8 UK Political Parties Flashcards
(152 cards)
1
Q
What key structural fact makes parties more important in the UK than the US?
A
Parliamentary system of government in the UK
2
Q
Last time the UK didn’t have conventional ‘party government’, with the leader of the largest party as PM?
A
1923 Ramsay Macdonald - government lasted 9 months
3
Q
Example of how party government often means that parties are more important than the whole electorate?
A
In 2019, by virtue only of winning the Tory Party leadership election, Johnson became PM
4
Q
Parties are often described as a synthesis of change and continuity. How so?
A
- Ideologies stay constant
- Policies and interpretations of ideology change
5
Q
Example of how ideologies are constant but policies change?
A
Labour as the party of the working class has changed from a pledge to nationalise the ‘commanding heights of British industry’ in 1945 to a general concern at reducing inequality and poverty.
6
Q
Party functions
A
A political party’s key roles, primarily contesting elections and seeking to hold power
7
Q
Ideology
A
Core beliefs and ideas of political parties
8
Q
Is ideology much more significant in the UK than the US?
A
It was seen as so until recently, when growing polarisation in the US brought the view into doubt
9
Q
Most successful British party? Fact?
A
Conservative Party
Officeholders for ~2/3 of the time since 1900
10
Q
Why is the Conservative Party a paradox?
A
A party of the aristocracy, clergy and business that continues to win the support of the working class more effectively than the Labour Party
11
Q
Basic history of the Conservative Party?
A
Founded in 1834 from a union of the Tories and moderate Whigs
12
Q
4 main strands of the modern Conservative Party?
A
- One-nation conservatism
- Butskellite pragmatism
- Free market Thatcherism
- Traditional values
13
Q
One-nation conservatism
A
The idea of conservatism as a safeguard and a steward to the whole nation, with substantial interventions permissible to ensure the society remains healthy
14
Q
Key quote of Disraeli vis-a-viz one-nationism?
A
‘The palace is not safe when the cottage is not happy’
15
Q
2 modern examples of one-nation conservatism in the modern Conservative Party?
A
- Cameron and his claims to the ‘Big Society’ project
- Boris Johnson ‘members of our new one-nation government, a people’s government’
16
Q
One-nationism usually plays out with…
A
Some degrees of intervention to create vertical equity, but inequality preserved as a precondition of paternalism
17
Q
How did one-nationism evolve into the next key branch of conservatism?
A
After the Second World War, the battered Tory Party that emerged after the 1945 and 1950 electoral routs was forced to reproach with the Labour Party and concede common ground on some of the welfare state. Their one-nation ethos became the welfare state.
18
Q
3 key features of Butskellite conservatism?
A
- Acceptance of Keynesianism and the welfare state
- Europhilia, characterised by Ted Heath taking us into the European Community in 1973
- Named for the portmanteau of the names Hugh Gaitskell and RAB Butler, the former Labour leader in the 1950s and 1960s and the latter a prominent Tory chancellor
19
Q
Evidence Euroscepticism used to be the preserve of the Labour Party?
A
- Harold Wilson failed to take us in in 1967
- Jeremy Corbyn has positioned himself as a prominent Eurosceptic
20
Q
2 key examples of traditional values in the Conservative Party?
A
- Section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act
- 1993 John Major’s Back to Basics campaign
21
Q
Most controversial example of Tory traditional values?
A
1968 Enoch Powell and the Rivers of Blood speech
22
Q
Recent example of Tory traditional values on the backbenches?
A
2016 - blocked the relaxation of Sunday trading laws
23
Q
Why are traditional values in the Tory Party hard to define?
A
Some elements are considered right-wing populism, but others are genuinely concerned with some storied institution, for instance JRM and the Traditionalist faction in the modern Conservative Party is focussed on preserving aristocratic institutions, including the Catholic church
24
Q
Why is Thatcherism distasteful to the rest of conservatism?
A
Revolutionary and ideological, it does not sit easily with the idea of conservatism as an ideology of pragmatism and managed change
25
4 features of Thatcherism?
1. Took great inspiration from Anthony Fisher's IEA
2. Fierce foreign policy e.g. 1982 Falklands War
3. Union busting e.g. 1984 Trade Union Act and 1984-85 NUM strike
4. Privatisation and deregulation e.g. the Big Bang 1987
26
Thatcher's opinions on Europe?
1. An advocate of the single market and the customs union
2. 1988 Bruges speech - fear of EU reimposing the regulations which were stripped away in Britain
3. She won a hard-thought rebate from the EU
27
The modern conservative party can be considered a...
