2. Political Parties Flashcards
How much Short Money did Labour receive in 2015? How much did the SNP receive? - Political Parties
In 2015, Labour received £6.7 million in Short Money, compared to £1.2 million for the SNP.
In 2019, how much did Lord David Sainsbury donate to the Liberal Democrats? - Political Parties
Lord David Sainsbury donated £8,000,000 to the Liberal Democrats in 2019.
How much money did Unite the Union donate to Labour in 2019? - Political Parties
Unite the Union donated £3,000,000 to Labour in 2019.
How much money did Kwasi Kwarteng (Business and Environment Secretary) receive from pro-fossil fuel companies in 2019? - Political Parties
Kwasi Kwarteng received £16,000 from pro-fossil fuel companies during his electoral campaign in 2019.
What percentage of 2013-17 political donations did the Conservative Party receive? What percentage did the Green Party receive? - Political Parties
2013-17 donation percentage: CON = 50.5%, GRE = 0.7%
What notable policies were there of early 20th Century Liberal Governments? - Political Parties
The Asquith Government introduced welfare reform, old age benefits and sickness and unemployment insurance. Lloyd George then introduced the Liberal Reforms to further found the Welfare State.
What was the SDP-Liberal Alliance? How was this significant in 1983 and 1987? - Political Parties
The SDP-Liberal Alliance was an alliance between the SDP (formed by 4 Centrist Labour Rebels) and the Liberal Party, which split the Left of Centre vote in 1983/87, allowing the Conservatives to dominate Parliament against a weakened Labour Party.
What percentage of the vote did the SDP-Liberal Alliance gain in 1983 and 1987? - Political Parties
1983 - gained 25.4% of the vote
1987 - gained 22.6% of the vote
What are recent Liberal Democrat policies on tax, education, foreign policy and energy? - Political Parties
The Lib Dems would raise income tax by 1% and corporation tax to 20%, oppose new Grammar Schools to promote social cohesion, remain within the EU for international cooperation, introducing a tax on gas and oil producers to reduce burden of energy bills for people.
How many seats did the Liberal Democrats win in 2010? How many seats did they win in 2015? - Political Parties
The Liberal Democrats won 57 seats in 2010, allowing them into the Coalition Government, reduced to only 8 seats in 2015.
When were UKIP created? What ideals did they aim to appeal to? - Political Parties
UKIP were created in 1991, with the party campaigning on the issue of the UK withdrawing from the EU. It supports nationalist ideas such as curbing immigration and the rebirth of English industry.
What % of the vote did UKIP win in the 2015 General Election? How many seats did this translate into? - Political Parties
UKIP won 12.6% of the vote in 2015, translating to only 1 Commons Seat.
What are the policies of UKIP in terms of immigration, business, taxation and values? - Political Parties
UKIP supports a clean break from the EU, with immigration reserved only to skilled immigrants. They also oppose excessive large business yet wish to have minimal economic interference by the state in the affairs of individuals. They support traditional values.
How have UKIP’s policies changed since the EU referendum? How have the Conservative Party impacted their fortunes? - Political Parties
UKIP has struggled for coherent and distinctive policies since the Brexit vote as their main aim has been achieved. The Conservatives have also shifted further to the right, diminishing the need for a far-right party as UKIP supporters move to the Conservatives.
How is UKIP funded? Give a specific example of a UKIP Donor - Political Parties
UKIP is largely funded by Euro-Sceptic Businessmen, with Arron Banks a specific example of this, donating £1,000,000 to the Party.
How successful have the SNP been in General Elections? How many seats did they win in 2015? How many in 2019? - Political Parties
The SNP have been successful in terms of winning seats in Scotland but are always geographically limited by only fielding Scottish Candidates. In 2015, they won 56 seats, with 48 seats in 2019.
What are the policies of the SNP in terms of independence, tuition fees, welfare, defence and the environment? - Political Parties
The SNP advocate for Scottish independence from the UK, the abolition of university tuition fees in Scotland, the expansion of the Welfare State and NHS, support the abolition of Trident and increased environmental protection.
What current factions and disagreements exist within the SNP as a party? - Political Parties
The SNP has been split over whether a conspiracy has been launched by the current leadership to destroy the career of former leader Alex Salmond. This has seen the creation of a separate party, the Alba Party.
What evidence is there of the Lib Dems being influential? - Political Parties
In 2010, the Lib Dems succeeded in winning 57 seats and had reasonable influence as a coalition partner to place checks on the power of the larger Conservative Party. Held 5 Cabinet seats.
What evidence is there of limited Liberal Democrat influence? - Political Parties
Due to their involvement in the Coalition, support for the party has hugely diminished. They returned only 8 MPs in 2015 following their breaking of manifesto commitments. Had their proposal for changing the electoral system to AV rejected by 2/3 of the electorate in 2011.
What evidence is there of the SNP being influential? - Political Parties
The SNP have been on the rise since 2011, when they secured a majority Holyrood Government, managed to secure a narrowly rejected referendum on independence in 2014. Dominate General Elections in Scotland, winning 56/59 seats in 2015.
What evidence is there of limited SNP influence? - Political Parties
The SNP are geographically harmed by them only being able to win 59 seats at most in General Elections, they can never have major legislative power. They are campaigning for another referendum on independence despite the fact it has no backing from Westminster to hold one.
What evidence is there of UKIP being influential? - Political Parties
UKIP’s success locally and nationally in terms of vote share forced both major parties to co-opt an agreement for a referendum into their policy. They succeeded in achieving their main aim of leaving the EU without ever achieving any sort of major power. Won 12.6% of vote in 2015.
What evidence is there of limited UKIP influence? - Political Parties
UKIP have subsequently lost their influence having had their primary aim achieved. They received only 0.1% of the vote in the 2019 GE and have only ever returned 2 MPs in their history due to their dispersed support. Much of their support has migrated to other parties.
What is Clause IV? How did Tony Blair alter this and change Labour’s main values? - Political Parties
Clause IV is Labour’s commitment to the nationalisation of large industries, meaning any profits are reinvested in public services. Tony Blair abolished this, changing the party’s commitments towards the middle classes from workers.
What were pre-Blair economic policies? - Political Parties
Callaghan: 83% top rate of income tax.
Foot: control of prices of goods, return an ‘industrial democracy’ by restoring the strength of unions.
Kinnock: private investment in railways to aid their development, 50% top rate of income tax.
What were pre-Blair welfare policies? - Political Parties
Foot: 3% increase in healthcare budget every year, equality between men and women, improvement to unemployment benefits.
Kinnock: £1bn NHS investment over 2 years, expand nursery provision to children.
Wilson: introduced the Open University.
What were pre-Blair law and order policies? - Political Parties
Foot: prioritise crime prevention, introduce limits to police search powers and the powers of arrest.
Kinnock: increase numbers of police officers, relieve officers of non-law and order roles.
