Political Parties

Question 1

Functions of Political Parties Examples

Answer 1

Representation :
- The Labour Party represents the interests of workers and trade unions.
- The Conservative Party traditionally represents business and free - market policies.

Policy & Formulation :
- The Green Party focuses on environmental policies , e.g. pledging to achieve net - zero emissions by 2030.
- The Conservative Party’s 2019 Manifesto included commitments to “level up” regions and invest in infrastructure.

Recruitment & Leadership :
- Sunak became Conservative leader and PM in 2022 , following a leadership contest after Truss’ resignation.
- Starmer was elected Labour leader in 2020 , succeeding Jeremy Corbyn.

Question 2

Types of Political Parties Examples

Answer 2

Major Parties :
- Conservative Party : Focuses on free markets , traditional values and reducing public spending.
- Labour Party : Advocates for workers’ rights , public ownership and reducing inequality.

Minor Parties :
- LibDems : Advocate for constitutional reform and civil liberties ( e.g. opposition to Brexit ).
- UKIP : Played a significant role during the Brexit campaign.
- Green Party : Focused on climate change , social justice and sustainable policies.

Single - Issue Parties :
- Reform UK ( formerly Brexit party ) : Campaigned solely for leaving the EU.
- SNP : Advocates for Scottish Independence.

Question 3

Party Systems Examples

Answer 3

Two Party System :
- Dominance of Labour and Conservative parties in Westminster elections ( e.g. Lab won 412 seats in 2024 , Con won 365 seats and Lab won 202 seats in 2019 ).

Multi - party System :
- In Scottish Parliament , SNP were dominant prior to 2024 but parties like Lab play key roles.
- In NI Assembly , power - sharing agreement exists between Sinn Féin and the DUP.

Question 4

Party Funding Example

Answer 4

Donations :
- Con party receive large donations from businesses and wealthy individuals , e.g. £194 million during 2019 GE.
- Lab party relies on trade union funding , e.g. received £5.4 million from Unite in 2019.

Controversies :
- Concerns over “cash for access” , such as “Tory sleaze” scandals or allegations of Russian - linked donations to the Conservatives.

Question 5

Ideological Shifts & Factions Examples

Answer 5

Conservatives :
- Shift from Thatcherism ( free - market policies , privatisation ) to ONC under Cameron and May.
- Rise of Eurosceptic factions leading to Brexit.

Labour :
- Shift from Old Labour ( socialist policies ) to New Labour under Blair ( market - friendly policies , “Third Way” socialism ).
- Recent return to traditional socialism under Corbyn ( 2015 - 2019 ) then , a centrist approach under Starmer.

Question 6

Political Parties in Elections Examples

Answer 6

2019 GE :
- Cons won 80 seat majority campaigning on “Get Brexit Done”.
- Labour’s defeat was attributed to its unclear stance on Brexit and criticisms of Corbyn.

2021 Scottish Parliamentary Election :
- SNP won 64 seats , just short of a majority , campaigning for a 2nd IndyRef.

Question 7

Challenges Facing Political Parties Examples

Answer 7

Decline in Membership :
- Labour membership fell from over 500k in 2016 to around 385k in 2022.

Internal Divisions :
- Con party split between Brexiteers and Remainers during Brexit.
- Lab divisions between Corbynite left and the centrist wing.

Pressure from Minor Parties :
- Brexit party pressured Con on Brexit , influencing their shift to hard Brexit policies.
- Green Party has pressured Labour to adopt stronger climate policies.