Minor Parties (Lib Dems, UKIP, SNP)

Question 1

Who were the Liberal Party created by? What ideals did they unite behind? - The Liberal Democrats

Answer 1

The Liberal Democrats were created by a coalition between whigs and radicals who wanted free trade, low tax and more moral and liberal social policy.

Question 2

What notable policies were there of early 20th Century Liberal Governments? - The Liberal Democrats

Answer 2

The Asquith Government introduced welfare reform, old age benefits and sickness and unemployment insurance. Lloyd George then introduced the Liberal Reforms to further found the Welfare State.

Question 3

What was the SDP-Liberal Alliance? How was this significant in 1983 and 1987? - The Liberal Democrats

Answer 3

The SDP-Liberal Alliance was an alliance between the SDP (formed by 4 Centrist Labour Rebels) and the Liberal Party, which split the Left of Centre vote in 1983/87, allowing the Conservatives to dominate Parliament against a weakened Labour Party.

Question 4

What percentage of the vote did the SDP-Liberal Alliance gain in 1983 and 1987? - The Liberal Democrat’s

Answer 4

1983 - gained 25.4% of the vote

1987 - gained 22.6% of the vote

Question 5

What are recent Liberal Democrat policies on tax, education, foreign policy and welfare? - The Liberal Democrats

Answer 5

The Lib Dems would raise income tax by 1% and corporation tax to 20%, oppose new Grammar Schools to promote social cohesion, remain within the EU for international cooperation.

Question 6

How have the beliefs/factions of the Liberal Democrats changed over time? What faction now dominates? - The Liberal Democrats

Answer 6

The Liberal Democrats have now become a solidly Modern Liberal party, following their Orange-Book existence under Clegg. More welfare-orientated and socially liberal under Farron, Swindon, Cable and Davey.

Question 7

What is the Orange Book faction of the Liberal Democrats? - The Liberal Democrats

Answer 7

The Orange Book Liberal faction is heavily influenced by Classical Liberal ideas, yet is also influenced by Thatcherite, neo-liberal economic policy. Keen on people being free from government interference.

Question 8

How did the fortunes of the Liberal Democrats change following the 2010-15 Coalition? Why was this? - The Liberal Democrats

Answer 8

The Lib Dems fell heavily out of favour following the Coalition having broken many manifesto commitments in government, such as the commitment not to increase tuition fees (this resulted in the demolition of much of their youth support).

Question 9

How many seats did the Liberal Democrats win in 2010? How many seats did they win in 2015? - The Liberal Democrats

Answer 9

The Liberal Democrats won 57 seats in 2010, allowing them into the Coalition Government, reduced to only 8 seats in 2015.

Question 10

What are the 7 principles of the Liberal Democrats? - The Liberal Democrats

Answer 10

Liberty, Social Justice, Welfare, Constitutionalism, Social Reform, Liberal Democracy and Multiculturalism.

Question 11

What do Liberal Democrats believe about law and order? - The Liberal Democrats

Answer 11

Liberal Democrats believe that the penal system should reform as much as it punishes, paying attention to remedying the social causes that create crime.

Question 12

What do the Liberal Democrats believe about constitutional reform? - The Liberal Democrats

Answer 12

Liberal Democrats believe that there should be radical constitutional reform, introducing an elected 2nd Chamber in Parliament, a form of PR at elections, a codified constitution, increased devolution, etc.

Question 13

When were UKIP created? What ideals did they aim to appeal to? - UKIP

Answer 13

UKIP were created in 1991, with the party campaigning on the issue of the UK withdrawing from the EU. It supports nationalist ideas such as curbing immigration and the rebirth of English industry.

Question 14

When have UKIP previously been successful? - UKIP

Answer 14

UKIP won 12.6% of the vote in 2015, translating to only 1 Commons Seat. However, as a result of this large support, the Conservative Party co-opted the idea of an EU Referendum into their policy, which eventually succeeded.

Question 15

What are the policies of UKIP in terms of immigration, business, taxation and values? - UKIP

Answer 15

UKIP supports a clean break from the EU, with immigration reserved only to skilled immigrants. They also oppose excessive large business yet wish to have minimal economic interference by the state in the affairs of individuals. They support traditional values.

