2 parties Flashcards
What type of democracy is the UK?
Representative
Where do right-wing policies come from?
Liberal and Conservative idealogy, including a liberal focus on the importance of limiting excessive government, keeping taxation low and protecting individual liberty.
Emphasis is placed on law and order, strong defense (army, police etc.) and national sovereignty.
Where do left-wing policies come from?
Emphasis on the importance of a fair and equal society through positive state intervention.
Higher taxes on the wealthy, extensive welfare provision and greater state influence on the economy.
Socially progressive, and favours an internationalist approach to global problems.
What is consensus politics?
Many philosophical and policy similarities between the main political parties, therefore leading to the opposition supporting some government policies.
What is adversary politics?
The main parties are divided by fundamental philosophical and policy differences.
What is Butskellitism?
When a party that is traditionally politically leaning adopts the policies of the other wing.
Hugh Gaitskell and R.A. Butler, Labour CotE and Tory CotE respectively came together to reach full employment and a mixed economy.
What is a mandate?
If a party wins an election they can claim the right to implement their policies as laid out in their manifesto.
Who is a clear example of Butskellism?
Tony Blair under New Labour.
What are the differences between the Conservatives and Labour party in reference to manifesto creation?
In the Labour Party, a National Policy Forum consults with party members over policy development.
Conservatives are more likely to have a manifesto drawn up by senior party members rather than party members.
What is a ‘doctor’s mandate’?
The government is able to propose measures not included within its manifesto in response to changing political circumstances.
In what ways do political parties help democracy?
Without parties it would be very difficult to establish a government as each individual would be separate from others.
Political parties develop their political programmes through discussion.
Without political parties, voting in elections would be more complicated because voters would no longer be able to associate a candidate with a manifesto.
Opposition parties can hold a government accountable.
In what ways do political parties hinder democracy?
Reduction in voter choice as voters must associate themselves with one manifesto, despite that manifesto not 100% representing their beliefs.
MP’s of a party are not able to represent their own beliefs as they must represent the views of the party (to a certain extent).
The almost tribalism between parties creates confrontational and negative approaches towards government.
Political parties give excessive power to the party membership.
The way that main political parties benefit from massively disproportionate funding ensures that they can monopolise political decision making.
How are political parties funded?
£2 million is allocated to each of the major parties in policy development grants.
Short money (named after Labour politician Ted Short) is allocated to opposition parties relative to how many seats they have. (£800k is given to the Leader of the Opposition)
Cranborne money (named after Conservative peer Lord Cranborne) subsidises the work of scrutiny carried out by opposition parties in the HoL.
What do policy development grants allow parties to employ?
Policy advisers
What do subsidies cover?
Anything outside of campaigning and election expenses.
How are campaigning and election expenses funded?
By party members, along with individual backing from benefactors.
What are some problems with current funding systems?
The Conservative party is massively advantaged as they receive huge donations from business men who see a Tory government as in their best interests.
The Labour party has a close relationship with the trade unions, and so receives a lot of funding from there.
Other minority parties are severely disadvantaged.
What did the Trade Union Act 2016 change in terms of Labour party income?
A new union member must now ‘opt-in’ if they wish their membership fee to go to the Labour party.
What did the Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act 2000 provide?
Greater transparency and fairness.
An independant electoral commission is established to monitor how much money politcal parties spend on campaigns.
The amount a political party can spend in any constituency is capped at £30k.
Political parties must declare any large donation (above £5k) to the electoral commission.
A party cannot receive donations from non-UK citizens.
Should the state fund political groups? (Yes)
The vast discrepancy in income across parties gives an incredibly unfair advantage to the Conservative party.
Controversies surrounding benefactors (‘cash for honours’ in which reports alleged that Tony Blair elevated donors to the HoL)
Should the state fund political groups? (No)
In a free democracy, people should be free to spend money on whatever they wish.
From a philosophical standpoint, stae funding suggests that parties are somehow ‘servants of the state’.
If you fund one group, you must then fund them all, which leads to funding of extremist groups such as the BNP.
What is libertarian?
Tends to mean you are more tolerant of people’s behaviour / lifestyle choices.
What is authoritarian?
You tend to be much less tolerant of people’s individual behaviours. You tend to be more strict against people’s behaviours as a result.
What is protectionism?
Protects the domestic economy from foreign competition through tariffs.
What is a tariff?
An added tax.
when was a two and a half system demonstrated
when the Lib Dems got 23% of the vote in 2010 = 53 seats.
how is a two party system demonstrated
in 2019 election - 87.2% of seats.
the green party aims and policies
supports social and environmental justice.
the green party stat on unfair representation
2015 - 1 million votes but ONLY GOT 1 SEAT
green party’s impact
their mere presence places pressure on the government and influences agenda - influenced larger parties to incorporate it into agenda.
DUP aims
links with free presbytarian church and social conservatism
confidence and supply agreement 2017
Theresa May didnt get an outright majority so she asked for the DUP’s 10 seats to vote in favour of the conservatives - in key policy such as brexit and budget
in return they promised the DUP 1 bil for funding in NI.
