political parties in the uk presentation

Understanding UK Political Parties: A Comprehensive Guide

Exploring the dynamics, funding, and key events of uk political parties..

The UK's political landscape is a complex web of ideologies, policies, and debates. All eyes were on the House of Commons as the Scottish National Party (SNP) proposed a motion for a vote calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. This incident highlighted the role of political parties in shaping domestic and international policies. Understanding the dynamics and characteristics of these parties is crucial for comprehending the UK's political system.

Every year, members of the UK's political parties congregate in their thousands in early autumn at party conferences. These conferences serve as platforms for party members to discuss and debate policies, elect leaders, and set the agenda for the upcoming year. They provide insights into the internal workings of each party and offer a glimpse into the future direction of UK politics.

As 2023 draws to a close, we've been looking back on key events from the year as it unfolded in UK and world politics. From elections to policy changes, these events have shaped the political landscape and influenced the strategies of political parties. Analyzing these events helps us understand the dynamics and motivations behind the decisions made by different parties.

With upcoming elections scheduled to take place, the issue of political ads and their regulation has come into focus. The UK does not regulate political ads, which has raised concerns about misinformation and undue influence. It is essential to examine the impact of unregulated political ads on electoral processes and consider the necessity of implementing regulations to ensure fairness and transparency.

With the UK's general election less than two weeks away, British voters have seen their TV screens, mailboxes, and newsfeeds fill with color. Each political party utilizes various campaigning strategies to communicate their policies and persuade voters. Understanding the messages and tactics employed by different parties is crucial for voters to make informed decisions.

A fruitful party funding framework requires attention to at least four key aspects - regulation of donations, expenditure limits, transparency, and accountability. The way political parties are funded can significantly impact their independence and decision-making. Examining the funding mechanisms and regulations helps shed light on the potential influences on UK political parties.

Anti-Brexit activist Gina Miller faced the consequences of her political activism when her organization's bank account was abruptly closed. This incident raises questions about the challenges faced by individuals and organizations involved in political activities, highlighting the potential risks and obstacles faced by those who express dissenting views.

Brexit, the Conservative Party's election victory, and other significant events have shaped British politics in recent years. It is important to understand the impact of these events on the UK's political parties and their ideologies. Analyzing the aftermath of Brexit and the implications of the Conservative Party's election victory provides insights into the current state of UK politics.

In conclusion, understanding UK political parties is essential for comprehending the country's political system. From the dynamics within the House of Commons to party conferences and key events, each aspect contributes to the formation and evolution of political parties. Examining the funding frameworks and challenges faced by activists further enriches our understanding of the complexities within UK politics.

What do the UK Political Parties stand for?

There are many established  UK political parties . However, they have a range of views on many issues and have had internal debates over some issues for many years. This blog post will highlight the policies of the traditional and emerging UK political parties.

UK Political Parties: An Overview

There are hundreds of registered UK political parties . However, only a few stand for election across several constituencies. Many of these only stand in specific regions, such as the Yorkshire Party only standing candidates in Yorkshire. Other parties stand candidates in almost all seats across the UK.

The views of many UK political parties differ on issues including the economy, immigration, foreign policy, and other issues. They tend to fall on the political spectrum, with a variety of left-wing and right-wing parties present in the UK.

The Conservative Party

Following the ideology of conservatism, the Conservative Party is one of the largest UK political parties. Its policies include low taxation to increase competition in the market. The party also supports a meritocracy, a system in which those best suited to lead should lead.

As with conservatism, the Conservative Party believe that humans are flawed and can make bad decisions. Therefore, they support strong law and order and increased spending on the police and the power of the justice system.

In recent years, the Conservatives have supported making a success of Brexit, opposed a second Scottish independence referendum, and supported the lowering of personal and business taxes.

However, some unexpected events have meant that their policy programme has been disrupted. Due to the pandemic, they oversaw the ‘furlough’ scheme, which paid people 80% of their wages directly from the government. This is not usually considered a conservative policy as it has the impact of creating a larger dependency on the state. In the run-up to the 2024 general election, the party is standing on a promise to reduce illegal immigration and cut taxes so that people keep more of the money they earn.

The Labour Party

Another of the biggest UK political parties, the Labour Party has historically aligned more with socialism. It has historically supported policies in touch with the working class. Its current leader, Keir Starmer, looks to find a middle ground between social democracy and the Third Way.

In an article published in September 2021, Starmer said he would “build an effective partnership of state and private sector to prioritise the things that we have seen really matter: health, living conditions, working conditions and the environment.” This includes the creation of a national energy company, a windfall tax on energy company’s huge profits, but the continuation of the railways in private companies.

This is in stark contrast to policies supported at the last general election, which included nationalised internet and railways, an increase to the minimum wage, scrapping university tuition fees and reducing the voting age to 16. Running up to the 2024 general election, the Labour Party is standing on a promise to nationalise energy, and offer a ‘safer pair of hands’ after the Conservative’s 14 years in government.

The Liberal Democrats

The Social Democratic Party merged with the Liberal Party in 1988, making them one of the newest UK political parties. The Liberal Democrats experienced their first time in power in 2010 as part of the historic coalition. Their support has since dwindled, however their policies still remain popular with many voters today.

Subscribing to the ideas of liberalism, their underlying principles are individual freedom and the power of the free market.

Their most notable policy in recent years was opposing Brexit, something they would cancel if they won the 2019 general election. However, they only picked up 12 out of 650 seats. Other policies included £130bn investment in infrastructure, replacing First Past the Post with a more proportional system, and introducing a legal and regulated cannabis market. Looking towards the next election, the Liberal Democrats want to give more fair access to public services, and promote equality and equal rights between everyone in society.

Scottish National Party

The Scottish National Party are arguably one of the most successful of the regional UK political parties, holding 48 out of 59 Scottish seats in the House of Commons. Their main policy is to hold a referendum on Scottish independence. They merge the ideas of socialism and liberalism.

They also pledge to end austerity and give additional powers to the devolved Scottish government. They have also criticised the Conservative government’s rollout of universal credit, labelling it as ‘fundamentally flawed’. However, their leadership in recent months has been marred by scandals regarding their finances. Their former leader, Nicola Sturgeon, was arrested in connection with financial mismanagement within the party.

Looking towards the next general election, the SNP are again pledging a second referendum on Scotland’s place within the United Kingdom, alongside increasing spending so that people have greater access to public services.

Green Party

The Green Party are the UK’s largest ecologist party, developing from the Ecology Party in the 1980s. They have one MP in the House of Commons, but the Scottish branch is in government with the SNP. Their main policy is for extensive legislation to tackle the climate crisis, and move the UK to net-zero by 2030.

They have also supported the UK’s re-entry into the EU, increased taxes on the rich, and investment in new technology to create green jobs for the future. Their policies for the next general election include investing in insulation for homes to reduce energy bills and more affordable public transport.

Reform UK are one of the newest of the UK political parties, forming in 2019. Formerly called the Brexit Party, it looks to reform large parts of the UK’s economic and social aspects. These include introducing proportional representation to Westminster elections, reducing taxation and introducing ‘smart regulation’. They also pledge to fight “woke nonsense”, instead focusing police resources on fighting violent criminals.

Their 2024 general election campaign promises to leave the European Convention on Human Rights and reform many institutions in the UK, including the House of Lords and the civil service.

Find out more about UK political parties

As mentioned earlier in this article, there are hundreds of registered UK political parties. They stand on a range of issues, ranging from Socialism, to rejoining the EU to the independence of Cornwall. This article has explained the policies and range of UK political parties, from traditional to emerging ones.

You can find out more about the policies of major and minor UK political parties as part of our  Summary Grids  and  Course Notes . Available with a Study Politics membership, you can access all of our A Level Politics resources in one place.

Table of Contents

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Functions & Features of UK Political Parties

What is a political party.

Political parties act in government to represent the public.

Political parties introduction

• A political party is a group of similarly minded people who aim to achieve their objectives by fielding candidates for election to political office.
• A political party puts the policies it aims to pass into law in its manifesto, which is a document listing policy pledges.
• The party that wins power as a result of electoral victory earns a mandate, which is when a political party or decision-maker has the authority to make decisions or put policies in place.

Functions of UK Political Parties

Political parties in the UK have a number of key roles which ensure that the UK’s system of representative democracy can work in practice.

Government and opposition roles

• Parties ensure that a single government is formed as a result of the general election which is able to safely pass its legislation through the House of Commons.
• Parties also perform the role of the opposition parties who check the actions of the government and hold it to account.

Representation

• The Labour Party’s membership has been increasing under Jeremy Corbyn, growing by nearly 200,000 members since December 2015.
• But, overall party membership has been declining since the 1950s - so this role has changed in recent years.
• Political parties represent the wider public in Parliament, regional parliaments and assemblies, and in local councils.

Political participation

• Political parties allow people to have a greater participation in politics by becoming members of the party and so increase their involvement in the democratic process.
• Parties also aim to increase political engagement by educating citizens on political issues.

Functions of UK Political Parties 2

Recruiting politicians

• Parties recruit individuals into the political system and choose those individuals they believe to be most suitable to stand for public office.
• Prospective MPs have to apply in writing and sit interviews for selection.
• Some parties have all-women shortlists for some elections.

