C2 - Political parties Flashcards
1
Q
Features of PPs
A
- members share similar political values
- parties seek to get candidates elected and form a govt.
- they have an org . That develops policy, recruits candidates and identifies leaders
2
Q
Nature / features of PPs varying
A
- mass membership parties ( UK Labour ), small leadership group that want supporters not members
- some are highly organised and permanent, some are less permanent
- some have narrow range of views, some have broad range of views
- some seek power, some want to influence govt. ( green )
3
Q
Functions of PPs (7)
A
- make policy - aggregation
- representation
- select candidates
- identify leaders
- organise elections
- political education
- reinforcing consent
4
Q
What does the function of making policy / aggregation mean
A
Aggregation - taking a wide range of views from members and public and condensing them into consistent and compatible actions
5
Q
What does the function of representation mean
A
- parties have bias toward the interests of certain groups
- populist parties with emerge and disappear quickly represent people who feel they’re not represented ( e.g. UKIP )
- issue parties represent particular causes ( green )
6
Q
What does the function of selecting candidates mean
A
Local councillors, elected mayors ,MPs and members of devolved assemblies are selected by parties in selection processes
7
Q
What does the function of identifying leaders mean
A
Parties identify
- potential govt. ministers
- prime minister controls appointment of ministers in the ruling party
- in opposition the leader will choose the front bench MPs
8
Q
What does the function of organising elections mean
A
Parties
- supply candidates
- publicise issues
- ensure counting is fair
9
Q
What does the function of political education mean
A
- informing people about issues
- tell people how the political system works
- media has taken over this role
10
Q
What does the function of reinforcing consent mean
A
- accepting election resulted and political systems so supporters do too.
11
Q
Mandate definition
A
Consent of electorate to put policy into place on their behalf. Means ruling party has the consent of electorate to carry out their manifesto
12
Q
What does mandate mean
A
- electors know what policies they are consenting to when voting
- gives parties legitimacy
- parliament can call govt. to account, based on their manifesto
13
Q
Problems with the mandate
A
- depends on a single party winning, so there is one manifesto
- voters don’t necessarily agree with all manifesto points
- things will change, after party comes to power, in the world so policy will need to change
- some manifesto commitments may be vague, so calling govt. to account can be difficult
14
Q
Manifesto meaning
A
A parties policies. Aggregation to create a coherent manifesto.
15
Q
Aug 2022 party membership numbers
A
Labour - 432K
Conservative - 172K
SNP - 119K
Lib Dem - 74K
Green - 47K
Plaid Cymru - 10K
( most of these have probably fallen )
16
Q
Legislation governing how parties are funded
A
Political parties, elections and referendums act 2000 (PPERA)
17
Q
what does PPERA do
A
- creates rules on what donations can be accepted, how their reported and controls campaign expenditure
- introduced the policy development grant and established the electoral commission
- donations over £500 have to be declared
- donations over £7500 have to be placed on an electoral register
- people not in UK electoral roll can’t make donations
18
Q
The electoral commission
A
- regulates party and election finances
- was set up and an independent body , now no longer an independent body and is now answerable to govt.
19
Q
Policy development grants - public funding
A
- grants that assist parties with developing policy
- parties need to be registers with the electoral commission and have at least 2 sitting and voting HoC members and who have made the oath of allegiance ( Sinn Fein members don’t take oath ) ( green don’t have enough seats )
- total available is £2 million a year, first mil shared equally between all eligible parties, second mil is shared based on size of the electorate party contests and represents ( E.g. SNP get less as they only fight seats in Scotland )
20
Q
What is money given to opposition parties in HoC and HoL called
A
- short money - in HoC
- cranborne money - in HoL
21
Q
Why is short and cramborne money given
A
Given to opposition parties to hold govt. to account, as ruling party has govt. funding and civil servants at their disposal.