Mix of all the strands
## Footnote
Butskellism is not really a predominant force in Conservative politics since the Thatcherite revolution
28
Examples of how the modern Conservative Party takes inspiration from its various strands?
2019 manifesto:
One nation: maintain the Triple Lock
Butskellite: expand funding for the NHS, with 50,000 more nurses and 50 million more GP appointments per year
Traditional values: Keep the minimum voting age at 18
Thatcherism: Reduce economic inactivity and push the rollout of Universal Credit to ensure as such
29
2 main divisions within the modern Conservative Party with examples?
1. EU membership and the Brexit debate (ACRIMONIOUS)
2. Social issues - majority of Tory MPs voted against Cameron in 2013, the bill was sponsored by him, to legalise same-sex marriage
30
Origins of Labour?
1900 Farringdon Street Conference and the 1886 Riot Act after Lister's Mill in Bradford
31
What was Labour's original aim?
Simply to get representation for the UK's working class
32
Was the Labour Party always socialist?
No. Only adopted Clause IV in 1918 and scrapped in 1995 after John Smith's death
33
4 key strands of the Labour Party?
1. Socialism
2. Trade unionism
3. Internationalism
4. New Labour/the Third Way
34
3 features of Labour's economic socialism?
1. Came into prominence with the 1918 Clause IV, which was challenged in 1995
2. Always an umbrella for other socialists e.g. Eric Heffer and the Militant tendency in Liverpool
3. Waxes and wanes - 2017-19 partial renationalisation pledged
35
Eval on socialism in the modern Labour Party?
In decline.
1. 1995 and Clause IV
2. Election of Sir Keir Starmer is more centrist
36
3 features of Labour's trade unionism?
1. Strong links to established trade union movement e.g. Trade Union Block Vote
2. Bulk of funding e.g. Unite 3 million last 4 months of 2019
3. Weakened by 1984 Trade Union Act and the deindustrialisation process
37
Evidence not all unions are pro-Labour?
2020 - only 12 affiliated, with many major unions e.g. NEU not members
38
3 features of Labour's internationalism? Eval?
1. Ramsey MacDonald, first Labour PM, was a controversial pacifist
2. 1983 - Gerald Kaufman and the longest suicide note in history - unilateral nuclear disarmament
3. Intervention with Bush in Iraq/Afghanistan
39
3 features of Labour's Third Way element?
1. Thatcherism for Labour and making the party electable again
2. Fiscal dividend of growth e.g. 'education education education'
3. End of class and the 'Mondeo man' - the idea of a declining working class
40
Examples of how Corbyn's Labour balanced the various strands of Labour ideology?
1. Raise the minimum wage from 8.21 to 10 - Blairite
2. Renationalise the Big Six energy firms, the National Grid, the water industry, Royal Mail, railways and the BT broadband network - economic socialism
3. Remove anti-trade union legislation e.g. 2016 Trade Union Act - trade unionism
4. Humane treatment of immigrants, giving asylum seekers the right to work - internationalism
41
Evidence voters, like with Kinnock, rejected the more left-wing Labour Party?
Labour vote share fell from 40% to 32%
42
Evidence Labour's 2019 defeat might not have been due to them being too left wing?
Equivocal about Brexit e.g. called for a second referendum after a renegotiated deal
43
How has post-Corbyn Labour adjusted the balance of the various strands in the Labour movement?
1. Increase capital investment via 3.5bn in GREEN INVESTMENT - Blairite
2. Raise taxes on VAT at the standard rate of 20% from private schools - economic socialism, was argued for in 2019
3. 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars - globalist internationalism
4. New deal for working people - trade union reform
44
History of the Lib Dems?
1. Liberals were the main electoral rival until the 1920s, when they began to be squeezed by the Tories and Labour, suffered a serious split over Home Rule for Ireland.
2. By the 1930s stuck in permanent third party status
3. 1981 - SDP from right wing Tories and a sole Tory
4. 1988 SDP-Liberal merger after '83 and '87 electoral pact
45
4 branches of the modern Liberal Democrats?
1. Europhilia
2. Constitutionalism
3. Rights agenda
4. Voting reform
46
Example of Lib Dem Europhilia?
2019 - Stop Brexit
47
Constitutionalism of the Lib Dems?
1. 2011 AV referendum
2. Reduce voting age to 16 (2019)
3. Build a federal UK
48
Rights agenda of the Lib Dems?