Creating policy

• Political parties establish policies which they believe are in the interests of voters and meet their needs.
• In the 2017 elections, the Conservatives promised a balanced budget by 2025 and an orderly Brexit.
• Labour promised the end of austerity, tax increases, and the abolition of tuition fees for university.

Choice at elections

• Political parties offer voters a clear choice at elections, ensuring that voters are able to support the party whose policies most appeal to them.

1 Democracy & Participation

1.1 Representative & Direct Democracy

1.1.1 Direct Democracy

1.1.2 Pros & Cons of Direct Democracy

1.1.3 Representative Democracy

1.1.4 Pros & Cons of Representative Democracy

1.1.5 Comparing Types of Democracy

1.1.6 Case for Democratic Reform

1.1.7 End of Topic Test - Types of Democracy

1.1.8 Top Grade AO3/4 - Types of Democracy

1.2 Wider Franchise & Suffrage

1.2.1 History of the UK Franchise

1.2.2 Campaigns for Suffrage

1.2.3 End of Topic Test - Franchise & Suffrage

1.3 Pressure Groups & Other Influences

1.3.1 Types of Pressure Group

1.3.2 Functions of Pressure Groups

1.3.3 How Pressure Groups Influence

1.3.4 Case-Study Examples

1.3.5 Other Collective Orgs & Groups

1.3.6 End of Topic Test - Pressure Groups & Influences

1.3.7 Application Questions - Pressure Groups

1.4 Rights in Context

1.4.1 Development of Rights in the UK

1.4.2 The UK's Rights-Based Culture

1.4.3 End of Topic Test - Rights in Context

2 Political Parties

2.1 How Political Parties Work

2.1.1 Functions & Features of UK Political Parties

2.1.2 Funding of UK Political Parties

2.1.3 UK Funding Reform

2.1.4 End of Topic Test - Political Parties

2.1.5 Top Grade AO3/4 - Political Parties

2.2 Established Political Parties

2.2.1 The Conservative Party: History

2.2.2 The Conservative Party: Recent Leaders

2.2.3 The Labour Party

2.2.4 The Liberal Democrat Party

2.2.5 Ideas & Policies of UK Parties

2.2.6 End of Topic Test - Established Parties

2.2.7 Application Questions - Established Parties

2.3 Emerging & Minor Political Parties

2.3.1 Minority Parties

2.3.2 Minority Parties Case Studies

2.3.3 End of Topic Test - Minor Parties

2.4 UK Political Parties in Context

2.4.1 Different Party Systems

2.4.2 Political Spectrum

2.4.3 Factors Affecting Party Success

2.4.4 End of Topic Test - Parties in Context

2.4.5 Application Questions - Parties in Context

3 Electoral Systems

3.1 Different Electoral Systems

3.1.1 FPTP & STV

3.1.2 AMS & SV

3.1.3 End of Topic Test - Electoral Systems

3.1.4 Top Grade AO3/4 - Electoral Systems

3.2 Referendums & How They Are Used

3.2.1 Case For & Against Referendums

3.2.2 End of Topic Test - Referendums

3.2.3 A-A* (AO3/4) - Referendums

3.3 Electoral System Analysis

3.3.1 Electoral System Analysis

3.3.2 End of Topic Test - System Analysis

3.3.3 A-A* (AO3/4) - Electoral System Analysis

4 Voting Behaviour & the Media

4.1 General Election Case Studies

4.1.1 Case Studies of Elections

4.1.2 Factors Influencing Voting in Elections

4.1.3 End of Topic Test - Case Studies & Factors

4.1.4 A-A* (AO3/4) - Case Studies & Voting

4.2 Media Influence

4.2.1 Media Influence

4.2.2 End of Topic Test - Media Influence

5 Conservatism

5.1 Conservatism: Core Ideas & Principles

5.1.1 Pragmatism & Tradition

5.1.2 Human Imperfection & Organic Society/State

5.1.3 Authority & Hierarchy

5.1.4 Paternalism

5.1.5 Empiricism

5.1.6 Anti-Permissiveness

5.1.7 Radical Conservative Ideas

5.1.8 End of Topic Test - Core Conservatism

5.2 Conservatism: Differing Views & Tensions

5.2.1 Traditional Conservatism

5.2.2 One-Nation Conservatism

5.2.3 New Right Conservatism

5.2.4 End of Topic Test - Different Views

5.3 Conservative Thinkers & Ideas

5.3.1 Thomas Hobbes & Edmund Burke

5.3.2 Michael Oakeshott & Ayn Rand

5.3.3 Robert Nozick

5.3.4 End of Topic Test - Conservative Thinkers

5.3.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Conservatism

6 Liberalism

6.1 Liberalism: Core Ideas & Principles

6.1.1 Individualism & Freedom/Liberty

6.1.2 The State & Rationalism

6.1.3 Equality & Social Justice

6.1.4 Liberal Democracy

6.1.5 Other Important Liberal Ideas

6.1.6 End of Topic Test - Liberalism

6.2 Differing Views And Tensions Within Liberalism

6.2.1 Classical Liberalism

6.2.2 Modern Liberalism

6.2.3 End of Topic Test - Tensions & Views

6.3 Liberal Thinkers & Ideas

6.3.1 John Locke & Mary Wollstonecraft

6.3.2 John Stuart Mill & John Rawls

6.3.3 Betty Friedan

6.3.4 End of Topic Test - Thinkers & Ideas

6.3.5 A-A* - Liberalism

7 Socialism

7.1 Socialism: Core Ideas & Principles

7.1.1 Fraternity & Co-operation

7.1.2 Capitalism & Common Ownership

7.1.3 Communism

7.1.4 Collectivism

7.1.5 Common Humanity

7.1.6 Equality

7.1.7 Social Class & Workers' Control

7.1.8 End of Topic Test - Socialism

7.2 Differing Views And Tensions Within Socialism

7.2.1 Differing Views And Tensions

7.2.2 End of Topic Test - Views & Tensions

7.3 Socialist Thinkers and Their Ideas

7.3.1 Socialist Thinkers: Marx & Engels

7.3.2 Socialist Thinkers: Webb & Luxemburg

7.3.3 Socialist Thinkers: Crosland and Giddens

7.3.4 End of Topic Test - Thinkers & Ideas

7.3.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Socialism

8 The UK Constitution

8.1 Nature & Sources of UK Constitution

8.1.1 Development of the UK Constitution

8.1.2 Nature of the UK Constitution

8.1.3 Sources of the UK Constitution

8.1.4 End of Topic Test - Nature & Sources

8.2 Constitutional Change since 1997

8.2.1 Constitutional Reform 1997-2010 1

8.2.2 Constitutional Reform 1997-2010 2

8.2.3 Constitutional Reform 2010-15 & Reforms Since 2015

8.2.4 End of Topic Test - Reform

8.2.5 Application Questions - Reform

8.3 Role & Powers of Devolved UK Bodies

8.3.1 Devolution in England & Scotland

8.3.2 Devolution in Wales & Northern Ireland

8.3.3 End of Topic Test - Devolution

8.4 Debates on Constitutional Reform

8.4.1 Constitutional Reform & Devolution

8.4.2 Should the Constitution Be Codified?

8.4.3 End of Topic Test - Reform Debates

8.4.4 Application Questions - Codification & Devolution

9 The UK Parliament

9.1 Houses of Parliament

9.1.1 Houses of Parliament

9.1.2 Functions of the House of Commons

9.1.3 Functions of the House of Lords

9.1.4 End of Topic Test - Parliament

9.1.5 Top Grade AO3/4 - Parliament

9.2 Comparative Powers

9.2.1 Comparative Powers of the Houses

9.2.2 End of Topic Test - Comparative Powers

9.3 Legislative Process

9.3.1 Legislative Stages

9.3.2 Law-Making in the two Houses

9.3.3 End of Topic Test - Legislative Process

9.4 Parliament & Executive Interactions

9.4.1 Backbenchers

9.4.2 Select Committees

9.4.3 The Opposition

9.4.4 Ministerial Question Time

9.4.5 End of Topic Test - Parliament & Executive

9.4.6 Application Questions - Parliament & Executive

10 The Prime Minister & the Executive

10.1 The Executive

10.1.1 Structure of the Executive

10.1.2 Roles of the Executive

10.1.3 Powers of the Executive

10.1.4 End of Topic Test - PM & Executive

10.2 Ministerial Responsibility

10.2.1 Individual Ministerial Responsibility

10.2.2 Collective Ministerial Responsibility

10.2.3 End of Topic Test - Ministerial Responsibility

10.3 Prime Minister & the Cabinet

10.3.1 Role of the Prime Minister

10.3.2 Prime Minister's Powers

10.3.3 Limits on the Prime Minister's Powers

10.3.4 Role of the Cabinet

10.3.5 Prime Minister & Cabinet: Relations

10.3.6 Prime Minister & Cabinet: Balance of Power

10.3.7 Prime Minister & Cabinet: Case Studies

10.3.8 End of Topic Test - PM & Cabinet

10.3.9 Top Grade AO3/4 - PM & Cabinet

11 Relationships Between Government Branches

11.1 The Supreme Court