22
Q
How is short money distributed ( 2022 )
A
1) general funding :
Around £20,000 for every seat won
Around £40 for every 200 votes
2) travel expenses:
£210,000 divided between opposition parties in same proportion as general funding
3) leader of opposition
£904,000 for running leader of oppositions office
23
Q
How are parties funded
A
- collecting membership subscriptions from members
- holding fundraising events such as festivals, conferences, dinners,
- donations
- short money
- loans from wealthy individuals
- self-finance of candidates
- electoral commission (policy dev. grant)
24
Q
What does party funding mean for large and small parties
A
- small parties get less money ( donors don’t want to give to a party that is less likely to be elected )
Large parties get a lot - ( labour - trade unions ) ( conservatives - rich people ) - Party funding promotes political inequality
- large donations represent a hidden form of political influence
- some donors may expect honours from party leaders
25
Alternative party funding structure
1) restrict size of donations to parties
2) tight restrictions if party spending
3) make it so only individuals can donate
4) replace funding with state grants
26
Why the state should fund PPs
- end opportunities for corrupt use of donations
- end “hidden” forms of influence through funding
- reduce the huge financial advantage of large parties
- improve democracy by enduring wider participation from groups that don’t have funds
27
Why the state shouldn’t fund PPs
- taxpayers may object to funding what can be considered “ private “ orgs
- difficult to know how to distribute funds
- parties may lose independence and become organs of the state
- state funding may lead to excessive state regulation
28
Examples of members of political parties sharing similar political views ( L, C )
- Labour members broadly agree on supporting workers rights and preventing businesses from exploiting workers
- conservatives believe in less govt. intervention and regulation in the economy. Free market.
29
Example of parties seeking to secure election of their candidates ( C,L,LD )
2019 A conservatives stood in 635 constituencies, labour stood in 631, Lib Dems in 629, green in 427.
30
Examples of parties seeking to form a govt.
- 2010 hung parliament, three largest parties ( C,L,LD ) entered into coalition negotiations. C and LD formed a coalition govt.
- 2017 - conservatives lost majority so Theresa may entered a supply and demand agreement with DUP to ensure they could stay in power.
31
Examples of parties having an org that carries out functions like policy creation and recruiting candidates.
- labour has annual conferences, where members, local parties and trade unions can put forward proposals to be debated. One policy that was passed at the 2022 conference was support for proportional representation.
- conservatives have a party conference where candidates can put themselves forward
32
Examples of parties being open to members of the public to join as a paying member
- can join the conservatives by registering online. Fees range from £5 - £25 for different groups.
- People can join SNP from £1 a months and get a lifetime membership for £625
33
function - Examples of political parties creating policy.
2023 - Rishi Sunak created policy around banning XL bully dogs
2023 - Sunak created a policy position for conservatives. He declared that he was going to stop various policies like having 7 bins for recycling, the ban on oil and gas fires, etc.
34
functions - examples of parties representing the national interest
conservative party after Brexit had a policy of "representing Brexiteers". May argued that Brexit was "the will of the people", so it had to happen.
SNP argue that they work in the interests of Scotland when they argue for independence. they got 64/129 seats in 2021 Scottish parliament. next largest party (C) got 31
35
functions - examples of parties representing the views of sections of society
Labour - created by trade unions to represent their interests and have strong links to "working class"
SNP - believe in Scottish independence and argue for nationalists in scotland
36
functions - examples of parties representing people who feel ignored by conventional parties
UKIP, Brexit party, Reform UK - populist parties that call conventional parties out for being "out of touch"
37
functions - example of parties selecting and vetting candidates
2021 - Sir David amess was stabbed, Anna firth was selected by conservatives to replace him and represent Southend west.
38
functions - examples of parties identifying leaders
2023 - SNP leadership election after Sturgeon resigned. 3 candidates to replace her, Humza Yousaf elected with 52% of the final vote
2022 - 2 conservative leadership elections. First saw Liz Truss win and the second with Rishi Sunak winning.
39
functions - examples of parties organising elections
2019 election - labour spent £15,000 and conservatives £3,000 promoting the election and key issues on snapchat.
40
functions - examples of parties doing political education
Scotland - political parties educate about the difference between various electoral systems in different elections . AMS is used for Scottish parliament elections and STV in local council elections
41
functions - examples of parties reinforcing consent
2010 - when labour couldn't form a govt. they accepted that the conservatives would take over and try to form a govt. this was important for stability at a time of uncertainty with a hung parliament.
42
conservatism roots
17th century - resist new political structures, "conserve" upper class's position
18-1900 - reaction to new liberal ideas - such as freedom of the individual or a laissez-faire attitude to economic activity - that led to French revolution
prevent the country from becoming too unequal, preserve unity and order
43
tradition/one nationism conservatism - principles
opposed to change
oppose rise of new ideology
Human nature - pessimistic
Order - strong
Tradition and preservation
One nation and organic society
Pragmatism
Property - defend property owners
meritocracy
44
traditional conservative principles - human nature
- humans are competitive, liable to fall into disorder and crave order over freedom
45
traditional conservative principles - Order
liberty, equality and democracy create disorder.
Conservatives are suspicious of ideas that threaten order
46
traditional conservative principles - tradition and preservation
- institutions like NHS, monarchy, CoE and political constitutions and values like preservation of marriage (they are good as they have survived)
- tradition preserves continuity
47
traditional conservative principles - one nation and organic society
- industrial revolution meant wealth divide in the two nations (working and middle class) grew. So conservatives should oppose things that create too much inequality so social order isn't disrupted
- people are held together by common sense of being part of society. well off people should care for poorer people in society. Policies should led society develop naturally.
