2. Political Parties Flashcards
What are the functions and features of political parties?
- Representation of views
- To educate the electorate
- Recruiting office holders (candidates for public office)
- Formulating policy and a manifesto
- Providing a strong and stable government
How are MPs paid?
Through general taxation.
Are political parties state funded?
No, except for Short Money for the opposition in parliament.
What act did the Blair government introduce regarding party funding and why?
2000 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums act to overcome the perception that party funding was undemocratic.
Why was party funding considered undemocratic?
Parties receive donations from businesses and unions meaning more successful/ bigger parties will gain more funding and therefore, grow bigger leaving smaller parties behind.
As a result of the 2000 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums act, what was set up to control party spending on election campaigns and what was the amount that a party could spend per constituency capped at?
Independent electoral commission. £30,000.
Which scandals showed parties giving special treatment to donators?
‘Cash for honours’ - 2006.
Bernie Ecclestone’s smoking ads.
What is a potential reform to stop private donations?
State funding parties.
Why should parties be state funded?
- Parties play an important role in rep dem so deserve funding
- Public funding would remove the great disparity in resources available to different sized parties
- It would curb the potentially corrupt influence of private backers
- Public funding would remove the inequality of resources within parties
Why shouldn’t parties be state funded?
- Could lead to greater state regulations decreasing party independence
- It is hard to decide how much following a party should have to be eligible for state funding
- Would be resented by tax payers as there would be higher tax rates or less money into other services
- Could isolate parties from the wishes of the voters
What are the 3 main established parties?
- Conservative
- Labour
- Liberal Democrats
What elements did Thatcherism comprise?
- Control of public spending + tax cuts
- Privatisation of industries
- Legal limits on trade union power
- Tough approach to law and order
- Strong foreign policy on assertion of British interests abroad
- A desire to protect national sovereignty over the EU
What faction of conservatism was Thatcher?
New Right Conservatism.
What factions of conservatism are David Cameron and Theresa May?
One Nation Conservatism.
In what ways did Cameron’s government remain closely lined with Thatcherism?
- Economic policy = reduce the budget deficit acquired from Labour
- Welfare Policy = encourage self-reliance under the coalition
- Foreign Policy = air strikes
In what ways did Cameron’s government differ from Thatcherism?
Law and Order = More liberal approach (hug a hoodie).
What were the key features of New Labour?
- Emphasis on wealth creation not redistribution
- People need to be aware of their responsibilities to the community as well as their rights
- Responsibility in handling the national finances
- Enlisting the private sector to deliver public services
- Influence of liberal ideology on Labour thinking
What were some of the policies of Corbyn?
- Large scale funding of industry and infrastructure
- Opposition to benefit cuts
- Abolition of Trident and withdrawal from NATO
What were the lib dem policies post 2015?
- Eliminating the budget deficit
- Control spending on benefits
- Defence of Civil liberties
- EU membership
Name 3 minor parties in the UK
- Green Party
- Scottish National Party (SNP)
- Reform UK
What is the main policy of the SNP and what did they encourage in 1997 to help this?
- Independence for Scotland
- They encouraged devolution
What are the 2 main policies of Reform?
- ‘Taking back’ control from the EU
- Restrict immigration
What other than the environment is the Green Party concerned in reducing?
Social Inequalities.
What voting system is used in UK general elections?
FPTP.
What voting system is used in the Scottish Parliament?
AMS.
What voting system is used in the Northern Ireland General Assembly?
STV.
What are the key factors that constitute a party’s success?
- The strength of the party’s leadership
- The extent to which parties are united/divided between different party factions (Party Unity)
- The presentation of the party in the media