11.1.1 Role & Composition

11.1.2 Principles & Influence of the Supreme Court

11.1.3 End of Topic Test - Supreme Court

11.2 Parliament & Executive Relations

11.2.1 Parliament & Executive: Questions

11.2.2 Parliament & Executive: Committees

11.2.3 Parliament & Executive: Voting

11.2.4 Executive Dominance Over Parliament

11.2.5 Balance of Power

11.2.6 End of Topic Test - Parliament & Executive

11.2.7 A-A* (AO3/4) - Relationships Between Government

11.3 The European Union & the UK

11.3.1 Aims & Policy Making of the European Union

11.3.2 End of Topic Test - EU & UK

11.4 Sovereignty in the UK Political System

11.4.1 Sovereignty in the UK Political System

11.4.2 End of Topic Test - Sovereignty

12 US Constitution & Federalism

12.1 Nature of the US Constitution

12.1.1 Nature of the US Constitution

12.1.2 Nature: Positives & Negatives

12.1.3 Constitutional Framework

12.1.4 The Amendment Process

12.1.5 End of Topic Test - Nature US Constitution

12.2 Principles of the US Constitution

12.2.1 Federalism

12.2.2 Separation of Powers/Checks & Balances

12.2.3 Bipartisanship

12.2.4 Limited Government

12.2.5 End of Topic Test - Constitutional Principles

12.3 Federalism

12.3.1 Main Characteristics

12.3.2 Federal Government and the States

12.3.3 End of Topic Test - Federalism

12.4 Interpretations & Debates

12.4.1 Democracy in the Constitution

12.4.2 Federalism

12.4.3 End of Topic Test - Debates

12.4.4 A-A* (AO3/4) - US Constitution

13 US Congress

13.1 Structure of Congress

13.1.1 Structure of Congress

13.1.2 Distribution of Powers

13.1.3 End of Topic Test - Congress Structure

13.2 Functions of Congress

13.2.1 Representation

13.2.2 Legislative

13.2.3 Oversight

13.2.4 End of Topic Test - Functions of Congress

13.3 Interpretations & Debates

13.3.1 Changing Roles & Powers

13.3.2 Changing Significance of Parties & of Powers

13.3.3 End of Topic Test - Debates

13.3.4 Application Questions - US Congress

14 US Presidency

14.1 Presidential Power

14.1.1 Formal Sources of Presidential Power

14.1.2 Informal Sources of Presidential Power

14.1.3 Powers of Persuasion

14.1.4 End of Topic Test - Presidential Power

14.2 The Presidency

14.2.1 President Relationship with Other Institutions

14.2.2 Limitations on Presidential Power

14.2.3 US Presidents Achieving Their Aims

14.2.4 End of Topic Test - Presidency

14.3 Interpretations & Debates of the US Presidency

14.3.1 The Imperial Presidency

14.3.2 The President in Foreign Policy

14.3.3 End of Topic Test - Debates

14.3.4 A-A* (AO3/4) - US Presidency

15 US Supreme Court & Civil Rights

15.1 Nature & Role of Supreme Court

15.1.1 Nature & Role of the Supreme Court

15.1.2 End of Topic Test - Nature & Role

15.2 Supreme Court Appointment Process

15.2.1 Appointment Process

15.2.2 Supreme Court Membership

15.2.3 End of Topic Test - Appointments

15.3 The Supreme Court & Public Policy

15.3.1 Supreme Court & Public Policy

15.3.2 End of Topic Test - Public Policy

15.4 Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights

15.4.1 Protection of Civil Liberties & Rights

15.4.2 Race & Rights in Contemporary US Politics

15.4.3 End of Topic Test - Rights & Liberties

15.5 Debates & Interpretations of the Supreme Court

15.5.1 Political Nature of the Supreme Court

15.5.2 Judicial Interpretation

15.5.3 Supreme Court Checks & Balances

15.5.4 End of Topic Test - Debates

15.5.5 Application Questions - The Supreme Court

16 US Democracy & Participation

16.1 Presidential Elections

16.1.1 Presidential Elections

16.1.2 Primaries

16.1.3 National Party Conventions

16.1.4 End of Topic Test - Presidential Elections

16.2 Electoral College

16.2.1 Electoral College System

16.2.2 Reforms

16.2.3 End of Topic Test - Electoral College

16.3 Electoral Campaigns

16.3.1 Issues in Elections

16.3.2 End of Topic Test - Campaigns

16.4 Incumbency

16.4.1 Elections & Incumbency

16.4.2 End of Topic Test - Incumbency

16.4.3 A-A* (AO3/4) - Elections & Electoral College

16.5 Democrats & Republicans

16.5.1 National & State Level Organisation

16.5.2 Democratic & Republican Policies

16.5.3 Changing Party Significance

16.5.4 End of Topic Test - Democrats & Republicans

16.6 Internal Conflict & Ideology

16.6.1 Types of Democrats

16.6.2 Types of Republicans

16.6.3 End of Topic Test - Internal Conflict

16.7 Support & Demographics

16.7.1 Coalition of Supporters

16.7.2 End of Topic Test - Party Support

16.8 Interest Groups

16.8.1 Political Significance of Interest Groups

16.8.2 Interest Group Influence & Impact on Democracy

16.8.3 End of Topic Test - Interest Groups

16.8.4 Application Questions - Parties, Ideology & Groups

17 Comparing Democracies

17.1 Theoretical Approaches

17.1.1 Theoretical Approaches

17.1.2 End of Topic Test - Approaches

17.2 UK & USA Similarities & Differences

17.2.1 Constitution: Nature

17.2.2 Constitution: Provisions & Principles

17.2.3 Federal System & Devolution

17.2.4 Legislative: Lower Houses of Government

17.2.5 Legislative: Upper Houses of Government

17.2.6 Legislative: Powers & Functions

17.2.7 Executive

17.2.8 Supreme Court

17.2.9 Supreme Court: Judicial Independence

17.2.10 Civil Rights

17.2.11 Civil Rights: Interest Groups

17.2.12 Party Systems & Parties

17.2.13 Campaign Finance & Pressure Groups

17.2.14 End of Topic Test - Comparing UK & US

17.2.15 Application Questions - UK & USA

18 Feminism

18.1 Feminism: Core Ideas & Principles

18.1.1 Context of Feminism

18.1.2 Sex & Gender

18.1.3 Patriarchy & The Personal is the Political

18.1.4 Difference, Egalitarian & Intersectionality

18.1.5 Key Themes

18.1.6 End of Topic Test - Core Ideas & Principles

18.2 Different Types of Feminism

18.2.1 The Waves of Feminism

18.2.2 Socialist & Radical Feminism

18.2.3 Post-Modern Feminism

18.2.4 End of Topic Test - Different Types of Feminism

18.3 Feminist Thinkers & Their Ideas

18.3.1 Charlotte Gilman & Simone de Beauvoir

18.3.2 Kate Millett

18.3.3 Sheila Rowbotham & bell hooks

18.3.4 End of Topic Test - Feminist Thinkers & Ideas

18.3.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Feminism

19 Nationalism

19.1 Nationalism: Core Ideas & Principles

19.1.1 Nations & Self-Determination

19.1.2 Nation-States & Culturalism

19.1.3 Racialism & Internationalism

19.1.4 Civic & Ethnic Nationalism

19.1.5 Liberal & Socialist Internationalism

19.1.6 Key Themes

19.1.7 End of Topic Test - Core Ideas & Principles

19.2 Different Types of Nationalism

19.2.1 Liberal & Conservative Nationalism

19.2.2 Post-Colonial & Expansionist Nationalism

19.2.3 Progressive & Regressive Nationalism

19.2.4 Inclusive & Exclusive Nationalism

19.2.5 End of Topic Test -Different Types of Nationalism

19.3 Nationalist Thinkers & Their Ideas

19.3.1 Jean-Jacques Rousseau & Gottfried von Herder

19.3.2 Giuseppe Mazzini & Charles Maurras

19.3.3 Marcus Garvey

19.3.4 End of Topic Test - Nationalist Thinkers & Ideas

19.3.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Nationalism

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End of Topic Test - Rights in Context

Funding of UK Political Parties

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The organisation and structure of UK Parties.

Party Structures Compared UK

The Conservative Party  

The Liberal Party  

The Labour Party  

Political Parties  

How are UK Political Parties organised?

 Traditionally the Conservative Party, was a top-down organisation that exists predominantly to support its MPs in forming a governing majority and contrasts greatly with the Labour Party, a bottom-up movement that aims to represent its members and is far more concerned with internal democracy. 

