2.3.1 - Political parties & participation in Politics

Question 1

Question 1
What are the main roles of Political Parties?

Answer 1

• Representation – Express the views of party members.
• Participation – Enable members & individuals to engage in politics.
• Political Recruitment – Select candidates & future leaders.
• Policy Formulation – Debate & develop policies into manifestos.
• Providing Stable Government – Organizes Parliament into structured governance.

Question 2

Question 2
What is a two-party system?

Answer 2

A political system where two major parties dominate elections & government. In the UK, Labour & Conservatives have controlled governance since WWII.

Question 3

Question 3
What is a political party?

Answer 3

An organization that coordinates candidates for elections based on shared political ideas & policies.

Question 4

Question 4
What are the Key Features of UK Political Parties?

Answer 4

• Strong membership base.
• Shared ideology, goals & policies.
• Participation in elections at different levels of government.

Question 5

Question 5
What are the roles within a Political party?

Answer 5

• Party Leader – Leads the party (e.g., Keir Starmer, Labour).
• Frontbencher – Holds key positions in Parliament (e.g., Mel Stride, Conservative Shadow Chancellor).
• Backbencher – MP without a ministerial role (e.g., Andrew Ranger, Labour).
• Party Member – General supporters (e.g., Michael Caine, Gary Barlow, Conservative members).

Question 6

Question 6
How is policy made in ruling parties?

Answer 6

They draft bills to address national issues aligned with party policy.

Question 7

Question 7
How is policy made in opposition parties?

Answer 7

They propose alternatives to government policies, shaping potential legislation for future governance.

Question 8

Question 8
What is aggregation in politics?

Answer 8

The process of combining policy ideas & data to create appealing electoral messages.

Question 9

Question 9
How has political representation evolved?

Answer 9

Increased diversity in representatives allows governments to reflect society’s changing interests.

Question 10

Question 10
What is populism?

Answer 10

A political strategy appealing to ordinary people who feel disregarded by elites.

Question 11

Question 11
Why do populist parties emerge?

Answer 11

• Disillusionment with established politics.
• Economic & social grievances among voters.
• Desire for direct action over bureaucratic governance.

Question 12

Question 12
What are the Origins of the Conservative Party?

Answer 12

1830s. Founded after Robert Peel’s Tamworth Manifesto, emphasizing stability & conservatism. Longest time in power: 1979-97 (Thatcher & Major).

Question 13

Question 13
What are the Origins of the Labour Party?

Answer 13

1900s. Originated from the Labour movement & socialism; Trade Union Congress influential. Longest time in power: 1997-2010 (Blair & Brown).

Question 14

Question 14
What are the Origins of the Lib Dems?

Answer 14

Merged in 1980s – Originally the Liberal Party (300+ years in existence). Longest in power: 1905-22 (Asquith & Lloyd-George).

Question 15

Question 15
What are the Origins of the Plaid Cymru?

Answer 15

1925 – Welsh nationalist party focused on Welsh independence & cultural preservation.

Question 16

Question 16
What are the Origins of the Welsh Labour?

Answer 16

1947 – All-Welsh Labour unit formed, permanently in power since the 1999 Senedd creation.

Question 17

Question 17
What are the Origins of the Reform UK?

Answer 17

2018 – Evolved from the Brexit Party, focused on populist policies under Nigel Farage.

Question 18

Question 18
What are the main political parties leadership election system?

Answer 18

• Conservatives – 10 MP nominations → 1922 Committee selects 6 contenders → 5 MP vote rounds → 1 membership vote round → elimination system.
• Labour – 10% MP nominations, trade union support possible, membership votes.
• Liberal Democrats – MP must secure 10% of nominations, membership vote via STV system.
• Plaid Cymru – Requires party group support, one-member-one-vote system.
• Welsh Labour – 20% MS nominations, STV system replaces electoral college.
• Reform UK – Nominees declare intention, STV system used for leadership vote.

Question 19

Question 19
What are Party factions in the Conservative Party?

Answer 19

Thatcherism, One Nation Conservatives, Blue Collar Conservatism, Commonsense Group.

Question 20

Question 20
What are Party factions in the Labour Party?

Answer 20

New Labour, Labour First, Hard Left, Blue Labour.

Question 21

Question 21
What are Party factions in the Lib Dems?

Answer 21

Lib Reform, Beveridge Group, Orange Book, Lib Dem Voice.

Question 22

Question 22
What are Party factions in the Plaid Cymru?

Answer 22

Traditional Nationalists, Progressive Left.

Question 23

Question 23
What are Party factions in the Welsh Labour?

Answer 23

Centrist/Devolutionists, Traditional Labour Left.

Question 24

Question 24
What are Party factions in the Reform UK?

Answer 24

Don’t have enough MPs to have any.

Question 25

Question 25 What are the Roles of Political Party Members?

Answer 25

* Policy Development – Shape party policies through meetings & consultations. * Candidate Selection – Participate in choosing candidates for elections. * Campaigning & Activism – Canvass, fundraise & promote party agendas. * Holding Leadership Accountable – Influence party direction through conferences & votes. * Grassroots Engagement – Connect party leadership with local concerns. * Party Discipline & Unity – Maintain party cohesion & adherence to policies.

Question 26

Question 26 What is the Importance of Party Members?

Answer 26

* Democratic Participation – Ensure parties represent their supporters. * Electoral Success – Mobilize voters & strengthen campaigns. * Policy Legitimacy – Make policies reflective of public opinion. * Leadership Accountability – Prevent excessive power centralization. * Local Representation – Highlight regional concerns in policy discussions. * Political Stability – Maintain continuity within party structures.

Question 27

Question 27 What are debates on party & Candidate funding?

Answer 27

* Transparency vs. Influence – Concerns over wealthy donors shaping policies. * Public vs. Private Funding – Debate over reliance on private donations vs. state funding. * Donation Limits – Proposals to cap individual donations to reduce influence. * Trade Union & Corporate Donations – Labour's union funding vs. Conservative corporate donations. * Electoral Commission Oversight – Critics argue enforcement is inconsistent. * Unincorporated Associations – Anonymous donations raise transparency concerns.

Question 28

Question 28 What is ‘Cash for Influence’ & Its Political Impact?

Answer 28

* Access to Power – Large donors often receive privileged political access. * Honours & Appointments – Past scandals involve donors receiving peerages. * Lobbying & Policy Shaping – Financial backing influencing legislative outcomes. * Election Spending Disparities – Wealthier parties outspending rivals, affecting competition. * Calls for Reform – Debates over stricter regulations & increased public funding.