48
traditional conservative principles - pragmatism
- politics should be a conversation not an argument and politicians should engage with the people and reach common ground.
- understand what is best for people. e.g. even though conservatives want less tax, since 2008 financial crisis they have resisted doing so to reduce budget deficit.
49
traditional conservative principles - property
- defend interests of home owner
- people have right to own property in security
- property owners want order so will ensure security in society
50
traditional conservative principles - opposition to ideology
- govt. shouldn't change society radically
- see ideological politicians as liable to be dictators. Leaders imposing their views on society is undemocratic.
51
new right conservatism (Thatcherism)
- neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism
52
neo-liberalism beliefs
- interference in economy is counterproductive, it causes inflation and less dynamism. Free markets more effective at creating wealth, so state shouldn't run any major industries.
- trade unions interfere in markets and damper economic activity
- excessive welfare benefits reduce dynamism and encourages unemployment - called "dependency culture"
- high tax disincentivises economic activity, so tax should be low.
53
neo-conservatism beliefs
- strong state, maintaining order and discipline
- lose attitude to morality leads to social order breakdown. traditional values.
- law and order is crucial for security. state should be authoritarian
- Nationalistic. Patriotism is important to maintain social order
- suspicious of multi-national associations (EU). Believe foreign policy should represent national interests.
54
examples of party funding - raising money from memberships
- conservative party membership costs £25, £15 for armed forces or £5 for under 26s
- £12 a year to join Lib Dems
55
examples of party funding - donations from individuals
first 2 years of Bo Jo's time as PM - 10 individuals donated 25% of the donations the conservatives got from individuals (£10 million)
largest donor to C during BJ was Malcolm Healey, within a 2 year period he gave the Tories £2 million.
56
examples of party funding - donations from unions
labour got £20 million from loans and donations from trade unions in first 5 months of 2022.
57
examples of party funding - short money
in 2022, Keir Starmer, got £904,000
58
examples of party funding - policy development grant
2015-16 - C,L,LD got £360,000 in policy development grants.
2015-16 - Plaid Cymru got £133,000
59
examples of party funding - fundraising
the conservatives hold an annual dinner. In 2022 it was at the VnA - tables go for 12,500-20,000. Prizes such as a dinner with the PM and his two predecessors are auctions (that sold for £120,000)
60
"old labour" values
-equality - supported redistribution of income, social justice
-see society in terms of class conflict. govt. must favour working class as their interests and interests of upper class cant be reconciled
-equality of opportunity
-collectivism- goals are better achieved collectively rather than individually
-trade unions are key - restore workers power
- statism - central state should control economic activity
-welfarism - every member of a society should be protected by a welfare system
61
old labour policy and actions (1945-51) (1964-79)
1940s - created welfare state, major industries nationalised, raised taxes on higher incomes.
1960s- comprehensive education introduced to created more equality of opportunity
1960s/70s - discrimination against women and minorities outlawed (equal pay)
62
new labour values
-opposed to hard left
- tried to find a middle way ("third way") between socialism and free-market neo-liberal ideas
- rejected class conflict idea - all people should be equal and be supported
- capitalism is best way of creating wealth - should be free of state control, although this could operate against consumer interests, so the state should regulate but not control
- de-emphasised collectivism.
- individualism is human nature
- equality of opportunity
- communitarianism - we are all part of an organic community and have duties in return for life chances
- committed to political and constitutional reform - saw UK as undemocratic
63
new labour policy and actions (1997-2010)
- didn't restore trade union powers that had been removed in the 80s
- didn't bring private industries back under state control
- didn't restore high tax for the wealthy. Instead they borrowed (turned to shit in 2007 when economy slowed and debts built up)
- increased NHS spending
- large education investments
- reduction in corporate tax, to encourage enterprise
- HRA 1998 , devolution , freedom of information act 2000, electoral reform in devolved administrations.
- encouraging employment - "welfare to work" systems
64
conservative policy under T.May - economy
huge economic crisis after return to power in 2010. £1.3 tril in debt. 2015 - £1.6 trillion. party adopted policy about reducing debt.
T.May - abandoned this as it was seen as unobtainable and inhibiting growth. she abandoned austerity (pragmatic)
tax - increased personal allowance to £12,500 and higher rates to £50,000 by 2020
- improved HMRC's ability to clamp down on smuggling, including improving policing of borders as UK leaves EU.
