Internal Structures Flashcards
How is the Labour Party organised?
Members are assigned to a local branch. Branches select candidates for local election and send delegates to the Constituency Labour Party (CLP)
What is the main organ of the Labour Party?
National Executive Committee
NEC
How is the Conservative Party organised?
Has branches that feed into constituency organisations, they organise election campaigns and help to select parliamentary candidates
How do the Conservative Party form policies ?
The Conservative Party leader has the main role in policy making. The 2010 manifesto is said to have been written by Cameron and 2 others.
How do Labour form policies?
Labour conferences were once genuinely policy making events, however in 1997 tony Blair changed it to a 2 year policy making cycle. Gave the leader more control.
2015- Corbyn wanted more open debate, (conference would have the final say)
Labour policy is largely developed through the National Policy Forum NPF
What is the role of the Labour leader?
The Labour 1918 constitution imposes restrictions on the Labour Party leader. They have to attend conference and fall in line with decisions.
Tony Blair was very powerful within Labour, he dictated the manifesto and election campaigns
Why is the Conservative leader more powerful than Labours leader?
The leader chooses both cabinet and shadow cabinet. Labours shadow is elected.
Leader has control over the manifesto and appoints the chairperson. Labours is elected by conference
How do conservative leaders get elected ?
Ordinary members have final vote between 2 candidates.
First leaders must gain 50% MPs votes in a confidence vote
How do the Labour Party elect their leaders?
Electoral college system until 2010
Ed Miliband changed in to OMOV and 10% of MPs need to back a candidate
2021 Starmer changed it so 20% of MPs need to back a candidate
How do Lib Dem candidates get elected to leader
Use OMOV with the AV system
How do the main parties select their candidates for election ?
1) hopefuls must be a party member and appear on a centrally vetted and approved list of prospective candidates
2) the local constituency draws up a shortlist
3) constituency members vote for their preferred candidate
