Chapter 3 - Internal Party Democracy

Question 1

Define Internal Party Democracy

Answer 1

A measure of the extent to which rank and file members have genuine power within a given party

Question 2

Who proposed the current way in which Conservative leaders are currently elected?

Answer 2

William Hague (1998)

Question 3

Explain in 3 points how Conservative party leaders are elected

Answer 3

• Current MPs are nominated and seconded
• A series of ballots is held within Conservative MPs (lowest eliminated each time)
• Individual party members choose between the final two candidates

Question 4

Why is the electoral system for Conservative party leaders flawed?

Answer 4

Members don’t represent the electorate (smaller membership numbers)
MPs can tactically vote (EG. 2001- Ian Duncan Smith’s supporters got Kenneth Clarke through to final 2- obvious Duncan Smith would win)

Question 5

Explain in 3 points how Labour party leaders are elected

Answer 5

• 1/3 of the vote is given to Parliamentary Labour party, 1/3 to affiliated organisations, 1/3 to members
• Candidates need support from 12.5% of MPs (20% to challenge)
• Use of AV- if no majority- lowest candidate eliminated, etc.

Question 6

Define Affiliated Organisations

Answer 6

Groups that are formally linked to the Labour party without their members holding regular membership. Egs= Trade Unions & the Cooperative Society

Question 7

What are the advantages of the Labour leader election system? Name 3

Answer 7

Individual members on equal footing with MPs
OMOV
Union vote is now reduced
Unions and affiliated associations still have a say

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of the Labour leader election system? Name 3

Answer 8

There are far more individual party members than MPs/MEPs
Unions still have a huge say though their members don’t regularly vote for the party
May be no election where only one candidate is nominated (eg Brown)
A candidate can win without majority support from either PLP or members

Question 9

How are Lib Dem leaders elected? (3 points)

Answer 9

• Candidates need to be nominated by 200 members from 20 constituencies and need 10% of the Parliamentary party’s support
• STV system
• Majoritarian

Question 10

How are candidates selected in the Conservative party?

Answer 10

• Get onto ‘approved’ list after interview,
• apply to a CA constituency, get onto a short list
• win support from activists at party meeting

Question 11

Define what A-lists did? (Cons)

Answer 11

Required Conservatives to include women and ethnic minorities on their shortlists

Question 12

What are Husting events? (Cons)

Answer 12

Where party activists can pass judgement on prospective candidates

Question 13

What are Open Primaries? (Cons)

Answer 13

Safe seats (eg. Totnes 2009)- all constituency members voted for a Conservative candidate so they could have some say (cost £38,000)

Question 14

How are candidates selected in the Labour Party?

Answer 14

• Prospective candidates have to register with the NEC approved list
• Const LP then draw up shortlists
• Preferred candidates are chosen under the OMOV system

Question 15

How are candidates selected in the Lib Dem Party?

Answer 15

• Vetted by their national party
• Candidates can then apply to a constituency of their choice
• Ballot on shortlisted candidates then taken

Question 16

Which MPs were deselected in 1986 under Neil Kinnock?

Answer 16

Dave Nellist and Terry Fields

Question 17

How is policy formulated in the Conservative Party?

Answer 17

There is a national Policy Forum (created by William Hague), which uses greater consultation to make more informed policy decision

Question 18

What did John Major say of his party’s 1992 General Election manifesto?

Answer 18

‘It was all me’

Question 19

How is policy formulated in the Labour Party?

Answer 19

From 1997 Labour has had policy making events every two years. Policy formulated, then approved by NEC and then passed onto conference for approval

Question 20

How is policy formulated in the Lib Dem Party?

Answer 20

The bi-annual ‘Federal Conference’ is where English and whole country policy is formulated. Proposals put forward by Federal Policy Committee & other bodies