65
conservative policy under T.May - law and order
-£1 bn to modernise prisons
- reduce disproportionate use of force against black and ethnic minority people in prison
66
conservative policy under T.May - welfare
- promised real terms increases in NHS spending, reaching £8 bn a year by 2022
- scrapping the 3 lock on the state pension after 2020, replace with a double lock (earnings or inflation)
67
conservative policy under T.May - foreign policy
- promised to deliver "will of the people" with brexit
- cut net migration to <100,000
68
conservative policy under B.johnson - economy
pledged not to raise income tax, VAT or national insurance
69
conservative policy under B.johnson - law and order
pledges 20,000 more police and tougher sentencing on crime
70
conservative policy under B.johnson - welfare
extra NHS funding, 50,000 more nurses and 50 mil more GP appointments
71
conservative policy under B.johnson - foreign affairs
australian style points- based immigration system
"get brexit done"
72
conservative policy under Sunak - economy
promised to grow economy and halve inflation
73
conservative policy under Sunak - law and order
pledged to increase police numbers
promised to protect free speech and stop people being debanked for political views
74
conservative policy under Sunak - welfare
pledged to cut NHS waiting lists
cigarettes - increase age required to buy them by 1 year each year
75
conservative policy under Sunak - foreign affairs
stop the small boats
Rwanda policy to deport asylum seekers
76
conservative policy under Cameron - economy
2008 financial crash:
- higher taxes and reduced spending - austerity
- reduce direct taxes on people with v. low or high incomes
- reduce benefits
- increase minimum wage
77
conservative policy under Cameron - law and order
same sex marriage legal
fixed term parliament act
78
conservative policy under Cameron - welfare
reduced benefits, incentivise work
subsidise child care, encourage family values and work
79
conservative policy under Cameron - foreign affairs
limited amount of migrants from outside EU
agreed there would be a Brexit referendum if he won 2015
80
conservative factions
cornerstone
conservative way forward
tory reform group
81
cornerstone
motto of "faith, flag, family". wants: traditional values, the UK to be a Christian country. they are nationalist and want family values - reactionary attitude to reforms like gay marriage or abortion
82
conservative way forward
neo-liberal. Bring back Thatcher's legacy. want: retention of free market, free enterprise through low tax, deregulate industry. oppose trade unions and excessive welfare
83
tory reform group
promoted social cohesion. "one nation tories". reduction of inequality.
84
far left and momentum
Corbyn won leadership in 2015, this movement sought to sustain his leadership
- want tax reforms
- public ownership of industries
- increases in public-sector housing
- significant increase in min wage
85
"Blairism" and social democracy
- social democrats
- "new labour" policies should be sustained
- oppose Jeremy Corbyn's shifting party to left in 2015
86
Blue labour
- working class don't want left wing policies - but conservatism
- socially conservative - anti immigration , leave EU, oppose big business
- strongly supports working class
87
labour policy 2023
get Britain building again
switch on Great British energy
get NHS back on its feet
Take back our streets
Break down barriers to opportunity
88
labour policy 2023 - get Britain building again
build 1.5 million new homes
- restore economic stability and secure economy
- reduce energy bills
89
labour policy 2023 - switch on Great British energy
create Great British energy - new public clean power generation company
cut energy bills
create 500,000 new skilled jobs
deliver energy security
90
labour policy 2023 - get NHS back on its feet
cut wait times
more community care
improve cancer survival rates, reduce suicide rates
91
labour policy 2023 - Take back our streets
get 130,000 more neighbourhood police
halve violence against women
introduce new "respect order", new type of antisocial behaviour orders
92
labour policy 2023 - Break down barriers to opportunity
breakfast clubs in all primary schools
expand apprenticeships and skills training
93
classical liberals
early liberals who believed in individual freedom would be achieved best if the state plays a minimal role
support - free trade, widening of franchise, widening education opportunities
94
modern liberals
liberals that believe people aren't free under free-market capitalism, and the state needs to actively help
support - old age pensions, national insurance
95
ideas and values across the lib dems
- optimistic view on human nature. rational beings - able to make decisions in self interest
- equality of opportunity
- fairness
- freedom/liberty
- strong constitution - sets out checks and balances on power
96
lib dem policy 2023 - economy
invest in infrastructure and innovation
help people with cost of living and energy bills
make taxes fair, tax the rich more
clamp down on tax avoidance
97
lib dem policy 2023 - welfare
put mental health on same level as physical health
protect pension triple lock
ensure all new homes are warm and cheap to heat
98
lib dem policy 2023 - law and order
invest in criminal justice system to deal with backlog of cases
require home secretary, London mayor, and met police commissioner to draw up a plan to implement Baroness Casey review - report on misconduct, racism, misogyny within met police. (response to murder of Sarah Everand by an officer in 2021)
improve rehab in prisons
99
lib dem policy 2023 - foreign policy
ban import from areas with egregious abuses (e.g. Xinjiang)
control arms exports to countries with poor human rights records
100
consensus politics
refers to the general agreement over fundamental ideas. There might be disagreements in terms of detain of implementation, but broader values not in question.
