Minor parties and context

Question 1

SNP - Ideas and policies

Answer 1

• Complete independence within EU
• While in the UK, supports Const. Reform like proportional systems, 16 yo vote
• If independent, would redistribute wealth well, also supports living wage
• Anti Trident Nuclear
• Removed tuition fees as part of Educational Maintenance Allowance
• Strong green party policies
• Pro welfare and pro EU

Question 2

Green party - Ideas and policies

Answer 2

• Low cost, eco homes should be made by gov to solve housing
• Investment in public transport
• Uni Tuition removed
• Const. Reform to improve democracy
• Wealth tax, Living wage of 10 pound/h
• Opposed to trident
• Supports legalisation of cannabis

Question 3

significant role in the UK’s representative democracy

Are an important feature:

Answer 3

• Minor parties are important for representation of minorities and their concerns (Suppression caused by FPTP)
• Minor parties can serve to influence the agenda of large parties if there is seen to be support for them (UKIP made EU referendum happen, SNP Devolution Referendum )
• SNP
• Encouraged labour party to allocate powers + create scottish parliament
• Secured the referendum for independence
• Secured scotland power over all devolved matters (Tax rates, transport, education)
• Voice of concern following the (62% remain vote, suggesting unfair withdrawal)
• UKIP
• They can inform the major parties on the publics views (Brexit parties that want a hard leave getting 30% of vote whereas LibDem who want 2nd ref only 8)

Question 4

Minor parties are a not significant role in the UK’s representative democracy

Answer 4

• Minor parties are often temporary and limited as they may be a single issue (Relating to pressure groups. UKIP is single issue)
• The single issue nature means they have little in their agenda or manifesto they can do after goal (SNP for example, once devo is achieved)
• Minority parties promote and recognise potentially illegal/hate speech driven groups (Racism of UKIP, The White Rose, Britan First)
• They cannot gain the funding or support to match major parties

Question 5

Factors affecting party success

Answer 5

• Leadership - Charismatic leaders like Blair, weak like Ed Milliband
• Party Unity - 1997 Blair united with new labour, major massive divisions over brexit, splitting party, 2019 Cons. agreed on brexit where labour could not
• Wider political context - long stints (1997), bad rep of incumbent (2010 Brown lost), Sleaze scandals (1997 Major sleaze)
• Media - Newspapers reinforce political views, TV Debates by leaders make difference (May refusal) - Social media (2017 Labour success on FB)