Political Parties

A group of likeminded people who aim to achieve their objectives by fielding candidates to political office.

Roles of Parties

  • Select Candidates -

  • Representation - reflecting the views of their members and voters, (however membership has been in decline since the 50s)

  • Political Participation - allow people to have a greater role and influence on politics through becoming a member

    • electing a leader - 2022 Liz Truss was elected on 57% of the member’s vote.

  • Government/opposition roles - ensure that a single government is formed which is able to safely pass legislation + fill opposition role to hold gov accountable

  • Creating Policy - presented to voters in manifesto - eg. 2019 manifesto pledges

    • Brexit by Jan 2020 + no income tax rises

    • Second ref on Brexit + National Care service

  • Recruiting Politicians - recruit people who they feel are most suitable to stand for public office

    • some parties have all women shortlists for certain constituencies

  • Clear choice at elections - ensures that voters support the party whose policies align most with them - prevents us having to memorise 650 MPs’ individual policy positions

The objectives of parties are to win seats, allowing them to pass legislation and fulfill their policy aims

Recent Party Funding Scandals

  • Lubov Chernukhin

    • £2 million + to conservatives (largest female donor)

    • given £150,000 leveling up grant

  • Peter Cruddas

    • £3 million to conservatives

    • recommended for a peerage by Johnson

Past Party Funding Reforms:

  • PPERA

    • Political Parties, Election and Referendums Act (2000)

      • Independent Electoral Commission (publicly recorded party funding)

      • Limit of £30,000/ constituency election

      • Record of donations of £7,500+

  • PEEA

    • Political Parties and Elections Act (2009)

      • Electoral Commission could investigate + fine parties that broke PPERA

      • Limits funding from non-UK residents

      • Lowered donation threshold that must be made public

Pros of Further Party Funding Reform:

  • Transparency: Reform would increase transparency in political financing by requiring parties to disclose their funding sources.

  • Give politicians time to serve constituencies rather than fundraisers

  • Leveling the Playing Field: Reform can reduce the advantage of wealthy parties, allowing for fairer competition among all political parties.

    • Cons + Lab = 80% of total spending - disproportionate impact

  • Enhancing Democracy: Reform promotes a more inclusive political system by reducing financial barriers

  • Would allow parties to greater research policy, and give a strong opposition to gov which is good for democracy.

    • Already get £2 million policy development money

Cons of Party Funding Reform:

  • Limiting Freedom of Speech: Some argue that reform may infringe on the right to express political views through financial support.

  • Less incentive for parties to engage with members if the membership fee is not needed

    • Doesn’t matter + not true as membership has already been declining since 50s

  • Could suggest that parties are servants of the state if they received state funding

    • They already do! (short money ect…)

  • NOT NECESSARY -

    • Money doesn’t always equal seats case study - 2019 campaign:

      • Brexit Party spent £4.15 million (13.5% of total spending) and didn’t win a single seat

      • SNP spent just under £25,000 (0.1% of spending) and won 48 seats (2019)

Significance of Other parties

  • Represent the views and opinions of devolved nations

    • Plaid Cymru - road signs in 2 languages

    • SNP - 45% scottish support - push for independence (not supported by any other party in westminster )

      • Counter - Devolved govs don’t have equal weight in westminster, so therefore cannot always defend the interests of their local areas

        • Eg. Brexit Ref - Scotland voted 62% remain, yet was forced to leave.

      • Furthermore, devolved nations do not rely other parties to represent them

        • Large presence of main parties in Scotland eg. conservatives were second largest party in 2016 under ruth davidson, showing that smaller parties do not have a monopoly of power over devolved areas.

  • Widen the debate by shifting Overton’s window

    • UKIP’s euroscepticism shaped the debate around the EU and pressured david cameron into calling a referendum

    • SNPs gender recognition reforms, even if they aren’t successful, sparked debate in UK

      • Not every party has much impact

        • Women’s equality party has only 2 parish council seats and has had little impact on the debate around gender equality.

  • Smaller parties can achieve their political aims by entering into coalition with larger parties

    • 2010 Lib Dems got:

      • Deputy PM

      • 5 cabinet seats

      This allowed them to Put forwards the fixed term parliaments act 2011 and end income tax on those with an income below £10,000/yr

      • However, this doesn’t guarantee achieving all aims

        • Lib dems were not able to scrap uni fees

    • Smaller parties are able to represent the views of minorities

      • However, large parties also represent a wide range of views, eg. conservatives legalised gay marriage

Principles of political Parties