Evaluate the view that the only political parties that matter are LP and CP. (P1)

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

LP and CP have a longstanding history of winning every election.

However, smaller parties have began to emerge which challenges the notion that the only parties that matter are LP and CP.

Question 2

P1- For

Answer 2

Historically either LP or CP always win.
2024 election- LP won 411 seats. CP won 121 seats.
Some regions historically never vote for a different party.

Question 3

P1- Counterargument

Answer 3

2024 election- minority party’s secured 61 more seats.
LibDems had a coalition with CP in 2010.
2019- Red Wall seats collapsed. 2024- CP seats fell to the LDs

Question 4

P2- For

Answer 4

Funding enables the duopoly-
CP recieved £11.3 mil from financial sector 2015-17
Media mostly focuses on LP and CP.

Question 5

P2- Counterargument

Answer 5

Smaller parties use social media more e.g Green and Reform.
Successful for them- Reform won 5 seats and Greens won 4.

Question 6

P3- For

Answer 6

FPTP makes it harder for minor parties to win. Because of this many voters vote tactically.
2024- LP won 64% despite winning 34% of the vote.
Reform won 14% of the vote with 1% of seats.

Question 7

P3- Counterargument

Answer 7

Minor parties raise issues that CP and LP don’t talk about- UKIP had an influence on the EU referendum.
Reform put pressure on LP because of inheritance tax on farmers.

Question 8

Conclusion

Answer 8

LP and CP aren’t the only parties that matter.
Minor party appeal to people dissatisfied with the current duopoly.
CP and LP benefit from FPTP but small parties are able to hold them accountable and influence policies e.g immigration.