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Topic 2: Political parties - Coggle Diagram
Topic 2: Political parties
2.1 The functions and features of political parties in the UK’s representative democracy. Party fundings.
Functions and features
Fucntions
To run in elections
To represent their communities and voters
To campagin on issues/policies
To prepare for government
Features
Usually have a leadership strucutre
Usually has a support base
Party fundings
Parties are mostly funded via donations
Donations can be large or small
2.2 The origins and historical development of the Conservative Party, the Labour Party and Liberal Democrat Party, and how this has shaped their ideas and current policies on the economy, law and order, welfare and foreign affairs.
Conservatives
Origins and development
Initially formed in 1834 they were one of two main parties alongside the Liberals who were later replaced by Labour.
Initially supported high toryism and traditional conservatism but adopted more modern conservatism such as one nation in the late 19th century
Later on, Thatcher helped the development of the new right which was a more right wing form of conservatism in the UK, mostly under her reign
Modern day
Currently influenced slightly by the new right under Badenochs direction
This can be seen in wanting to cut benefits and increasing defense spending
Some elements of progressive conservatism - mainly compared to Reform and Restore
Labour
Origins and development
Founded in 1900 as a more socialist party for the workers and working class and quickly overtook the liberal party to be one of the two great and major parties in the UK
Initially supported Old Labour policies such as nationalizing industries, workers rights, equality etc which got them into power with prime ministers such as Clement Attlee and Harold Wilson
The party underwent major splits in the 50's between the left wing faction led by Beven and the more centre faction led by Gaitskill but they were brought to unity by Harold Wilson in his time as Labour leader.
There were once again infighting in the 80's due to Labour under Micheal Foot's leadership taking the party to the extreme left which ended up resulting in some centralists MPs leaving to form the SDP
This eventually led to Kinnock reforming the party and kicking out extreme elements such as militant tendency to make the party be more centreist, a shift continued by Blair under New Labour
Modern day
Current leader of Andy Burnham seems to be going down the Old Labour route, with a national carers service planned as well as helping the more vulnerble
However there is still commitment to new labour, especially under the centralist leadership of Starmer and Burnham's commitment to fiscal responbility
Lib Dems
Origins and development
Founded in 1988 from the breakaway SDP and the delcing Liberal party
Originally started out with economic liberalism and general classical liberalism but very quickly came to represent modern liberlism
Modern Day
Generally represents modern liberalism but they do have hints of classical liberalism
Modern Liberalism is seen though though support for carers and non-binary people
Current leader Ed Davey seems to be leading the party in a more modern liberlism agenda
2.3 Emerging and minor UK political parties. The importance of other parties in the UK. The ideas and policies of two other minor parties.
Emerging and minor prties
These generally can be grouped into four ish groups
Single issue - these parties campaign on one single policy
EG: Party of Women (gender crtical/anti-transgender)
Regionalists/local parties - these are parties based around smaller geographical regions like Wales or local areas
Regionalists (EG: SNP, big party but only runs in Scotland)
Local area parties (EG: Hampshire independents - only runs in Hampshire)
Extremists - these parties usually sit on the fringe/extreme ends of the political spectrum
EG: The communist party - wants to introduce communism
Misc - parties that don't go into the other three groups (EG: Official Monster Raving Loony party - satire and taking the mickey out of politics)
Importance of other parties
Other parties are important in order to give voters choice as well as to give major parties accountability as so that they can stay true to the population
Ideas and policies of two other small parties
SNP
Scottish nationalist - wants a second independence referendum
Generally centre-left both economically and socially
Restore Britain
Generally right wing to far-right both economically and socially
Supports mass deportations
2.4 The development of a multi-party system and its implications for government. Various factors that affect party success – explanations of why political parties have succeeded or failed, including debates on the influence of the media.
The development of a multi-party system + implications for government
More and more people are growing sick and tired of tradional parties such as Labour and the COnservtives
Other parties have been more quick to support voter interests such as the Greens and Reform UK
This may test FPTP as it is not suited to a multi-party democracy and so therefore there may be hung parliaments and political chaos.
Factors that affect party success
Historical success - voters like to gravitate towards parties with good historical records and has a good chance at possibly winning
Debates - allows candidates and parties to showcase their policies and debate them
Media reporting - more positive stories are likely to attract voters while more negative stories are likely to do the oppsoite