Choosing the leader 

The traditional way the Labour Party used to select leaders involved trade union leaders casting votes on behalf of their members in large numbers, giving the unions significant influence in leadership elections. The idea of a one-member, one-vote (OMOV) system for choosing the party’s leader was initially suggested at Labour’s Wembley Special Conference in 1981. This proposal faced opposition from Tony Benn, who favoured an electoral college system that included various party interest groups. This electoral college consisted of a trade union section with 40% of the total vote, a section for the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) with 30%, and an additional 30% for active party members in Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs). The electoral college structure reflects the party's history, which originated from a coalition of groups, with unions being a significant part. Neil Kinnock's attempt to introduce OMOV in 1984 was unsuccessful. It was John Smith who successfully implemented OMOV into the Labour Party's rules at the 1993 conference, eliminating the trade union bloc vote in selecting parliamentary candidates. Instead, union members paying the political levy were granted a direct vote on the party's candidates as 'affiliated supporters.' This change benefitted Tony Blair, who secured over 50% of the trade union vote on his path to leadership, becoming one of Labour's most successful leaders electorally. OMOV was eventually introduced by Ed Miliband in 2014, allowing the public to participate in leadership elections for a £3 fee. This rule change led to a substantial increase in membership. Before the May 2015 election, the party had slightly over 200,000 members. By the conclusion of the August 2015 leadership election, there were 189,703 affiliated union members, 121,295 registered supporters, and 299,755 full members, totalling an electorate of 610,753. This significant surge in party membership not only made the party the largest in Europe but also played a crucial role in the election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader, marking one of the most notable shifts in the party's direction since Blair's Clause IV reform. The election of Jeremy Corbyn not only represented a shift to the left but also exposed a problem for greater party democracy, since he was elected by the votes of unions and members and not MPs. He became a leader of the Party outside Parliament but not inside. The 2020 Labour Party leadership election was triggered after Jeremy Corbyn announced his intention to resign as the leader of the Labour Party following the party's defeat at the 2019 general election. It was won by Keir Starmer, who received 56.2 per cent of the vote in the first round.  

The Labour Leadership Contest 2020

Conservatives

The Conservative Party is a less structured coalition compared to the Labour Party. The Conservative Party's Constitution was last officially amended in April 2009, with minor changes suggested in 2017. The Constitution broadly outlines the Party's goal as sustaining and promoting its values. This flexibility allows the leadership to shape the party's direction. In 2006, David Cameron initiated the 'A-List' without changing any rules, enabling a centralized selection process for parliamentary candidates. This move aimed to modernize the Party and broaden its appeal by including more diverse candidates. The A-list strategy allowed the Conservative Campaign Headquarters to influence candidate selection in local areas. This approach, implemented without much resistance, has been utilized by subsequent leaders like Theresa May and Boris Johnson. This contrasts with the Labour Party's resistance to Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.  For five years, the PLP remained overwhelmingly opposed to Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. The Parliamentary Conservative Party, however, was remodelled with comparative ease. Cameron's A-List included 152 names, of which 36 were MPs in 2019, with only a few holding cabinet roles and some no longer serving as Conservative MPs.

How do Conservative MPs initiate a leadership challenge?

A vote of no confidence in the leader is held if 15% of Conservative MPs (currently 52 MPs) write to the chair of the 1922 Committee to request one. This is entirely distinct from a vote of no confidence in the government , which is a parliamentary vote involving MPs of all parties. Conservative MPs then vote in a secret ballot, declaring their support for and against the leader.The timetable for a confidence vote is decided by the chair of the 1922 Committee in consultation with the party leader. The vote can happen very quickly: the 2018 vote of no confidence in Theresa May was held on 12 December, the day after the threshold was reached. May won the vote 200–117 – a majority of 83 votes.  

To enter the contest, candidates – who must be Conservative MPs – must be nominated by other Conservative MPs. The threshold for nomination has varied at each successive election: in 2019, candidates needed just eight nominees, while in October 2022, would-be candidates required 100 supporters.

The field of nominated candidates is then whittled down through successive ballots of Conservative MPs until only two candidates remain. At each ballot, the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes is eliminated. In addition – particular during the early stages of balloting – candidates may be eliminated if they fail to meet a pre-declared threshold of votes. For instance, in 2019 candidates needed to receive 17 votes in the first round and 33 votes in the second round in order to proceed. The two remaining candidates are then put to a vote of the entire Conservative party membership in a process set down in the party constitution. The candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote is elected leader. The last full election for the leadership of the Conservative Party was held between 13 July and 5 September 2022. Liz Truss was elected leader with the support of 57.4% of voting members, defeating Rishi Sunak. Truss replaced Boris Johnson as prime minister on 6 September 2022.

Following Liz Truss’ resignation in October 2022, Rishi Sunak was elected as the new leader unopposed, being the only nominee. He replaced Truss as prime minister on 25 October 2022.

Party Constitutions

Before 1998, the Conservative Party lacked a unified structure. Following a significant defeat to Blair's Labour Party, William Hague initiated the Fresh Future reforms, consolidating the three wings of the Party (constituencies, parliamentary party, and professional head office) under a single constitution. A Party Board was formed to supervise fundraising and party management, while the Conservative Policy Forum aimed to provide members with more involvement in the policy-making process. Members were granted a One Member One Vote (OMOV) system in leadership elections. However, the consolidation process seemed to diminish the authority of the previously independent constituency organizations, especially concerning candidate selection, as seen with Cameron's A-List. Additionally, Michael Howard and  Ian Duncan Smith marginalized the policy forum and the party board. Cameron's reforms concentrated on bolstering the professional wing of the party, renamed CCHQ. According to Tim Bale's analysis of Cameron's party, the leadership retained dominance in the policy-making process. Despite efforts to enhance democracy and formalize its procedures, the reforms of the past two decades have not shifted the perception that 'the leadership remains the primary component in the Conservative Party's structure.' While this is true of policy making it's less true of leader selection.

The Labour Party's constitution, with a history dating back to 1918, when Sidney Webb drafted Clause IV, is a key element of the Party's values. It remained unchanged until Blair revised it in 1995. The Party's structure includes trade unions, socialist societies, and Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs). The annual conference is the primary decision-making body, while the National Executive Committee (NEC) handles daily policies. The party prioritizes internal democracy and member representation. Trade unions historically influenced policy-making, but leaders like Kinnock and Brown reduced their power for member inclusion. The 2004 Warwick Agreement allowed unions to regain influence, despite Miliband downplaying their role. Leaders have aimed to reshape the party through reforms like Blair's Partnership in Power and Miliband's Collins review. This reflects Michels' Iron law of oligarchy, showing current leadership's control over all party levels. Corbyn's leadership highlights the ongoing battle for the party's soul within its organizational structure.

 Are the structures of UK political parties outdated? 

Are broad church parties outdated with the rise of issue politics and polarisation.

  With the post ideology of Third Way politics of the 1990s and 2000s came an ‘End of History’ approach to domestic policy: that the big ideological battles in society had been concluded with the victory of liberal democracy, and that what was left were policy goals that parties across the spectrum broadly agreed on – economic health, climate change, and law and order being examples. The politics of compromise was actively encouraged. 

However, recent years have seen a rise in nationalist movements and populist politics, particularly as the UK and USA have moved further away from the politics of the European Union. Class alignments have weakened and issues such as climate change and identity politics have become more important to voters.

Yes: Rise in apathy and decline in turnout and membership. Party internal conflict . Rise of small parties

No 2 019 return of the two-party system . Labour membership increased steadily since 2010 . Turnout has increased.

Are party structures undemocratic?

Yes: The election of Jeremy Corbyn was heavily reliant on union votes. Unions have considerable influence over the Labour Party. The Conservatives are influenced by business interests. The Conservative party is dominated by the leadership

No: Increasing involvement of party members and use of OMOV.

United Kingdom: Political parties at a glance

Parties in comparison, explanation of the chart.

The graph shows the economic orientation of the parties on the X-axis from left to right. The further left, the more actively the state should intervene via taxes, regulations and redistribution. The further to the right, the less the state should intervene.

On the Y-axis from top to bottom, the parties are categorized according to their life models. The further up a party, the more it prioritizes liberal lifestyles over traditional views and material goods. The further down, the more a party aligns itself with traditional lifestyles and sees the state as the moral authority for living together.

Data was collected through the 2019 Chapel Hill Expert Survey by more than 400 policy experts. Party positions may change over time. Therefore, the chart serves only as an overview and cannot make statements about specific political topics.

Ryan Bakker, Liesbet Hooghe, Seth Jolly, Gary Marks, Jonathan Polk, Jan Rovny, Marco Steenbergen, and Milada Anna Vachudova. 2020. “2019 Chapel Hill Expert Survey.” - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Tories (Conservative Party) is a center-right party and currently represented in parliament with 365 MPs.

Labour (Labour Party) is a center-left party that is currently represented in the parliament with 203 MPs.

Scottish National Party

Scottish National Party is a regional interest party and currently represented in parliament with 48 MPs.

Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrats is a liberal party that is currently represented in parliament with 11 seats.

Democratic Unionist Party

Democratic Unionist Party is a center-right party that is currently represented in parliament with 8 seats.

Sinn Féin is a regional interest party and currently represented in parliament with 7 MPs.

Plaid Cymru

Plaid Cymru is a regional interest party that is currently represented in the parliament with 4 MPs.

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Social Democratic and Labour Party is a regional interest party that is currently represented in the parliament with 2 MPs.

Alliance (Alliance Party of Northern Ireland) is a liberal party and currently represented in parliament with 1 MPs.