2019 DUP election result
8 seats
UKIP aims and policy
want to cease UK membership to the EU and East European immigration.
impacts of UKIP
success in the 2014 european elections 4 million votes + 24 seats = more than conservatives and labour.
this prompted david cameron to promsie a referendum in his 2015 manifesto to counter electoral threat - which prompted Brexit to happen.
SNP aims and policies
advancing the interests of scottish people, 2nd independence referendum, redistribution concerning land and economic powers.
SNP success in 2015
got 56/59 seats in scotland. they gained 50 seats.
SNP influence at westminster
they are vocal in their criticisms of Theresa May’s decision to bomb president assad’s military instillations. and also influential at brexit debate.
is the UK party system changing? YES x4
-500 parties registered to contest in 2017, showing how there is still competition and the FPTP hasnt dampened spirits.
-coalition 2010, 2017 confidence and supply agreement shows that minor parties can have a large impact on policy depite not winning.
-A minor party can concentrate support eg SNP getting 56/59 Scottish seats.
-UKIP 2014 european election 26.6% shows voters’ willingness to back smaller parties and shows voters’ flexibility is present at other elections than general elections.
is the UK party system changing - NO x5
-the presence of many parties is not new,
-small parties cant register unless they have more than 1000 votes
-nationally in 2017 only 28 parties managed to pass through.
-only Conservatives, Lib Dem and Labour have secured an excess of 1 million votes = two and a half party system
-basic proportional representation is missing from FPTP which constrains minor parties
UKIP not being represented stats
in 2015 UKIp recieved 3.9 million votes but only won 1 seat.
falklands war
1982 when MT ordered torpedos to sink the Belgrano which was where Argentinians were reclaiming the Falklands
MT used this as an opportunity to prove her nationalist sentiment and unite the people
what is neo-liberalism
new right thinking (economically) - committed to low taxation and austerity to reduce the deficit which’d reached £100 billion in 2010
WHAT IS NEO-CONSERVATISM
socially conservative thinking in defence, law & order, foreign policy and Brexit. eg trident, 2017 manifesto cutting immigration to 100,000
what is one-nationism
benevolent paternalism eg gay marriage and national living wage in 2016, rejecting ‘ the cult of selfish individualism’ as theresa may said.
why did the 2010 coalition fail for the lib dems
although they had significant influence, many policy compromises had to be made to make the coalition happen => lib dem voters turned against them in anger at abandonment of some policy pledges like not raising tuition fees
how many seats did the lib dems win in 2015
only 8 seats and the leader nick clegg lost his own sheffield hallam seat.
how are the conservatives economically aligned with thatcher?
-cameron started austerity to relieve the £100 billion deficit + low taxation
-Theresa May promised to slash business rates £6.7 billion and cut corporation tax 3%
how are the conservatives not aligned with thatcher
-boris johnson pledged to end austerity and pour billions into the NHS and infrastructure. he introduced the furlough scheme and tax&NI increase
how are the conservatives’ foreign policy aligned with margaret thatcher
-May launched airstrikes in syria that she didnt clear with parliament = demonstrates the same stubborness like the falklands and thatcher
-truss increased front-line border forces by 20% and doubled maritime staffing levels
-sunak’s top 5 policies include ‘stopping the boats’ and the rwanda policy
what is short money
provision for opposing parties to run and therefore effectively scrutinise govt policy etc.
2015 Labour recieved £6.7 mil
why is short money unfair
it is determined by the number of parliamentary seats held - in 2015 labour got £6.7 mil whereas the Green party got £115,000
what is cranborne money
paid to the opposition in the HOL for administrative costs and scrutiny eg 2020 Labour recieved £656,000
criticisms of short money x3
-larger parties have much more access to funds than smaller parties (2019 Green party £115,000 / Labour £6.7 mil)
-This can lead to a dependence on wealthy donors with political interests (Bernie Ecclestone Blair scandal (1 mil) for exemption of race cars in tobacco advertising ban)
- labour mostly funded by trade unions until 2016 (in 2014 60% of funding but after the Trade Union Act this dropped to 11%)
Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 x4
after the 1997 scandal
-set up the electoral commission to monitor election spending
-cap of £30,000 per constituency
-£500+ donations must be declared
-anyone not on the UK electoral roll is banned from donating -> reducing foreign influence.
=> there was more transparency than limit
Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 x2
following 2009 MPs expenses scandal
-gave the electoral commission power to investigate, impose fines, and ability to tighten restrictions.
potential funding reform
2015 labour and the lib dems suggested caps on party donations but this wsa rejected byt he conservative government who work closely with big business.
