaped by historical legacies and ideologies that reflect societal changes and public demand.