Green Party

Green Party is a green party that is currently represented in the parliament with 1 MPs.

Reform UK is a right-wing party from United Kingdom.

UKIP (UK Independence Party) is a right-wing party from United Kingdom.

Ulster Unionist Party

Ulster Unionist Party is a center-right party from United Kingdom.

• Political parties in Britain

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1. Recent developments - British governments since Boris Johnson

The rishi sunak government :  since october 2022, the truss government : september 2022 - october 2022..

The Boris Johnson government (2019 -2022)

2. political parties - what do they stand for, how the british electoral system works, 3. a short history of political parties in britain, 4. former stability of the political landscape.

5. Political turmoil in Britain today

2016 - 2024  - parties in turmoil, 6. main british parties (excluding regionalist parties / nationalsts ) , right-wing or conservative parties, the conservative party (also called the tories ), the theresa may government (2016 - 2019), the boris johnson era (2019 - 2022) and after, parties of the centre, the liberal democrat party - the liberal democrats , or lib dems, the greens - the green party, the parties of the left, the labour party , respect / workers party of great britain, the communist party of great britain, main regional and nationalist parties, snp - scottish nationalist party, plaid cymru - welsh nationalist party, democratic unionist party 2, sinn fein 2.

• What are the Political Parties of the United Kingdom?

Before the 19th century, the political landscape in the UK was dominated by the Whigs and the Tories. The Whigs were made up of most of the prominent aristocratic dynasties agitating for Protestant succession and subsequently enjoyed the support of the wealthy merchants and emerging industrial interests. The Tories were mostly associated with the Church of Scotland; the landed gentry and the Church of England. Towards the mid 19th century, the Whigs evolved into the Liberal Party while the Tories became the Conservative Party. The Labour Party emerged in the place of the Liberal Party in the 1920s. The Conservative and Labour Parties are the major political players in the UK although they are other many parties.

Conservative Party

The Conservative Party has a centre-right position in UK's politics. The party garnered the largest number of seats in the House of Commons at the last election in 2015 and is thus the party that formed the government. The party's chair is Theresa May who is currently the UK's Prime Minister. Among the major views of the party is the belief that free markets in addition to individual achievement drive economic growth. The party advocates for supply-side economics, a theory which stipulates that reduced income tax rates triggers GDP growth and thus amounts to the same or more revenue collected by the government from the lesser tax on the additional growth. This theory is in line with the party's advocacy for tax cuts. The Conservative Party has established a wide range of global alliances including ties with the US. Other views of the party are restrictions on trade union, a strong national defense, fiscal conservatism, and deregulation.

Labour Party

The Labour Party occupies a centre-left position in UK's politics. After garnering 231 seats in the 2015 election, the Labour Party assumed the place of the Official Opposition. Jeremy Corbyn is currently serving as the party's chair. The party initially favored socialist policies including the redistribution of wealth, a belief in publicly funded education and healthcare, government intervention, and public ownership of strategic industries. The Labour Party began embracing several free market policies in the mid-1980s under the leadership of Neil Kinnock, Tony Blair, and John Smith. The party's current political stand has been described as ‘Third Way.'

Scottish National Party

The Scottish National Party is the third-largest in the UK in terms of membership. The party has the majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament as well as the majority of representatives in the Parliament of the UK. The party is currently under the leadership of Nicola Sturgeon. The Scottish National Party is associated with Scottish Nationalism, and it has been at the forefront in agitating for Scottish independence. Being a social democratic party, some of its views include investments in renewable energy, construction of affordable social housing, progressive personal taxation, same-sex marriage, and government-subsidized higher education.

Liberal Democrats

In 1988, the Social Democratic Party and the Liberal Party merged into the Liberal Democrats. Tim Farron is the party’s current leader. The Liberal Democrats advocate for civil liberties, electoral and constitutional reform, environmentalism, progressive taxation, European integration, drug decriminalization, and human rights laws.

Emerging Trends

The UK's two party system which is dominated by the Conservative and Labour Parties has been decreasing in popularity. Smaller parties have been registering increasing support such as the Scottish National Party which is pushing for Scottish independence. Another rising party is the Green Party of England and Wales as well as the Green Party in Northern Ireland. The Green Party advocates for peace and non-violence, environmental consciousness, social justice, and grassroots democracy. The UK Independence Party has garnered support due to its stances on British Nationalism, Economic liberalism, immigration, and exit from the EU.

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Britain’s political parties and the constitution

Political parties are the “ghosts in the machine” of the UK constitution and more attention should be paid to their role in reforming how it operates.

Political parties are the “ghosts in the machine” of the UK constitution – and more attention should be paid to their role in reforming how it operates.

This guest paper by Professor Tim Bale for the Institute for Government/Bennett Institute review of the UK constitution explores the “vital but barely acknowledged” role that political parties play through their influential – and often self-interested – constitutional reforms. Bale cites franchise reform, curbing the power of the House of Lords, reorganising local governance, legislating for human rights, creating a Supreme Court, introducing devolution, and leaving the European Union as examples of the way political parties have changed the constitution.

In Europe, 28 out of 32 continental democracies now make references to parties in their constitution, but in the absence of a codified UK constitution the “role, rights and responsibilities of political parties remain at the level of an assumption and an implication.”

However, the report argues that political parties “deserve more attention than they have traditionally been paid whenever we come to discuss what we might term ‘the rules of the game’ – rules that they themselves help set, and a game in which they are some of the principal players.”

This increased attention could mean codification or, at the very least, a further ‘official’ and therefore authoritative contribution to the sources of the UK’s uncodified constitution.  

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British Political Parties

Apr 07, 2019

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British Political Parties. “A Multiple Party System with Two-Party Dominance” First-Past-The-Post & Single-Member Districts lead to emergence of two leading parties. Labour Party. Largest party on the “left” of political spectrum

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Presentation Transcript

British Political Parties “A Multiple Party System with Two-Party Dominance” First-Past-The-Post & Single-Member Districts lead to emergence of two leading parties

Labour Party • Largest party on the “left” of political spectrum • Began in 1906 as alliance between trade unions and social groups that were strengthened by expansion of workers’ rights • Traditionally labor union have provided majority of funds for the party • Early history of the party defined by controversial “Clause 4” that called for nationalization of the “commanding heights” of British industry • Trade Union Council (TUC) – a coalition of trade unions generally associated with the Labour Party, has traditionally been a force in British politics • Growing moderation of the party reflected by removal of clause in early 1990s

Labour Party in 1990s • Shift in policies toward more centrist views • Shift in political platform originated with Neil Kinnock, party leader in the 1980s • Moderate-centrist views have continued under leadership of John Smith (1993-94) and Tony Blair (1997-present) • Tony Blair’s adopts “Third Way” platform and creates “New Labour” Party

Conservative Party • Dominant party in Great Britain between WWII and late 1990s • Main party on the right • Traditionally pragmatic as opposed to ideological • Historically has supported a market controlled economy, privatization, and fewer social welfare programs – symbolized by Margaret Thatcher in 1980s • Under Prime Minister John Major (1990-1997) gravitated towards center and away from Thatcherism

Conservative Party II • Characterized by Noblesse Oblige • Power centered in London • Party organization viewed as elitist • Leadership must submit to annual leadership elections • Weakened by division of party in late 1990s: • Traditional Wing(one-nation Tories) – values noblesse oblige and elitism, supports Britain’s membership in EU • Thatcherite Wing – strict conservatives, support full free market, known as “Euroskeptics”, feel EU threatens British sovereignty

Liberal-Democratic Party • Alliance between the Liberal and Social Democratic Parties during the 1980s • Formally merged in 1989 into Liberal Democratic party • Attempted to create strong “in the middle” compromise to the two dominant parties • Won a party high 26% of vote in 1983, but because of single-member district plurality system only secured 23 seats in Parliament • Secured only 62 MP seats in 2005 even though they won 22% of the popular vote • Also managed to gain support in reference to their stance on issues such as health, education, the environment, and the Iraq War

Other Parties • Scottish National Party • Plaid Cymru – Welch nationalist party • Sinn Fein – political arm of the IRA • Democratic Unionist Party – led by Protestant clergymen

XVII. Mexican Political Parties • Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) • National Action Party (PAN) • Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD)

PRI • In power from 1920-2000 • Founded by coalition of elites led by President Calles • Originally elites agreed to trade favors and pass around power from one cacique to another (Sexenio) • Corporatist structure– interest groups woven into the structure of the party. Party has ultimate authority, but other voices heard by bringing interest groups under the umbrella of the party. Structure is not democratic, but allows for more input into government than other types of authoritarianism. Cardenas allowed peasant and labor organizations to be represented in the party and hold positions of responsibility • Patron-client system– party traditionally gets its support from rural areas where patron-client system is still in control. Patron-client system allowed the PRI to remain in control of Mexicans as long as majority of population was rural-based, this began to change in the late 1980s

PAN (Right of Center) • Founded in 1939 • Represents business interests opposed to centralization and anti-clericalism • PAN support strongest in the north • PAN generally considered PRI’s opposition to the Right • PAN candidate Vicente Fox won 2000 presidential election, Felipe Calderon won 2006 election • Platform • Regional autonomy • Less government intervention in the economy • Clean & fair elections • Good rapport with Catholic Church • Support for private and religious education

