2.1.1 Functions and Features of UK Political Parties

The Functions and Features of Political Parties

Features

The United Kingdom operates under a representative democracy, where citizens vote for Members of Parliament (MPs) who make decisions on their behalf.

MPs are held accountable through regular general elections. Historically, the UK political landscape has evolved from independent politicians to a party system since the English Civil War. Voters now generally choose from a range of political parties representing various ideologies from left to right.

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The Political Spectrum in the UK

Left-wing Political Ideas:

• Emphasize a positive role for the state and collective welfare.
• Advocate for reducing inequality through welfare and redistributive taxation.
• Support government intervention in the economy, including nationalization of key industries.
• Favor strong relations with trade unions and support for the working class.
• Promote multiculturalism and social progressiveness.

Right-wing Political Ideas:

• Prioritize individual control over their lives with minimal government interference.
• Oppose extensive welfare state and government-led equality measures.
• Advocate for low taxation and limited union influence to promote free market efficiency.
• Encourage privatization of nationalized firms.
• Support traditional lifestyles and national identity.

Key Terms:

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Political Party Ideologies

Political parties comprise members with similar ideologies, but there can be significant variation within parties. For example, the Conservative Party ranges from one-nation Conservatives to more libertarian New Right members. The Labour Party includes factions from New Labour centrists to the socialist-leaning Momentum group.

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Functions of Political Parties

1. Selecting Candidates:

Candidates must gain approval from the party and local activists, especially in safe seats. For instance, Momentum has used this process to favor candidates supportive of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.

2. Providing Government Personnel:

Political parties supply candidates for public office, contributing to the functioning of government.

This includes local, devolved, and national positions. For example, the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition in 2010 was formed through such contributions.

3. Electing Leaders:

Party members also play a role in electing party leaders. In the Conservative Party, MPs vote on leadership contenders, with the final decision made by the party membership, as seen in David Cameron's victory in 2005.

4. Policy Formulation:

Parties determine policies that form their election manifesto. Labour's National Policy Forum and the Conservative Party's member consultations exemplify how parties involve various stakeholders in policy development.

5. Campaigning:

During elections, parties campaign to communicate their message to voters through leaflets, canvassing, and social media. This engagement is crucial in informing the electorate and mobilizing support.

6. Mobilising consent for government

Without the existence of Political parties, it would be extremely difficult to form governments and representative democracies. It would be impossible for individual politicians to establish government and effectively mobilise consent for policies and legislation.

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Do Political Parties Help or Hinder Representative Democracy?

Help:

• Essential for representative democracy by uniting members under common ideologies, enabling coherent policy development.
• Provides voters with clear choices and ensure government accountability.
• Political parties agree and develop a manifesto to allow voters to make rational and educated choices on who they are voting for. Voters are now able to associate candidates with a particular manifesto.
• Organize parliamentary business and select suitable candidates for elections.

Hinder:

• May reduce voter choice by limiting candidates to those aligned with party manifestos. You may agree on a certain policy and disagree on another.
• Can lead to internal party conflicts and factionalism, resulting in a polarized society. This means parties focus on their differences as opposed to co-operating effectively and coming to a reasoned compromise.
• Dominance in funding and influence can stifle smaller parties and centralize decision-making.
• Political parties have been associated with corruption of powers and taking advantage of their position.