1. 2019 - defend ECHR from Tories
2. 2010 Coalition Agreement - shot down ID cards
49
Lib Dems and voting reforms?
1. 2011 AV
2. 2019 - pledge to introduce STV and replace the House of Lords
50
How are the Lib Dems progressive from their recent manifestos?
2019 - Restore corporation tax to 20% from 17%
2024 - Ed Davey calls for a windfall tax on energy companies
51
Recent Lib Dem manifesto analysis?
1. Free personal care in England (means tested social care) - progressivism
2. 4bn tax on banks - progressivism
3. Rejoin the single market - Europhilia
4. Give 16 year olds the right to vote - voting reform
5. Protect the ECHR - constitutionalism
52
Recent Conservative manifesto analysis?
1. Return of Help to Buy - one-nationism
2. Abolition of NIC for the self-employed - Thatcherism
3. Increase PCSOs by 8000 - traditionalism
4. A cap on social care costs at 86,000 - Butskellism
53
Evidence coalition government was a disaster for the Lib Dems?
2010 - 57 seats
2015 - 8
2017 - 12
2019 - 11
54
The most open and internally democratic party is undoubtedly...
The Lib Dems
55
Party structure
The organisation of political parties at both the local and the national level
56
4 elements of party structure we can compare?
1. Local level structure
2. National level structure
3. Local level policy making systems
4. National level policy making systems
57
Local level structure of each of the main parties.
1. CONSERVATIVES - Local Conservative Associations (LCAs), occasionally with subordinate ward branches
2. LABOUR - Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) with Branch Labour Parties (BLPs) below them
3. LIBERAL DEMOCRATS - Constituency parties, but most distinct feature is the system of national parties organised into an overarching FEDERAL STRUCTURE
58
Local level policy-making structure of each of the main parties?
1. CONSERVATIVES - LCAs increasingly less power - often just in charge of running campaigns. Reduced power to pick candidates
2. LABOUR - CLP is front and centre in local and national election campaigns
3. LIB DEMS - Local branches organise campaigns, but also are able to submit policy motions to annual conference
59
National level structure of the Conservatives
1. CCHQ in Westminster
2. Board of the Conservative Party does every day running
3. Around 18 members on the board, only 3 or so of which are grassroots
60
Evidence Conservatives are not a big fan of their own grassroots?
Only 3 of the approximately 18 members of the Board of the Conservative Party are grassroots
61
When does Conservative grassroots get its day in the sun?
Annual Convention
62
National level structure of Labour?
1. Labour HQ is Southwark, London
2. National Executive Committee (NEC) does day-to-day running
3. Around 40 members on the NEC
63
3 facts about the NEC?
1. Highly factionalised - e.g. April 2020 Progress and Labour First NEC candidates were elected in a victory for Starmer - there are moderate/not Corbynite
2. Has the power to enforce party discipline and expel members
3. Day-to-day running. Based in Southwark
64
National level structure of the Lib Dems?
1. Headquartered at Vincent Square, London
2. The Federal Board is the national governing body
65
Facts about Federal Board?
AS OF 2025:
1. 16 voting members
2. Party President is chair
3. Leader, leaders of the 6 Federal Committees, the chairs of the 3 national parties, a councillor, a YL rep and 3 other directly elected members
66
How have the Conservatives attempted to improve their membership's involvement with policy making? Eval?
1998 Conservative Policy Forum
## Footnote
Remains advisory - manifestos still the preserve of the leader and their acolytes
67
Example of Tory leaders writing their own manifesto?
1. 1992 John Major - 'it was all me'
2. 2019 - Rachel Wolf co-wrote Tory manifesto - advisor during Cameron premiership
68
How does the Labour Party make party policy?
1. It's annual conference was the sovereign body until the 1990s, but its role has since diminished
2. Blair reformed the system with the introduction of the National Policy Forum. More than 200 members from different backgrounds. Publishes commissions etc.
3. Policies of the NPF are then voted on by the party conference. Leader can use rational influence here
4. The leader and their team then write the manifesto and it is approved by the NEC
69
How does the Labour Party make party policy?
1. Its annual conference was the sovereign body until the 1990s, but its role has since diminished. 2. Blair reformed the system with the introduction of the National Policy Forum. More than 200 members from different backgrounds. Publishes commissions etc. 3. Policies of the NPF are then voted on by the party conference. Leader can use rational influence here. 4. The leader and their team then write the manifesto and it is approved by the "Clause V meeting" of various Labour movement stakeholders, including the NEC. THIS DOES NOT REQUIRE APPROVAL by the stakeholders, only a consensus.