Question 16

How have UKIP’s policies changed since the EU referendum? How have the Conservative Party impacted their fortunes? - UKIP

Answer 16

UKIP has struggled for coherent and distinctive policies since the Brexit vote as their main aim has been achieved. The Conservatives have also shifted further to the right, diminishing the need for a far-right party as UKIP supporters move to the Conservatives.

Question 17

What current factions and splits have opened up in traditional UKIP voters? - UKIP

Answer 17

UKIP’s traditional voters have largely been absorbed into the Conservative Party or Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party, diminishing the importance and relevance of the Party.

Question 18

How is UKIP funded? Give a specific example of a UKIP Donor - UKIP

Answer 18

UKIP is largely funded by Euro-Sceptic Businessmen, with Arron Banks a specific example of this, donating £1,000,000 to the Party.

Question 19

Where is the majority of UKIP’s support based? - UKIP

Answer 19

Most of UKIPs support is located in deindustrialising towns and coastal areas that have seen the decline of UK ports, targeting these voters to argue the benefits of independence from Europe.

Question 20

When were the SNP founded? How did their political ideology change from being broad to specified? - SNP

Answer 20

The SNP were founded in 1934, with its ideology changing from initially encompassing left and right wing voices who campaigned for an independent Scotland to one which is identifiably left wing.

Question 21

How successful have the SNP been in General Elections? How many seats did they win in 2015? How many in 2019? - SNP

Answer 21

The SNP have been successful in terms of winning seats in Scotland but are always geographically limited by only fielding Scottish Candidates. In 2015, they won 56 seats, with 48 seats in 2019.

Question 22

What are the policies of the SNP in terms of independence, tuition fees, welfare, defence and the environment? - SNP

Answer 22

The SNP advocate for Scottish independence from the UK, the abolition of university tuition fees in Scotland, the expansion of the Welfare State and NHS, support the abolition of Trident and increased environmental protection.

Question 23

What current factions and disagreements exist within the SNP as a party? - SNP

Answer 23

The SNP has been split over whether a conspiracy has been launched by the current leadership to destroy the career of former leader Alex Salmond. This has seen the creation of a separate party, the Alba Party.

Question 24

How does the SNP’s regional success differ from their national success? - SNP

Answer 24

The SNP have enjoyed the luxury of dominating Scottish Politics and Holyrood since the last election, with a minority government succeeding in legislating there. Whilst they are now the 3rd largest party at Westminster, they still have little influence there on the passing of legislation.

Question 25

What evidence is there of the Lib Dems being influential? - The Liberal Democrats

Answer 25

In 2010, the Lib Dems succeeded in winning 57 seats and had reasonable influence as a coalition partner to place checks on the power of the larger Conservative Party. Held 5 Cabinet seats.

Question 26

What evidence is there of limited Liberal Democrat influence? - The Liberal Democrats

Answer 26

Due to their involvement in the Coalition, support for the party has hugely diminished. They returned only 8 MPs in 2015 following their breaking of manifesto commitments. Had their proposal for changing the electoral system to AV rejected by 2/3 of the electorate in 2011.

Question 27

What evidence is there of the SNP being influential? - SNP

Answer 27

The SNP have been on the rise since 2011, when they secured a majority Holyrood Government, managed to secure a narrowly rejected referendum on independence in 2014. Dominate General Elections in Scotland, winning 56/59 seats in 2015.

Question 28

What evidence is there of limited SNP influence? - SNP

Answer 28

The SNP are geographically harmed by them only being able to win 59 seats at most in General Elections, they can never have major legislative power. They are campaigning for another referendum on independence despite the fact it has no backing from Westminster to hold one.

Question 29

What evidence is there of UKIP being influential? - UKIP

Answer 29

UKIP’s success locally and nationally in terms of vote share forced both major parties to co-opt an agreement for a referendum into their policy. They succeeded in achieving their main aim of leaving the EU without ever achieving any sort of major power. Won 12.6% of vote in 2015.

Question 30

What evidence is there of limited UKIP influence? - UKIP

Answer 30

UKIP have subsequently lost their influence having had their primary aim achieved. They received only 0.1% of the vote in the 2019 GE and have only ever returned 2 MPs in their history due to their dispersed support. Much of their support has migrated to other parties.