Paper 1 - Parties Flashcards
What is the primary function of political parties in the UK?
To represent the interests of different groups in society and to contest elections.
True or False: The UK has a multi-party system.
True
What are the two main political parties in the UK?
The Conservative Party and the Labour Party.
Fill in the blank: Political parties in the UK are funded by ______.
membership fees, donations, and public funding.
What is the role of the Electoral Commission in the UK?
To oversee the funding and regulation of political parties and electoral processes.
How are political parties represented in the UK Parliament?
Through Members of Parliament (MPs) elected in general elections.
Which political party is traditionally associated with conservative policies?
The Conservative Party.
What is meant by ‘party manifesto’?
A document outlining the policies and proposals of a political party for an election.
True or False: Political parties in the UK can receive unlimited funding from any source.
False
What is the purpose of party membership?
To engage individuals in party activities and provide financial support.
What is the significance of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011?
It established a five-year cycle for general elections in the UK.
Which party is known for its left-wing policies?
The Labour Party.
Fill in the blank: The UK political system is primarily based on ______ principles.
parliamentary democracy.
What is the term for the process of selecting candidates for election in a political party?
Candidate selection.
Multiple Choice: What is one way political parties can be funded? A) Taxes B) Membership fees C) Fines
B) Membership fees
True or False: Political parties are required to disclose their funding sources in the UK.
True
What is a coalition government?
A government formed by two or more political parties who cooperate to govern.
Which party is often associated with environmental issues in the UK?
The Green Party.
What is the role of a party whip?
To ensure party discipline and that members vote according to party lines.
Fill in the blank: The House of Lords is made up of appointed members, while the House of Commons is made up of ______.
elected MPs.
What is the term for the electoral system used for general elections in the UK?
First Past the Post.
True or False: The Liberal Democrats are a major political party in the UK.
True
What are ‘safe seats’ in UK elections?
Constituencies where one party has a strong likelihood of winning.
What is the significance of party conferences?
They provide a platform for party members to discuss policies and strategies.
What is ‘party loyalty’?
The tendency of members to support their political party’s decisions and candidates.
Fill in the blank: Political parties must register with the ______ to operate legally.
Electoral Commission.
What is the main purpose of opposition parties?
To scrutinize the actions of the government and provide alternative policies.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a political party in the UK? A) Labour B) Conservative C) Socialist Workers Party D) United Nations
D) United Nations
What is ‘electoral reform’?
Changes made to the electoral system to improve fairness and representation.
How do political parties influence public policy?
Through the proposals they make and the candidates they elect to office.
True or False: All political parties in the UK have the same funding rules.
True
What is the role of the Prime Minister within a political party?
To lead the party and the government, setting overall policy direction.
Fill in the blank: The Labour Party traditionally supports ______ rights.
workers’ and social
What is the term for the practice of drawing constituency boundaries?
Boundary delimitation.
What are ‘minor parties’ in the context of UK politics?
Parties that have less representation and influence compared to major parties.
Multiple Choice: Which political party is known for advocating for Scottish independence? A) Conservative B) Labour C) Scottish National Party D) Liberal Democrats
C) Scottish National Party
What is the purpose of party funding regulations?
To ensure transparency and limit the influence of money in politics.
Fill in the blank: The ______ is responsible for organizing party elections and leadership contests.
National Executive Committee (NEC)
True or False: Political parties in the UK can form alliances with other parties.
True
What is a ‘shadow cabinet’?
A group of opposition spokespeople who scrutinize the work of government ministers.
What is a Political Party
An Organised group of people who wish to gain Political Power.
How many political parties are there in the UK
300
Formulate Policies
Parties come up with programmes for government, They Create sets of policy ideas which are outlined in a manifesto.
Party Funding - Donations
Wealthy individuals, business’s or organisations can make large donations
Conservatives receive significant funding from business donors
Hedge fund managers donated £11 million to the conservatives in 2019
Party Funding - Trade Union Contributions
Labour recipe substantial funding from trade unions
2022 - they received £4.7million from unions such as unite or unison
Party Funding - Issues on Large Donations
Raises concerns on potential corruption or undue influence
2006: Cash for honours scandal
- 4 wealthy businessmen gave a total of £5million to Tony Blair during the 2005 election campaign to gain peerage.
Party Funding - Issues with Inequality between parties
Larger parties attract more funding than smaller ones
Which disadvantage parties such as the Greens and Liberal Democrat’s
Party Funding - Transparency
1997 PPERA act, published a report which regulated the funding and spending of Political parties and candidates. Created the Electoral Commission to monitor this.
Donations over £7,500 to national parties have to be declared.
