Essay: Evaluate the extent to which 'minor' parties impact the political argument and debate in contemporary Britain

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

• Given FPTP system used in Westminster - impact of minor parties arguably overlooked
• Particularly in their influence over specific political issues - e.g., SNP, Greens, UKIP
• On balance - minor parties do impact the political argument, despite sometimes lacking a voice in Westminster
• Argument relies on the idea of ‘single-issue’ political parties

Question 2

SNP - does impact the political argument

Answer 2

• Despite arguably not being a ‘minor’ party - it is on a UK scale
• Single-issue - wants to secure Scottish Independence - has caused growing tension between Scotland and Westminster
• Their growing strength in the late 1990s helped persuade Labour to implement devolution, as a way to curb support for independence and give Scotland, and other devolved powers, some authority to create their own laws
• However, this eventually led to a minority SNP govt under Alex Salmond in 2007 - became majority in 2011
• Led to the 2012 Scotland Act - gave more powers such as setting income tax rates - and then the independence referendum in 2014
• Debates about independence reignited after Brexit referendum in 2016 - Sturgeon argued Scotland didn’t vote for Brexit
• Influence over Westminster legislation - won 56 of 59 in 2015

This argument has more weight - due to significant constitutional debates that have been ignited and have continued since 2007

Question 3

SNP - doesn’t impact the political argument

Answer 3

• EVEL - October 2015 - limits on all Scottish MPs at Westminster

Less - weight - repealed July 2021

Question 4

Greens - does impact the political argument

Answer 4

• Has gained a lot of traction as attention paid to the climate crisis has significantly increased in recent years - and considering the environmental impact of decisions has become more important for the govt
• Some of their policies, including the phasing out of fossil fuel energy and implement renewable solutions, have influenced major parties - the current govt aim is for net zero carbon emissions by 2050
• Greens have arguably help influence discussions about climate - leading to the COP26 summit in Glasgow in 2021

This argument has more weight - much of the success of the Greens can be seen outside of Westminster

Question 5

Greens - doesn’t impact the political argument

Answer 5

• Nevertheless - despite over a million votes - only translated to 1 seat in 2015
• Small voice in Westminster as a result of FPTP

Question 6

UKIP - does impact the political argument

Answer 6

• Essential in influencing discussions over exiting the European Union - became a large, mainstream issue during the coalition govt
• Impacted conservative electoral success - pushed Cameron to promise a referendum in the 2015 manifesto - UKIP took 12.5% of the vote in 2015 -
• Some Tory MPs defected to UKIP - e.g. Douglas Carswell in 2014
• Brexit referendum 2016 - led to years of political gridlock and debate over how to conduct the exit, which concluded in December
• Nigel Farage arguably most important of the 21st century in Britain - he appealed to voters who felt disillusioned with the 3 main parties

Question 7

UKIP - doesn’t impact the political argument

Answer 7

• However, once again, similarly to the Greens - only picked up 1 seat in 2015 - despite almost 4 million votes

Question 8

Conclusion

Answer 8

• Despite some minor parties being limited and restricted by FPTP system - still able to gain significant ground outside the Westminster sphere