70
What is the Lib Dem policy making structure?
Most democratic. Motions are passed at conference and become party policy. Policies that only affect one area are voted on by their national party in their annual devolved conference. Reflects the federal nature of the party.
71
When did Labour membership peak?
552,000 in June 2017 during Corbyn leadership, making Labour the biggest political party in Europe.
72
What are Specified Associated Organisations?
Groups with links to the Lib Dems, e.g., LDER.
73
What evidence is there that Lib Dem membership is soaring?
Over 90,000 at the moment, up from 44,700 in 2014.
74
What are the 3 steps all parties follow in the selection of parliamentary candidates?
1. Potential candidates are approved by the central organisation of the party. 2. The local party selects candidates from the central party list. 3. Constituency members vote to select the parliamentary candidate.
75
What is the Tory party candidate selection process?
1. Parliamentary Assessment Board tests your suitability for parliamentary office. 2. Once on the central list, you can apply to get shortlisted for PPC. Local branches will choose you. 3. The selection of the PPC is ratified by a vote of LCA party members.
76
What evidence shows all-women shortlists are effective?
37 female Labour MPs in 1992 and 101 female Labour MPs in 1997.
77
Who pioneered all-women shortlists?
Labour in 1997.
78
How have the Conservatives tried to increase their candidate diversity?
1. A-lists - priority lists given to central parties. 2. Primary elections, e.g., in Gosport.
79
What evidence is there that shortlists are disliked by local parties?
2017 Bridgend Conservatives accused the central party of imposing candidate shortlists on the constituency party. 2019 NEC accused of fast-tracking longlists of favoured candidates in some constituencies, e.g., Ealing North.
80
What is an example of how all-women shortlists have not died out?
In 2017, the party announced plans to use all-women shortlists in almost 50 of its top target seats.
81
What are public hustings?
Parliamentary candidates answer questions in front of the public or party members.
82
What do all parties have for their leadership election?
A two-stage system: 1. Nomination by a certain number of MPs/local parties. 2. Final election by party members.
83
What do all three parties use to elect the leader in the second round?
OMOV - one member one vote.
84
What is the selection process for the Tory leader?
1. 1922 Committee sets the rules, but changes it each time. 2. A defined list of candidates are voted on by MPs until only two remain. 3. An OMOV vote is then held.
85
What is an example of a leadership contest with many contenders in the Tory Party?
In 2019, 9 MPs stood and then Jeremy Hunt and Boris were left for the membership vote.
86
What is an example of how the Conservative party leadership election may be defective?
In 2024, James Cleverly was knocked out in the final round of MP voting contrary to expectations due to excessive tactical voting.
87
What is the Labour leadership election process?
1. Candidates secure the backing of 20% of Labour MPs (10% before 2021). 2. Then they secure 5% of CLPs or at least 3 affiliates, 2 of which must be trade unions. 3. OMOV on AV.
88
What is an example of how the affiliate requirement in Labour Party elections may restrict democracy?
Emily Thornberry in 2020 couldn't secure affiliate support.
89
What evidence shows AV for elections in Labour leadership is often insignificant?
In 2020, Keir Starmer won the first round so no need for subsequent rounds.
90
Has there ever been a female Labour leader?
No.
91
What is the leadership election process in the Lib Dems?
1. 10% of other Lib Dem MPs. 2. Support of 200 members from more than 20 local parties. 3. OMOV AV election.
92
What was the last Lib Dem leadership election?
Ed Davey in 2020 with 63.5% of the vote.
93
How are Lib Dems involved in policy-making?
1. Biannual conference. 2. Motions submitted in advance, debated and voted on. 3. No policy can become party policy without a conference vote.
94
What process does Labour use to elect its deputy leader?
The same process as for its leader (Angela Rayner in 2020).
95
What evidence shows leadership contests are not always vituperative?
In 2016, May was elected unopposed as Leadsom withdrew. In 2007, Gordon Brown stood alone.
96
Why might centralised control be in the interest of parties?
Members tend to be more ideologically extreme than the general population.
97
What evidence shows Labour might have been 'too' democratic?
In 2015, members who paid £3 could join as registered supporters and vote. 100,000 did, of which 84% supported Corbyn.
98
How did Labour reform the affiliated supporters loophole?
1. In 2016, the fee was raised to £25. 2. In 2021, Starmer changed the rules so that registered supporters could not vote in leadership elections.
99
Which party gives the most power to MPs?
