Parties in context Flashcards
1
Q
What does FPTP tend to create?
A
Two-party system
2
Q
Does the UK have a two party system?
A
- Two party system is where two political parties have a chance of winning and so power changes between them.
- Only labour and tories have a chance of forming government or being leader in a coalition because of their big support. They take a large % of the popular vote. (2017 this was over 80%)
- Minor parties have not been able to maintain much support. (UKIP has collapsed, Green party’s has declined, they haven’t added 1 seat).
- However, the UK may have a 2.5 party system, with the other party being the liberal democrats.
- Tories were majority in 2015, then lost it and formed a coalition with Lib Dems in 2017.
- They needed a third party to support government; hence a two and a half party system.
3
Q
How important are general election campaigns?
A
- Election campaigns tell public about party policies.
- Important: E.G Milliband was seen as a weaker leader than David Cameron due to problems in the election campaign.
- in 2017 labour performed well. However, studies have shown that people know who they are going to vote for before the election campagin and therefore they may not be that important.
