2.1 - Political Parties Flashcards
What is a political party?
An organisation of people with similar political values and views
What do parties seek to secure?
Parties seek to secure the election of their candidates as representatives or to form a gov at various levels
What are the functions of political parties? (4)
- Making policy
- Representation
- Selecting candidates
- Identifying leaders
What are the sources of UK party funding? (7)
- Collecting membership subscriptions from members
- Holding fundraising events
- Receiving donations from supporters
- Raising loans from wealthy individuals or banks
- Self-financing of candidates for office
- Up to £2 million per party available in grants from the Electoral Commission
- Money granted to opposition parties in the Commons and the Lords
What % of Lab’s finances came from TUs in 2014-15 and 2017?
- 2014-15 - 60% of Lab total income
- 2017 - 11% of Lab total income
Why is there a disadvantage for smaller parties in terms of financing?
Larger parties able to attract more money than smaller ones –
smaller parties don’t attract the same kind of donations and have less members – disadvantaged
Why is party funding controversial?
Funding by large donors represents a hidden and unaccountable form of political influence (although strictly speaking parties are not allowed to change their policies for donors, but donors must want something out of the deal)
Examples of party funding abuses under Blair and Johnson (2)
- Cash for Peerages - Blair - 2006-7
- Boris giving donors who paid £2 million to the Cons peerages throughout his tenure as PM
% of donations that came from super donors 2017 and 2019?
- 2017 - 30.8%
- 2019 - 45.4%