PRD (Left of Center) • PRD considered PRI’s opposition to the Left • Presidential candidate in 1988 & 1994 was Cuahtemoc Cardenas (son of Lazaro Cardenas) • He was ejected from the PRI for demanding reform that emphasized social justice and populism • In 1988 Cardenas won 31.1% of the official vote, and PRD captured 139 seats in the Chamber of Deputies (500 total) • Many believe had it been an honest election Cardenas would have won • PRD has been plagued by poor organization, lack of charismatic leadership, and most importantly the lack of an economic alternative to the market-oriented policies of the PRI & PAN • Andres Lopez Obrador, former mayor of Mexico City, was the PRD candidate for president in the 2006 election. He lost by a slim margin to Calderon (PAN)

Russian Political Parties • Began forming after Revolution of 1991 • Small, factional • Formed around particular leaders • “Bloc of General Andrey Nikolaev and Academician Svyaloslav Fyodorov” • “Yuri Boldyrev Movement” (“Yabloko”) • Formed around particular issues • “Party of Pensioners” • “Agrarian Party of Russia” • “Women of Russia” • Political Parties Today (United Russia, Communist Party, Reform Parties)

United Russia • Founded in April 2001 • Merger between “Fatherland All-Russia” Party and the “United Party of Russia” • United Party put together by oligarch Boris Berezovsky and other entrepreneurs to support Putin in the election of 2000 • Merger put even more political support behind Putin • United Russia won 221 of the 450 Duma seats in 2004 elections • Putin won re-election in 2004 as the United Russia candidate • United Russia is hard to define other than that it is pro-Putin

Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) • Communist Party of the old Soviet Union (CPSU) • After 1995 elections held 157 of the 450 Duma seats • After parliamentary election of 2003 only retained 51 of the 450 Duma seats • Party leader Gennady Zyuganov finished second in the 1996 and 2000 elections, but support for the party dropped each time, he withdrew from the race in the 2004 election • Party was weakened in 2004 when a breakaway faction led by Vladimir Tikhonov split from the party • Party is less reformist than other parties, Zyuganov opposed the reforms initiated by Gorbachev • Party emphasizes central planning and nationalism • Would like to see Russia regain territories it lost after Soviet Union dissolution

Yabloko Taken strongest stand for pro-democracy Survived since 1993 Grigori Yavlinski, leader, finished 3rd in 2000 presidential election Name is acronym for its three founders, also means “apple” Gained 4.4% of vote in 2003 parliamentary elections (4 seats) making it ineligible for proportional representation Union of Right Forces “Rightists” only in the sense of seeking truth Emphasizes development of free market Supports privatization of industry Had 29 seats in Duma prior to 2003 After 2003 elections only won 3 seats (less than 5% of the vote) Reformist Parties

Liberal Democratic Party • Controversial party • Headed by Vladimir Zhirinovsky • Extreme nationalist • Anti-semitic • Sexist • Attacks reformist leaders and disliked Yeltsin • Said he would use nuclear weapons on Japan if he were elected • Party reformulated as “Zhirinovsky’s Bloc” for 2000 presidential election, he received 2.7% of vote • Party did receive about 11% of vote in 2003 Duma elections (won 37 seats)

Iranian Political Parties • Constitution legalized political parties, but they were not allowed until Muhammad Khatami’s election (1997) • The Iranian Militant Clerics Society – left wing reform party led by Muhammad Khatami. • Khatami president from 1997-2005 • Several prominent politicians belong to this party including former Majlis speaker, and a vice-president • Candidate in 2005, Mehdi Karroubi, came in third • The Islamic Iran Participation Front – reformist party led by Khatami’s brother, Muhammad Reza Khatami • Founded in 1998, motto “Iran for all Iranians” • Did well in 2000 Majlis elections • Guardian Council barred many members from running in 2004 so membership declined

Political Parties II • Executives of Construction Party – founded by several former cabinet members of President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani • Important supporter of Rafsanjani and his political platform • Rafsanjani lost election runoff to Ahmadinejad by a large margin • The Islamic Society of Engineers – member of the conservative alliance, party of current president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who secured office in presidential election of 2005 • The “society” however did not support Ahmadinejad in the election, their candidate was Ali Larijani, who lost in first round

Reformist Parties • Khordad Front (Alliance between Iranian Militant Clerics Society & Islamic Iran Participation Front) – the alliance helped win reelection for Khatami in 2000. • The Second Khordad Front did not survive in 2004 elections as Guardian Council banned many reformist candidates from Majlis elections • Liberation Movement – Moderate party, party founded by Mehdi Bazargan (Khomeini’s PM), in 1961 it was banned in 2002 as subversive organization • National Front – headed by Mossadeq in 1950, it was banned in late 1980s • Exile parties – Mojahedin (guerrilla group fought the shah); Fedayin (Marxist guerrillas modeled after Che Guevara); Tudeh (communist party)

XII.Nigerian Political Parties • Factionalism led to creation of many political parties • Failure to create coherent party system • Parties formed and faded around personalities • Multi-party system reinforced and strengthened ethnic and religious cleavages • Independent National Election Committee (INEC) – registered a number of parties following the death of Abacha in 1998 • In order to run candidates for the legislative and presidential elections of 1999, a party had to qualify by receiving at least 5% of the votes in two-thirds of the states in the 1998 election • This cut the number of parties significantly, only 5 parties were eligible to run candidates in the 2003 election

Political Parties II • People’s Democratic Party (PDP) • Well-established Party • Began running candidates in 1998 • Party of President Olesugun Obesanjo (Igbo, Christian from the North) • Obesanjo received 62% of vote in 2003 election • PDP gained majority in National Assembly and most of the governors throughout the country • All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) • General Muhammadu Buhari, Muslim from the North, ran against Obesanjo • Received about 32% of the vote • Other parties that ran presidential candidates include All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), The Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJ), and the Justice Party • Alliance for Democracy (AD) did not have a presidential candidate in2003, but did receive 9% of the votes for the legislative elections

Chinese Communist Party (CCP) • The Communist Party of China (CPC), also known as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is the founding and ruling political party of the China and is the world's largest political party • The party has about 70 million members, 5.5% of the total population of China • The CCP was founded in 1921, came to power in China after defeating rival Kuomintang (KMT) in Chinese Civil War.

Communist Party • Ideologies: Communism, Marxism-Leninism and Maoism • Internal organization of the CCP is a hierarchy of party congresses and committees extending from the top of the system down to the grassroots. • Inner party rules for decision making are based on democratic centralism • Democratic centralism is aLeninist doctrine that requires consultation until a decision for an issue is reached by the party. After a decision is made, discussion concerns only planning and execution. Official flag and emblem of the CCP

Party Structures • Chinese Communist Party vests supreme authority in National Party Congress • The Central Committee determines the number of Congress delegates and procedures for their elections • National Party Congress ratifies important changes in broad policy already decided by smaller party structures and elects the Central Committee

Party Structures • The Central Committee exercises powers the congress between sessions. • Candidates for the Central Committee determined by Politburo before congress meets • Changes in policy or leaders at the political center need to be approved by this committee • It is the Chinese political elite • It is a collection of the most powerful several hundred political leaders in China

Party Structures • The Politburo is elected by the Central Committee • The Politburo are all members of the Central Committee • It is a top political elite, usually no more than two dozen leaders • The Politburo is in charge of overseeing policymaking in some issue area

Party Structures • The Politburo Standing Committee is also elected by the Central Committee • It is typically no more than a half-dozen leaders who meet about once weekly • The Politburo Standing Committee, as well as the Politburo, are the core political decision makers

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What we learned from local votes ahead of looming UK general election

Britain’s Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer, center, and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, celebrate with David Skaith at Northallerton Town Football Club, North Yorkshire, after winning the York and North Yorkshire mayoral election, Friday May 3, 2024. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Britain’s Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer with newly elected East Midlands mayor Claire Ward during a visit to Forest Town Arena in Mansfield, England, Saturday May 4, 2024. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

Conservative party candidate Lord Ben Houchen, left, with Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak following his re-election as Tees Valley Mayor in Teesside, England, Friday May 3, 2024. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Tourists on a cycle tour in wet weather plastic macs, cycle past the Houses of Parliament, in London Friday, May 3, 2024. Britain’s governing Conservative Party is suffering heavy losses as local election results pour in Friday, piling pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of a U.K. general election in which the main opposition Labour Party appears increasingly likely to return to power after 14 years. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Counting begins at the Blackpool South by-election at Blackpool Sports Centre in Blackpool, England, Thursday, May 2, 2024. The by-election was triggered after the resignation of Scott Benton. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)

Britain’s Labour leader Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria leave the polling station in his Holborn and St Pancras constituency, after casting their votes in the local and London Mayoral election, in north London, Thursday May 2, 2024. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

London Mayoral Labour Party candidate Sadiq Khan pats his dog Luna as they pose for the media he arrives to vote in London, Thursday, May 2, 2024. Khan, is seeking re-election, and standing against 12 other candidates for the post of Mayor of London. There are other Mayoral elections in English cities and as well as local council elections. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

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LONDON (AP) — Millions of voters in England cast ballots Thursday in an array of local elections, the last big test before a looming U.K. general election that all indicators suggest will see the Labour Party return to power after 14 years in the wilderness.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was barely able to point to any big success for his Conservative Party, confirming that the electoral coalition that gave the party a big win in the 2019 general election has frayed, if not completely dissolved, in the wake of a series of political dramas and the cost of living crisis.

