UK Political Parties

Question 1

The development and policies of the Conservative Party

Answer 1

Founded in 1834
One-Nation Conservatism
- Rich should support the poor; unite the nation Cameron.
Butskellism
- Accepted Labour reforms post-WWII, joining EU Heath.
Traditional Values
- Emphasis on family, tough immigration May.
Thatcherism
- Free-market, low taxes, strong state,

Question 2

Divisions within the Conservative Party

Answer 2

• Brexit division
• Mays failed brexit deals 3 times in 2019
• Cameron same sex marriage 2013

Question 3

The development and policies of the Labour Party

Answer 3

Origins 1900
- Formed as voice for working-class, backed by trade unions
- Adopted a commitment to socialism
- Post-War Labour Welfare State, nationalised major industries
New Labour 1997–2010
Blair centrist, accepted free-market, spending on public services
Corbyn Era 2015–2020
Shifted back to left, supported renationalisation
Starmer Era
Moved Labour back towards center

Question 4

The development and policies of the Liberal Democrats

Answer 4

Formed in 1988, merger between Liberal Party and Social Democratic Party
- Liberal Party lots power in 19th century
- Lost most of the power to Labor and Conservatives
- Now centrist party, pro EU, electoral reform

Question 5

Leadership Elections in different parties

Answer 5

Conservative Party
- Conservative MPs vote in rounds to narrow candidates down to 2.
- Party members vote, Johnson beat Hunt 2019
Labour Party
- Candidates need support from 10% of Labour MPs
- Party members vote using AV, Starmer won in 2020.
Liberal Democrats
- Candidate needs support 10% of MPs, 200 members local parties
- Party members vote using AV, Ed Davey won in 2020

Question 6

Funding of political parties

Answer 6

Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000
Party Membership
- Consevatives £40 yr, Labor £6 month
Individual Donors
- Conservatives raised £5.7m in first week of 2019 campagin
- Labor Lord Sainsbury £2.5m in 2024
- Musk considered 100m donation to Reform in 2024
- 2019 Conservatives £18.9m, Labor £6.5m
State funding
- £2m annually

Question 7

Should the state fund political parties?

Answer 7

Yes
- State money clean
- Politicians focus on policies that benefit everyone instead of donors
- Greater equality
- State funding easier to limit overall spending

No
- Voters should not fund parties which they disagree
- Parties could become isolated
- Cant remove inequality
- Parties too dependent on the state

Question 8

The factors that affect parties and their electoral outcomes

Answer 8

• Relevance and attractiveness of main policies
• Leadership
• The strength and situation of the opposition
• Party unity
• Electoral system

Question 9

The extent to which a multiparty system exists in Britain

Answer 9

Exists
- 3rd parties in power in 2010 Lib Dems, 2017 DUP
- 2024 Voter Share 57.4%
- 2024 Party Members Conservative 138k Reform 200k
- Scotland 2021 election 61/129
- 2024 Reform 4.8m, Conservative 6.8m

Does Not
- Coalition governement rare
- 2019 Voter Share 76%
- 2024 Labor 304k members
- FPTP 2 party system, Reform 4.8m votes, 5 seats