2.4 Minor parties (Lib dems and others) Flashcards
Evaluate the view that the UK is still a two-party system (30)
✅ Yes, minor parties are limited in power
FPTP marginalises them
E: Reform UK – 14% of vote, 5 MPs; Greens – 7% vote, 4 MPs
EX: In 2015, UKIP won 3.8M votes but just 1 MP
L: System keeps power with Labour and Conservatives
Rarely enter government
E: No minor party has led a UK government
EX: Lib Dems only joined as junior partner (2010–15)
L: Structural barriers prevent major policy control
Often temporary or unstable
E: SNP collapsed from 48 to 9 seats in 2024
EX: UKIP rose and fell around Brexit; never gained stability
L: Minor party success is often issue-based or leader-driven
🧾 Mini Conclusion (Yes side): Electoral and institutional obstacles prevent minor parties from holding real or lasting power.
❌ No, minor parties have increasing influence
Tactical voting and local targeting work
E: Lib Dems won 72 seats in 2024 on just 12.2% of the vote
EX: Took down ex-PMs’ seats (May, Johnson, Cameron)
L: Minor parties can be strategic disruptors
Agenda-setting and spoiler effects
E: Reform split Tory vote, Green pulled Labour left
EX: Farage’s pressure led to Brexit vote; now shaping immigration policy
L: Influence is often indirect but highly impactful
Devolved and local successes matter
E: SNP governed Scotland since 2007; Plaid Cymru strong in Wales
EX: Green success in local councils; Lib Dem control in South West
L: Minor parties shape politics at every level outside Westminster
🧾 Mini Conclusion (No side): Even without controlling Westminster, minor parties affect outcomes, influence narratives, and shape UK democracy.
Evaluate the view that minor parties have little impact on UK politics (30)
✅ Yes, their impact is limited
Underrepresented in Westminster
E: FPTP distorts vote-to-seat ratio
EX: Reform – 14% vote, 5 MPs; Greens – 7%, 4 MPs
L: Their power is not proportional to public support
Rarely influence government policy directly
E: No major ministries, little legislative power
EX: Lib Dems in 2010–15 were overruled on tuition fees
L: Minor party influence in national government is rare
Media and funding disadvantages
E: Press favours major parties; big donors prefer winners
EX: Reform and Greens struggle for mainstream airtime
L: Media coverage and funding bottlenecks limit impact
🧾 Mini Conclusion (Yes side): Structural barriers, media bias, and FPTP keep minor parties on the sidelines of national politics.
❌ No, their influence is growing
Tactical and regional power
E: Lib Dems won 72 seats with 12.2% vote via targeting
EX: Took seats from top Tories — May, Johnson, Cameron
L: Localised power can create national ripples
They shape major party policy
E: Reform pressured Tories right; Greens pressured Labour left
EX: Brexit referendum triggered by UKIP pressure
L: Their role as agenda-setters is powerful, if indirect
Success in devolved and local gov
E: SNP ruled Scotland, Plaid strong in Wales
EX: Green-led councils, Lib Dem local gains
L: Influence thrives in systems more proportional than Westminster
🧾 Mini Conclusion (No side): Minor parties increasingly shape the political conversation, outcomes, and local governance — even without major parliamentary clout.
Evaluate the view that the Labour and Conservative Parties are the only parties that matter in UK politics (30)
✅ Yes, they dominate political power
Control of government and major policy
E: All PMs since 1945 from either Labour or Conservatives
EX: 2024 – Labour won majority on 33.7% of vote
L: Political power lies with the two major parties
Control over legislative agenda
E: Government whips and majority power dominate bills
EX: Labour now controls Parliament after 2024
L: Other parties can’t pass laws or set the agenda without help
FPTP keeps them ahead
E: Converts low vote shares into majorities
EX: Greens/Reform underrepresented; Tories still 121 seats
L: Electoral system cements dominance
🧾 Mini Conclusion (Yes side): Legislative control, government formation, and electoral advantage make Labour and Conservatives the only real power players.
❌ No, other parties matter more than ever
Minor parties shift political debate
E: Reform dragged Tories right; Greens shape environmental policy
EX: Farage influenced Brexit, Green pressure on climate targets
L: Impact comes from leverage, not just seats
Minor parties shape public discourse and media focus
E: SNP put independence at centre of UK debate
EX: Reform forced tougher immigration stance from Labour
L: Parties matter when they reshape national conversations
Devolved and local governments tell a different story
E: SNP ran Scotland until 2024, Plaid strong in Wales, Lib Dems lead councils
EX: Local governance often run by non-major parties
L: Beyond Westminster, minor parties have real influence
🧾 Mini Conclusion (No side): Labour and the Conservatives dominate Parliament, but minor parties matter in shaping policy, debate, and regional power.