For Labour leader Keir Starmer , the results provided confirmation of what opinion polls have shown for two years — that Labour has recovered from its 2019 low and is on course to win the election comfortably.

Here are five things we learned:

WILL SUNAK FACE A REBELLION?

It’s possible.

Though the Conservatives lost around half the 1,000 council seats they held, and suffered a huge defeat in the special parliamentary election in Blackpool South, a coastal resort town in the northwest of England, it looks as though Sunak will not face a revolt just yet from anxious lawmakers in his party.

That’s largely because the Conservative candidate in the mayoral contest in Tees Valley in the northeast of England hung on, albeit with a much depressed vote. That helped soothe some concerns despite losses elsewhere.

However, the defeat of the Conservative incumbent mayor in the West Midlands could prompt another bout of jitters among lawmakers increasingly concerned about their ability to hold onto their seats in a general election. Sunak is under pressure from different wings of the party to go further right or move to the center.

Overall, the results show that Sunak hasn’t improved the Conservatives’ overall position following the damage caused by the actions of his predecessors, Boris Johnson , who was effectively ousted, and then replaced by Liz Truss , whose tenure lasted only 49 days after her economic policies rocked financial markets.

WHEN WILL THE GENERAL ELECTION BE?

Probably in the fall.

In the U.K., the date of the general election rests in the hands of the prime minister. It has to take place by January, and Sunak has repeatedly said that his “working assumption” was that it would take place in the second half of 2024.

Though that theoretically could take place as soon as July, most Conservative lawmakers have indicated that the best time would be in the fall, when recent tax cuts may register with voters, inflation has fallen further, and interest rates may have been cut — helping to fuel an economic feelgood factor.

Waiting till the fall may also give the government a chance to cut taxes again in another budget. Conservatives will also be hoping that the controversial plan to send some asylum-seekers to Rwanda will have got off the ground and that there is evidence that it is acting as a deterrent for those seeking to make the dangerous crossing in small boats across the English Channel from France to England.

IS LABOUR HEADED FOR POWER?

It looks like it.

In historical terms, Labour has a mountain to climb, if it’s going to form the next government. Its performance at the last general election in 2019 was its worst since 1935. Starmer has tried to bring the party back to the center of U.K. politics after the leadership of veteran left-winger Jeremy Corbyn .

Starmer’s approach has clearly worked if Thursday’s results are anything to go by. Labour won control of councils in England that the party hasn’t held for decades, and was successful on a massive swing away from the Conservatives in Blackpool South, which if repeated at the general election would lead to a big majority.

Labour won in areas that voted for Britain’s departure from the European Union in 2016 and where it was crushed by Brexit-backer Johnson, such as Hartlepool in the northeast of England, and Thurrock in southeast England. It also seized control of Rushmoor, a leafy and military-heavy council in the south of England where it had never won, showing that it has a broad base of support.

It’s fair to say that enthusiasm levels are far lower than those that heralded the arrival of Labour’s Tony Blair before the 1997 general election.

That may be partly because of the more challenging economic backdrop , but Starmer, formerly a human rights lawyer, lacks the razzmatazz of Blair.

WILL IT BE A LANDSLIDE?

It’ll be tough.

One of the contributing factors to Blair’s landslide victory in 1997 came from so-called tactical voting, whereby some voters put aside their political preference and vote for whoever has the best chance of defeating the party they oppose the most. In 1997, that was the Conservatives.

Tactical voting has reemerged and was evident somewhat in Thursday’s elections where Conservative candidates lost out to other parties, not just Labour, but also to the centrist Liberal Democrats and also to the Green Party.

The Conservatives may also be outflanked from the right, with Reform U.K. poised to stand candidates across Britain. In Thursday’s elections, it was a minimal presence but where the party did stand, it clearly took votes away from Conservative candidates. That was notable in Blackpool South, where the Reform candidate was just shy of usurping the Conservatives into second.

Should Reform, which claims to be tougher on issues such as immigration and on Brexit , do as well in a general election, then it could lead to other parties, notably Labour, defeating Conservatives.

DOES LABOUR HAVE A GAZA PROBLEM?

It certainly looks like it.

In some areas with large Muslim populations, such as Blackburn and Oldham in northwest England, Labour candidates appear to have suffered as a result of the leadership’s strongly pro-Israel stance over the conflict in Gaza.

Labour’s vote share was clearly impacted, but the effect on its performance in a general election remains unclear, as those seats with a big Muslim population generally have big Labour majorities.

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He Won by a Landslide. Why Is He Fighting for His Political Life?

Ben Houchen, a regional mayor in the north of England, faces a close re-election race, partly thanks to the broader troubles of Britain’s Conservative Party.

By Stephen Castle

Stephen Castle interviewed people across the Tees Valley, watched construction work at a former steelworks and visited Teesside International Airport.

The last time Ben Houchen ran to be mayor of Tees Valley, a struggling, deindustrialized region in northeastern England, he stormed to victory with almost 73 percent of the vote.

Three years on, Mr. Houchen, a Conservative politician, faces a re-election contest in which even a narrow win would do.

As voters in England prepare to vote in Thursday’s local and mayoral elections, the governing Conservatives, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, are trailing badly in the opinion polls to the opposition Labour Party ahead of a general election expected later this year.

So Mr. Houchen has campaigned on his own achievements, relying on his personal brand as the poster boy for “leveling up” — the Conservatives’ flagship policy of bringing prosperity to disadvantaged regions of England.

But with Britain’s economy stagnating and its health service in crisis, will that be enough to outweigh the backlash facing the broader Conservative Party?

“If Houchen loses, given the profile that he has, and given that in mayoral elections people are more likely to vote for the individual, that would suggest that it is actually his Conservative links that have done for him,” said Paul Swinney, director of policy and research at the Center for Cities, a research institute. “Him losing would be bad news for Rishi Sunak.”

The result in Mr. Houchen’s region could determine not just his fate, but that of the embattled Mr. Sunak. Victory would give the prime minister something positive to talk about on Friday when results come in and the Conservatives expect losses elsewhere. Defeat could stir panic among Tory lawmakers and possibly prompt a push to replace Mr. Sunak.

Leveling Up

Once an area controlled by the left-of-center Labour Party, Tees Valley is part of a swath of England’s formerly industrial North and Midlands where voters switched en masse to the Conservatives in the 2019 general election.

Since Mr. Houchen first became mayor in 2017, a vast, derelict steelworks near the town of Redcar has been demolished and cleared for new projects, a failing airport has been saved and civil servants and filmmakers have been lured far from London to the northeast.

Many people in the area give him credit for these achievements. Heidi McCullagh, 42, runs a sandwich shop and catering business near the historic Transporter Bridge across the River Tees.

“We are 110 percent behind Ben Houchen because he has created so many jobs,” said Ms. McCullagh whose windows display his posters. “We do quite a lot of catering for businesses in the area; it’s definitely picked up,” she said. “Ben Houchen does everything he can to make Tees Valley a better place.”

Not everyone agrees. At the heart of his regeneration plan is an ambitious project called Teesworks, where, on the site of the former steelworks, construction vehicles busy themselves on a moonscape-like tract of land.

The idea is to convert this into a hub for low-carbon industries , but critics accuse Mr. Houchen of mishandling things to the financial advantage of two businessmen.

The project, which has involved hundreds of millions of pounds in public investment, was initially half publicly owned, but a subsequent deal left the private-sector partners in the venture with 90 percent ownership. (Mr. Houchen declined requests for an interview, but has publicly defended the deal.)

An independent review in January found no evidence of corruption but described “ issues of governance and transparency ” and said a number of decisions had not met “the standards expected when managing public funds.”

Last week, Steve Gibson, a former collaborator on the project and the chairman of a major soccer club in the area, accused Mr. Houchen of “giving away everything they had worked for,” an intervention that may boost the chances of Labour’s candidate, Chris McEwan.

‘An Emerald City’

On a bitingly cold day last week, five activists hung a banner from a road bridge near Redcar.

“Honk if you want Houchen out,” the banner read, and a steady flow of motorists sounded their horns as the protesters, wearing masks of Mr. Houchen’s face, cheered and waved.

“He promises that Teesside will become an emerald city,” said Ray Casey, a member of a small group that opposes Mr. Houchen, called Teesside Resistance. “It’s always just over the horizon, though — we never get there.”

Sipping a beer later, Mr. Casey, 63, said he felt the mayor ran “an operation entirely based on public relations and spin.”

Yet no one disputes that investment has come to a region of 304 square miles with a population of around 660,000 people, or that Mr. Houchen has good contacts. Last year he was nominated for a seat in the House of Lords by his ally Boris Johnson, the former prime minister. He also has ties to Michael Gove, the Conservative minister responsible for “leveling up.”