101
adversarial politics
refers to a period where there are significant divisions between the ideological positions of parties.
102
times of consensus politics
1950s-70s
1997-2015
103
times of adversary politics
1979-90
104
consensus politics 50s-70s
labour, under Clement Atlee, had introduced a large welfare state in the the 40s and nationalised alot of industry - the conservatives from 1951-64 saw people liked this, so built on it. led to period of consensus till 70s
105
consensus politics 1997-2015
post thatcher consensus. Blair became dominant, so C and LD saw his policies popular. consensus over:
- maintaining strong welfare state
- making UK more democratic
- improving HR protection
- reduce poverty
- improve education
106
adversary politics 1979-90
- Thatcher's conservative "new right" politics
- Michael foot's labour moved left
adversarial politics over:
- conservatives supported privatisation of industry, labour didn't
- conservatives placed legal restrictions on trade unions
- conservatives removed legal regulation on financial industry
- conservatives reduced tax for businesses and high income groups
107
why small parties succeed
- if they have wealthy benefactors (e.g. UKIP after 2010)
- a strong charismatic leader (e.g. SNP under Nicola Sturgeon)
- gain widespread popular support through populist ideas (e.g. UKIP)
108
why small parties fail
- in electoral systems, like FPTP, that discriminate against them
- they lack funding
109
why larger parties succeed/fail (7)
leadership
unity
media
campaigns
policy
opposition
wider political context
110
why larger parties succeed/fail - leadership
voters like experienced, intelligent, have the ability to lead, decisive, have a good media image, honest leaders.
2016 - T May led conservatives:
- poll ratings high
- she was a former home secretary for 6 years (experienced)
- elected unopposed in party (leadership)
- good media image as having integrity and being tough
Cameron - seen as a strong, popular leader. First PM to increase party's vote share since 1955 when he won a majority in 2015
Blair seen as strong, uniting leader
111
why larger parties succeed/fail - unity
united parties are more reliable
1980s conservatives:
- united around Thatcher, labour divided between left and right wings
- conservatives won 1983 and 1987 elections
1997 Labour:
- united around New Labour under Blair, conservatives divided over EU under Major
112
why larger parties succeed/fail - Media
party image is important
correlation between political views of readers and newspaper
Times - conservative - 60% readers support conservatives
Daily telegraph - conservative - 72% readers support
Daily mirror - Labour - 62% readers support
- may just be because readers read newspapers with same political affiliation
TV debates important:
2010 - Nick Clegg - praised for TV debate performance (party did well enough to enter coalition govt. in 2010)
2015 - Ed Miliband (Labour) did poorly in Tv debates, a factor in Labour failure to win
113
why larger parties succeed/fail - campaigns
get supporters out to vote and convince undecided people to vote for the party:
2017 - Labour over course of the campaign achieved 20% swing in the polls, 40% of those who voted for Labour were undecided or going to vote differently prior to the campaign.
114
why larger parties succeed/fail - policy
Thatcher - defining policy was "right to buy", giving working class people the chance to buy their council house at a discount. Policy was popular and helped win 1980's
115
why larger parties succeed/fail - opposition
1992 - Labour faced conservatives, under Major who were divided over Europe, damaged by introduction of "poll tax", and who had recently made an inexperienced John Major leader. despite expectations conservatives won a 21 seat majority
116
why larger parties succeed/fail - wider political context
1983 - decision to go to war in Falklands, ending in victory. Cementing Thatcher's image as the Iron lady, and helped C win the 83 election.
2005 - Blair won, despite more rebellions from L backbenchers, over decision to go to war in Iraq.
117
factors affecting party success examples - electoral system
all govt. formed since 1945 have been lead either by a C or L PM. These 2 parties dominate vote share and seat numbers.
Last 15 years - 2 hung parliaments
118
factors affecting party success examples - unity
2019 - C united over "get Brexit done" election message. Whereas Labour more divided.
119
factors affecting party success examples - policy
2019 - C "get Brexit done" gave a clear position for supporters to rally around. led to winning of "Red wall"
2019 European parliament elections - parties with clearest positions (Brexit party - carry out brexit , Lib dems - sop brexit) got highest no. seats
120