Tories - only top two candidates progress.
100
What evidence shows Labour's leadership election put too much power in the hands of the membership in 2015?
15.5% of MPs backed Corbyn, but he won anyway - so in 2021 Starmer raised the threshold for PLP support from 10% to 20%.
101
What evidence shows all parties have increased internal democracy in recent years?
1. Before 1998, the Tories chose their leader by MPs alone - William Hague introduced the two round system. 2. Before 2014, 2/3 of second round votes were reserved for the 'block vote', which was trade unions + MPs and other affiliates.
102
What is the Corbyn membership surge an example of?
Entryism.
103
What are the two articles of party funding legislation?
1. Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (PPERA) 2000. 2. Political Parties and Elections Act (PPEA) 2009.
104
What are the facts about PPERA 2000?
1. All political parties must register with the Electoral Commission. 2. All parties must provide the Electoral Commission with regular returns of their income and expenditure. 3. £30,000 spend limit per constituency. 4. Must declare all large donations, over £7,500 as of 2020. 5. Campaign finance rules for referendums. 6. You can be fined for breaking the rules.
105
How have the Tories increased their candidate diversity?
A-lists.
106
Do delegates at the Conservative party conference vote on policy? Eval?
No. No other party is quite this autocratic.
107
What are 3 facts about Lib Dem policy making?
1. Federal Policy Committee, some MPs - makes central policy which is put to conference. 2. Any member can also make their own policy proposal to conference. 3. Conference votes on all.
108
What is an example of a group fined for violating PPERA?
Leave.EU in 2018 was fined £70,000.
109
What are the facts about PPEA 2009?
1. Increased the powers of the Electoral Commission. 2. Major donations or loans can only come from UK residents. 3. Must be clear about the source of donations.
110
What are 3 sources of party funding?
1. Membership funding. 2. Individual donors. 3. State funding.
111
What is the evaluation of membership funding?
1. Membership fees and small gifts from membership have fallen due to declining party membership. 2. However, it is widely agreed to be the fairest and most transparent way, since no single donor gets undue influence.
112
What is an example of parties depending on large individual donations?
1. In 2019, £3 million from Unite alone. 2. In 2019, Tories raised more than £5.67 million from wealthy individuals in the first week alone. 3. In 2019, £2 million from Christopher Harborne towards the Brexit Party.
113
What are 2 evidences for large donor corruption?
1. In 1997, Bernie Ecclestone donated £1 million to Labour and subsequently there was a delay in the tobacco advertising ban in Formula 1. 2. 20% of Tory Leader's Group (over £50,000) got honours.
114
What is an example of 'cash for honours' with the Tories?
Michael Farmer received a peerage in 2014. He has given more than 6m to the Tories 2012-22
115
Which party receives the most from individual donations?
Conservatives - received over £13 million in 2019.
116
What are the 5 sources of state funding?
1. Short Money - House of Commons scrutiny money. 2. Cranborne Money - House of Lords scrutiny money. 3. Policy Development Grants - £2 million annually in total. 4. Royal Mail - 1 free campaign leaflet to every elector. 5. BBC - Party Political Broadcasts.
117
What evidence shows Tories are overfunded and Labour underfunded?
In 2019, Tories got 63.5% of total funds in registered donations, Labour only 17.6%.
118
What are 4 arguments in favour of state funding?
1. State money would not imply a quid pro quo/corruption reduced. 2. Parties on an equal footing. 3. If it were done by vote, it would reduce tactical campaigning. 4. Recommended by reports.
119
What are 2 reports which recommend state funding?
2007 Phillips Report and 2011 Committee on Standards in Public Life Report.
120
What are 4 arguments against state funding of political parties?
1. Voters should not be forced to fund parties with which they disagree. 2. Might not increase representation if smaller parties do not get a fair share. 3. Reduce incentives to recruit members. 4. Better uses of government spending.
121
What evidence shows trade unions can influence Labour policy?
Unite cut funding by 10% after Starmer became leader over concerns of softening of Labour stance.
122
Why is TV media less partisan than newspaper media in the UK?
More strictly regulated for impartiality.
123
What is an example of a paper smearing a political opponent?
In 2019, the Sun described Corbyn as 'the most dangerous man ever to stand for high office in Britain.'
124
What is an example of a famous newspaper intervention?
In 1992, 'It's The Sun Wot Won It.'
125
Which report condemned the newspaper barons?
2012 Leveson Inquiry.
126
What evidence shows the influence of newspapers can be decisive?
