Chapter 12
Political Parties
Chapter Summary
Political parties are an essential feature of the United Kingdom’s democratic system. They provide a link between citizens and state, as organisations of political representation and as vehicles for participation, and they deliver democratic governance. There are many flaws in the UK’s democratic procedures, not least an electoral system used in General Elections which can produce strikingly disproportional outcomes. The 2024 General Election brought this into sharp focus (whilst also demonstrating an apparent strength of the system, strong majority government). We have also witnessed a fragmentation of the UK’s party-political landscape which stems from developments in the 1970s and has been exacerbated by twenty-five years of devolution. It is inescapable, however, that political parties remain critical actors in UK politics. We rely on them to represent our views, to make decisions in government, to recruit future leaders and to provide opportunities for ordinary citizens to become involved, whether that’s simply voting in elections, donating to parties or joining a party. It is very hard to imagine what might replace political parties and these core democratic functions. Other options are available to citizens like social movements, protest and campaign group membership but influence through these other routes is indirect and probably less effective.
As this chapter has emphasised, political parties face an increasing number of challenges, and their capacity to respond to these can be questioned. The clear grip that the two main parties have had on power in the UK in the post-war period has come under increased pressure. Weaker party identification and greater fluidity in voter loyalties means increased pluralism in the way that people vote, and in the range of parties represented in different parts of the UK. Add to this the questionable ability of the broad-based political parties to sustain their internal coalitions in the face of ideological, policy and strategic disagreement, and it is easy to see how opportunities for parties with alternative perspectives on political and economic problems have been created.
An underlying challenge for all political parties in the UK, is the widespread evidence of public disillusionment with party politics. Social research has tracked this rising tide of public cynicism and disappointment in politics which has reached peaks when the behaviour of governing parties appeared unethical or lacking in integrity. Nonetheless, political parties remain a vital ingredient in the functioning of the UK democratic system, not least because they provide opportunities for political participation.
Learning Objectives
- To understand the democratic functions of political parties
- To analyse the ideological values and policy positions of political parties
- To highlight key debates between parties and within parties
- To assess changing patterns of support for political parties and how these shape party systems
- To examine patterns of party membership and internal party organisation
- The assess the democratic challenges and opportunities for political parties today
Quizzes
Test your knowledge with the Chapter 12 quizzes!
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Discussion Questions
- Political parties have faced declining voter loyalty and fluctuating membership numbers. Do you think political parties still effectively represent modern voters, or are alternative forms of political engagement becoming more important?
- The UK’s first-past-the-post electoral system has been criticized for being unfair to smaller parties. Should the UK adopt a more proportional electoral system to better reflect the diversity of political views, or does the current system provide stability and accountability?
Weblinks
Conservative Home – A blog and news site focusing on Conservative Party issues and policies. (www.conservativehome.com)
Labour List – A website dedicated to Labour Party news, analysis, and opinion. (www.labourlist.org)
Liberal Democrat Voice – A platform for news, views, and discussion on Liberal Democrat policies. (www.libdemvoice.org)
Bright Green – A blog and online magazine focusing on Green Party policies and activism. (www.bright-green.org)
Scottish National Party (SNP) – The official site of the SNP, advocating for Scottish independence and social democratic policies. (www.snp.org)
Politics Home – A news site offering political analysis and updates from Westminster. (www.politicshome.com)
Politico EU – A European edition of Politico, providing analysis of UK and EU political affairs. (www.politico.eu/uk)
The Canary – A left-wing news website focusing on UK politics, inequality, and social justice. (www.thecanary.co)
Electoral Reform Society – An organization advocating for electoral reform, including proportional representation. (www.electoral-reform.org.uk)
More in Common – A group working to bridge political and social divides in the UK. (www.moreincommon.com)
Flashcards
Refresh your knowledge of key terms with this chapter’s flashcards.
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Timeline
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