In the town of Darlington, a shiny, modern building is now the northern base of the Treasury, Britain’s finance ministry. Rail stations are being spruced up. A film studio has risen from the site of an old bus depot in Hartlepool, a gritty seaside town a long way from Hollywood in every sense.

The question is how much this is benefiting local communities.

Sacha Bedding, chief executive of the Wharton Trust, a charity based in Hartlepool, said investment was “creating the conditions that will give the area a proper stab” at regeneration, but that little had yet improved in the neighborhood.

“The number of people who have fallen into financial insecurity has grown, and people who are working have struggled massively,” said Mr. Bedding, adding that many lacked hope. “When not a lot feels like it has changed, you almost end up with the attitude, ‘Well, what’s the point in voting?’”

Sitting on a bench in Darlington, Ryan Walton, 19, said he planned to vote Labour. “Things have improved but not enough,” Mr. Walton said. “It would be better if they broadened their horizons and redeveloped areas where people live.”

Green Shoots

In a fractious televised debate last week, Mr. Houchen defended his record against attacks from Labour’s Mr. McEwan and Simon Thorley of the centrist Liberal Democrats.

In a dark suit, white shirt and striped tie, Mr. Houchen was confident and pugnacious, accusing critics of peddling conspiracies.

“If you think you can turn around and change fortunes in just a few short years, that just doesn’t happen, but what we are seeing is the green shoots,” Mr. Houchen said when asked whether local people felt better off.

For the filmmaking business, some of those green shoots can be seen in a movie called “ Upgraded ,” parts of which were filmed at Teesside International Airport, which stood in for a New York airport.

Mr. Houchen brought the loss-making airport into public ownership in 2019, an unusual market intervention for a Conservative politician.

But in terms of its main business — aviation — Teesside International has yet to break even and offers only a handful of flights on most weekdays.

Waiting in a largely deserted departure area before flying to Amsterdam, Derek Muir, 68, praised Mr. Houchen for saving the airport and said he would vote for him because “he gets things done and brings investment into the area.”

Looking around the airport, however, he said that the lack of any flights to London was disappointing. “I would like it to be more busy,” he added.

Stephen Castle is a London correspondent of The Times, writing widely about Britain, its politics and the country’s relationship with Europe. More about Stephen Castle

Politics latest: Keir Starmer accused of 'rank hypocrisy' by Rishi Sunak after setting out what he'll do to tackle small boat crossings

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer lays out his party's plans to try and tackle small boat crossings if it wins power. Listen to the latest episode of the Electoral Dysfunction podcast as you scroll.

Friday 10 May 2024 17:03, UK

• Starmer says small boat crossings 'one of the greatest challenges we face'
• Explained: What's in Labour's plan to try and tackle problem
• Darren McCaffrey: Will Labour's plan cut it with voters?
• Starmer says no flights to Rwanda will take off under Labour
• Sunak accuses Starmer of 'rank hypocrisy'
• Electoral Dysfunction:  Jess Phillips says Elphicke defection like 'being punched in gut'
• UK exits recession | Economy 'returning to full health'
• Faultlines:   Can British farming survive?
• Live reporting by Tim Baker

Sir Keir Starmer was earlier today pushed on whether Rwanda deportation flights will take off if he was prime minister - although it was not clear if he would cancel flights which had already been organised.

Sky News understood that previously booked deportation flights to Rwanda would still go ahead if Sir Keir entered Number 10. 

But the Labour leader has now gone further.

Speaking to political editor Beth Rigby , Sir Keir has ruled out any flights taking off.

"There will be no flights scheduled or taking off after general election if Labour wins that general election," he says.

He says: "Every flight that takes off carries with it a cheque to the Rwanda government. 

"So I want to scrap the scheme - so that means the flights won't be going."

Sir Keir says he would rather spend the money on his own measures to counter small boats.

"No flights, no Rwanda scheme. It's a gimmick," he says.

By Alix Culbertson , political reporter

Scotland's new first minister has told Sky News that the controversial gender recognition reforms "cannot be implemented."

John Swinney,  who became first minister this week , has faced questions over his stance on gender recognition after MSPs voted in 2022 to pass a bill to make it simpler for people to change their gender without having to obtain a medical diagnosis.

The UK government blocked the bill from being made into law and the Supreme Court rejected a request by the Scottish government for a judicial review.

Asked if he would be fighting to push the bill through, Mr Swinney told Sky News: "The reality of the situation we face is that the Supreme Court has said that we can't legislate in that area. We can't take forward that legislation."

The UK economy is no longer in recession, according to official figures.

Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by a better-than-expected 0.6% between January and March, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

Economists had predicted the figure would be 0.4%.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it showed the economy had "turned a corner".

He told Sky News's Ed Conway: "I am pleased that while there's more work to do, today's figures show that the economy now has real momentum, and I'm confident that with time, people will start to feel the benefits of that.

"We've had multiple months now where wages are rising, energy bills have fallen, mortgage rates are down and taxes are being cut... I'm pleased with the progress that we're making."

Mr Sunak added: "I am confident the economy is getting healthier every week."

You can read more here:

Rishi Sunak has criticised Sir Keir Starmer's position on Rwanda as "rank hypocrisy".

Speaking to broadcasters, the prime minister says the Labour leader has announced things the government is "already doing".

He gives the example of "punching through the backlog, having more law enforcement officers do more, that's all happening already".

"We've announced all of that more than a year ago," the prime minister adds.

"The question for Keir Starmer if he cares so much about that, why did he vote against the new laws that we passed to give our law enforcement officers new powers? 

"They've now used those to arrest almost 8,000 people connected with illegal migration, sentenced them to hundreds of years in prison.

"And if it was up to him, all those people would be out on our streets, so I think it's rank hypocrisy property of his position."

Sir Keir Starmer has said he has no doubt the government will get flights off the ground to Rwanda but Labour would "cancel the scheme straight away" if they win the next general election.

The Labour leader, announcing his party's policy on illegal immigration in Dover, said the government's flagship policy of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda will not work.

"They will get flights off the ground, I don't doubt that but I also don't doubt it will not work," he said.

When asked by Sky News political editor Beth Rigby if that means he would stop any deportation flights to Rwanda on day one of a Labour government, he said: "We will scrap the Rwanda scheme.

"I said that to you when we last met last week, the time before last and you know, that means ending the scheme.

"Absolutely. Flights and all."

Following the defection of the Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke to Labour, Beth, Ruth and Jess discuss the surprise move and whether it could have been handled differently by Sir Keir Starmer.

They also talk about Beth's interview with the former immigration minister Robert Jenrick and his warnings about Reform UK.

Plus, how significant was the defeat of former Conservative mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street? Beth and Jess were both there to tell the story.

And they answer a question on Labour and the Muslim vote, and what the party can do to restore confidence and trust.

Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at [email protected] , post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.     

👉 Listen above then tap here to follow Electoral Dysfunction wherever you get your podcasts 👈

In January 2023, Rishi Sunak made five promises.

Since then, he and his ministers have rarely missed an opportunity to list them. In case you haven't heard, he promised to:

• Halve inflation • Grow the economy • Reduce debt • Cut NHS waiting lists and times • Stop the boats

See below how he is doing on these goals:

The Sky News live poll tracker - collated and updated by our Data and Forensics team - aggregates various surveys to indicate how voters feel about the different political parties.

With the local elections complete, Labour is still sitting comfortably ahead, with the Tories trailing behind.

See the latest update below - and you can read more about the methodology behind the tracker  here .

More than 100 MPs have said they will not be standing at the next general election.

Those who have announced their intention to leave parliament range from the longest-serving female MP, Labour's Harriet Harman, to one of those only elected at the last election in 2019, Conservative MP Dehenna Davison.

This election is seeing the constituency boundaries changed, leading to some MPs deciding to step aside as their seat is gutted or entirely excised.

The vast majority of those leaving are Conservatives, with more than 60 Tory MPs stepping aside.

The average age of Labour MPs standing down is 67 - a full 11 years higher than the Conservatives at 56 and the SNP at 55.

Here is a full list of all the MPs standing down at the next election:

By Jennifer Scott , political reporter

In a dramatic move just moments before Prime Minister's Questions got under way this week, Natalie Elphicke joined Labour as her surprised Conservative colleagues looked on.

What exactly happens when an MP defects to another party?

Ms Elphicke  is far from the first MP to change sides between elections, but it was incredibly rare - until recently - for a member of the governing party to switch to the opposition.

She is the third Tory to do so in just over two years, following  Christian Wakeford in 2022  over the partygate scandal and  Dan Poulter just two weeks ago  over the Tories' handling of the NHS.

Before that, it hadn't happened since 1995, when Alan Howarth became the first ever Conservative to cross to Labour on the eve of his party conference, citing the "divisiveness" of policies under John Major's leadership.

Only three MPs in the past 25 years have gone the other way - from main opposition to government - all leaving the Conservatives to join Labour.

Defecting to smaller parties happens more often, such as moves  from both Conservative and Labour to Change UK  during the Brexit years, or  Douglas Carswell  and  Mark Reckless  heading over to UKIP ahead of the referendum.

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