In 1997, the Sun endorsement gave Labour an estimated 525,000 extra votes. In 2010, Tory endorsement sent 550,000 voters back.
127
What evidence shows leaders pander to Murdoch?
1. Blair flew to Australia to secure Murdoch's support in '97. 2. Murdoch and his associates met with Cameron 26 times during his first 15 months as PM.
128
What is a key evaluation on newspaper influence?
Readership has halved since 1992, and social media is more important.
129
What are the facts on social media spending?
In 2019, Labour spent £1.4 million and Tories £900,000.
130
What are 6 factors affecting parties and electoral outcomes?
1. Relevance of policies. 2. Leadership. 3. Committed and energised activists. 4. Strength of opposition. 5. Party unity. 6. Electoral system.
131
What is an example of when relevance of policies won an election?
In 2019, 'Get Brexit Done.'
132
What is an example of leadership affecting an election?
Theresa May's 'dalek messaging' versus Corbyn at Glastonbury in 2017 and 2019.
133
What is an example of how parties need unity to win elections?
1. Ian Austin and the anti-semitism scandal in Labour - Ian Austin resigned in disgust, he didn't do anything. 2. 21 rebel MPs in Tories lost the whip, including Phillip Hammond - party loyalty.
134
What is an example of how the electoral system can be decisive in elections?
In 2019, 11% of total vote resulted in only 1.7% of seats. FOR LIB DEMS
135
What evidence shows leadership can trump policies?
In 2019, 60% supported taxing the rich and 56% supported railway renationalisation, but 70% disliked Corbyn.
136
Are all minor parties hurt by FPTP?
No, SNP is overrepresented.
137
What is an example of how regional parties can influence policy?
1. DUP and 2017 coalition. 2. In 2019, SNP won 48 seats - it was pressure from SNP that caused the indyRef.
138
What evidence shows regional parties are significant in Northern Ireland?
When Tories directly contested Northern Ireland in 2024, they only won 0.1% of the vote, with 553 votes.
139
What is an example of parties punished for their records?
1. In 1997, due to sleaze/incumbency. 2. In 2015, due to coalition.
140
What is an example of policy failure?
Dementia tax - if you have more than £100,000 of assets, you would pay for your own personal care - 2017 election dogged.
141
How do minor parties pressure the incumbent parties and an example?
Single-issue parties can be significant in forcing a change in policy. E.g., in 2014, UKIP got 26% of the vote and won the EP elections, which was decisive in Cameron's call for a referendum ahead of the 2015 election.
142
What is an example of minor parties pressuring major parties from 2025?
Reform council victories on 1/5/25 - Yvette Cooper announces reforms to student immigration loophole.
143
How did the Brexit Party pressure the Tories in 2019?
After winning the EP elections with 31% of the vote, Tory party members picked Boris weeks later - coincidence?
144
What is an example of the Green Party helping progressive allies?
In 2017, 2 marginal seats swung to Lib Dems because Greens endorsed Lib Dem to keep Conservatives out.
145
What is an example of how independent parties don't fare well?
In 2019, Change UK - pro-Remain Tories and Labour - lost all 5 MPs in 2019 and is now defunct.
146
What evidence shows the voting system preserves a two-party duopoly?
In 2010, two parties won a combined 65% and in 2019, the combined vote share is 76%. Both cases the two-party seat share is 87%.
147
What are 5 arguments that a multiparty system does exist in the UK?
1. Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and European Parliament. 2. In 2019, more than 1100 independent councillors. 3. More cross bench peers than Labour or Lib Dem. 4. Coalitions. 5. Pressure on incumbent parties, e.g., Brexit.
148
What are 4 arguments against a multiparty system?
1. Since 1922, only Tories or Labour have governed as the major party. 2. 87% combined share in 2019. 3. In 2017, 2 parties won more than 80% combined for the first time since the 1980s. 4. Electoral system.
149
What is recent evidence for an end to the two-party duopoly?
In 2024: 1. Two-party share is 57.4% since 1922. 2. 2024 - most third parties since 1923. 3. 85% less than 50% of the vote.
150
What evidence shows the 2024 swing was significant?
It was the 2nd largest in history.
151
What evidence shows multiparty resurrection in 2025?
1. Reform on 26% in Politico polls (April). 2. 1st May council elections - Reform gains 677 councillors, including seizing control of councils such as Durham.
152
Evidence Labour has drawn closer to unions since election?
Labour proposed plans in October 2024 to reduce the threshold for union recognition from 10% of workforce to 2%