2007 Sir Hayden Phillips suggested taxpaying funding of parties
suggested reform of party funding x4
-restrict size of donations
-tighten on how money is spent
-restrict donations to individuals not groups
-state funding
should parties be state funded YES x3
diversity, donors, decreasing membership
- if aprties had more money to spend - they could finance the recruitment of a wider range of people to apply for parliamentary selections - making parliament more diverse. (2019 only 66 members were from a minority background, in Ireland, parties have to field 30% of seats to women otherwise their state funding will half)
- would end the dependence of political parties on wealthy donors that use donations to buy influence
(bernie ecclestone scandal 1997) - fewer people feel strongly aligned with a party - so memberships are decreasing, parties cannot fund properly as this is outdates. (1.5% of the electorate being a member of a party in 2022)
should we have state party funding NO- x2
- firms and donors are able to easily get access to politicians whether they donate or not.
- would anger the public for them to be paying taxes for a party they dont support. eg the BNP which promotes biologically racist ideas about supremacy.
northern research group
-CONSERVATIVE
-led by former northern powerhouse minister Jake Berry
-aimed at boosting spending and investment in the North of England
-more than 50 members
European Research Group
-CONSERVATIVE
-influential in the Commons revolt that saw May’s limited Brexit compromises then removed her from Downing St
-she was forced to incorporate them into her cabinet and policy.
-annual average of 21 MPs
Labour First
-LABOUR
-Luke Akerhurst and Matt pOund mobilise moderate members
-old right organisation with links to trade unions and local govts. founded in the 80s to combat new centrist labour
-most powerful in the party
Blue Collar Conservatism
CONSERVATIVE
-launched by Esther McVey in parallel with her brief leadership bid to succeed Theresa May.
-policies including redirecting foreign aid to domestic priorities
-159 MPs with even Cabinet members
what clause did tony blair remove in 1997
he dropped clause 4 which was nationalisation
lib dems policy
freedom, human rights, devolution
pro-eu, having strong connections with social democratic parties in europe.
remains divided on issues such as nuclear weapons and extent of socialist policy + the welfare state
What are the most impactful policies the SNP has made in Scotland?
Maintained free university tuition.
Prescription charges have been abolished.
16 and 17 year olds have been permitted to vote in local council elections and were allowed to vote in the Scottish independence referendum.
Why is it important to not overexaggerate the power of the SNP?
Scotland is still part of the UK, so despite their rejection of nuclear weapons, those decisions are still made at Westminster.
The Supreme Court also ruled that Scotland need not be consulted over legislation withdrawing themselves from the EU, despite their decisive decision to remain in the EU.
What is the most seats that Plaid Cymru has won?
4 out of 40 in the Welsh Parliamentary seats.
What is Plaid Cymru’s power within the National Assembly for Wales?
Limited, but they formed a coalition with Labour from 2007 - 2011.
Under the premise that the Assembly would have further devolved powers.
How did UKIP do in the 2014 European Parliament elections?
They did well, achieving 26.6% of the votes, more than Conservatives or Labour. They had 24 seats.
How did UKIP do in the 2015 GE?
Achieved 12.6% of all votes, but only had 1 seat due to the current voting systems.
What were the results in the 2016 EU referendum?
52% Leave
48% Remain
How did the Green Party do in the 2015 UK Elections?
3.6 of the popular vote, but only had 1 seat.
What is the DUP?
The Democratic Unionist Party.
What is the DUP’s priority?
To keep Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom.
What was one of the most pivotal events in peace processes in Northern Ireland?
The agreement to power share with Sinn Fein.
They still find it difficult to cooperate in government, and as a result their power sharing broke down in 2017.
What is the difference between confidence and supply, and a coalition?
c +s A minority government retains power by arranging with another party that will support it on votes of confidence and on the budget.
Confidence and Supply is a more informal arrangement than the coalition, as members of the smaller party do not sit in government and can vote against the government on other issues.
What did the DUP get in return for the CaS deal?
An extra £1 billion in funding for NI
A parliamentary veto over the government’s Brexit negotiations.
The Conservative government will not put pressure on the Government of Northern Ireland to adopt same-sex marriage laws, or to allow abortion.
What was a major factor into the decline of the duopoly at Westminster?
Voters voted on specific issues rather than voting on class due to growing partisan dealignment.
What did the 2017 GE spell out in terms of party models at Westminster?
The Lib Dems saw a huge fall to 8.8% voter share.
The SNP lost 21 seats.
The Conservative and Labour parties saw the biggest share since the 1970 GE.
Suggests a firm shift back towards a political duopoly.
Why did the share of Conservative and Labour votes see a huge increase in the 2017 GE?
The nature of British Politics saw a significant switch to an adversary nature so voters now saw a clear divide between the two parties, especially with Jeremy Corbyn moving the party more left, and May dealing with the issue of Brexit.
Has the UK become a multiparty democracy?
Yes:
Devolved assemblies see more than two party democracy
Smaller parties have been highly influential in recent GE’s
SNP has a significant parliamentary presence
As both Tory and Labour have not won a large majority since 2005 (other than 2019), significance of smaller parties is likely to remain significant.
No:
2017 GE saw Tory and Labour have biggest share since 1970.
Labour and Conservative have 89% of seats.
Support for Lib Dems collapsed in 2015 and 2017.
FPTP supports duopoly at Westminster.
Party funding makes it difficult to break into Conservative and Labour domination.
