Political parties Flashcards
Arguments parties should not get state funding.
In a free democracy, people should be able to support whatever cause they wish. Political parties are no different to charities or pressure groups.
If the state was to fund political parties, as occurs in some countries it would be controversial deciding how much each political party would claim.
Philosophically, state funding might also suggest that political parties were somehow servants of the state so, potentially limiting their political influence.
Arguments parties should get state funding
Reduces reliance on private donors or trade unions with vested interests, making parties more responsive to the public. Creates more of a level playing field for parties reducing the unfair advantage given by large donations. Parties could perform more effectively with the need to spend time and effort raising funds.
How much money did the Parties receive in the 2019 general election?
Labour:
£5.4m Donations from companies, individuals and trade unions.
Lib dem:
£1.3 Donations from companies and individuals.
Conservative:
£19.4m Donations from individuals and companies.
SNP:
£24,929 from individuals and companies.
2009 Political Parties and Elections Act (PEEA)
To make provision in connection with the Electoral commission; and to make provision about political donations and expenditure and about elections.
The 2000 political parties, Elections and Referendums Act (PPERA)
Sets the UK’s rules on political contribution and how much can be spent on national election campaigns.
Give examples of donations to political parties.
Conservatives granted Richard Desmond’s planning permission for the £11bn property scheme two weeks before the conservatives were donated £12,000 by Desmond.
Why does Labour receive the most amount of short money?
Because short money funds opposition parties and the more seats an opposition party gain, the more short money it receives. Labour is the opposition party with the most seats.
Right wing
This term reflects support for the status quo, little or no change, stressing the need for order, stability and hierarchy- generally relates to conservative parties.
Left wing
A widely-used term for those who desire change, reform and alteration to the way in which society operates. Often this involves radical criticisms of capitalism made by liberal and socialist parties.
Party systems
The way or manner in which the political parties in a political system are grouped and structured. There are several variants that could apply to the UK, these include one-party dominant , two-party, two-and-a-half party and multi-party systems.
Modern Liberals
Modern liberalism emerged as a reaction against free-market capitalism, believing this has led to many individuals not being free. Freedom could no longer simply be defined as ‘being left alone’.
Classical Liberals
Classical liberalism is a philosophy developed by early liberals who believed that individual freedom would be best achieved with the state playing a minimal role.
New Right (Conservative)
There are two elements:
1. The neo Conservatives who want the state to take a more authoritarian approach to morality, law and order.
2. The neo-liberals who endorsed the free market approach and the rolling back of the state in people’s lives and businesses.
One Nation (Conservative)
A paternalistic approach adopted by the conservatives under the leadership of Benjamin Disraeli in the 19th century and continued by David Cameron and Theresa May in the 21st century, that the rich have an obligation to help the poor.
New labour
A revision of the traditional labour values and ideals represented by old labour. Influenced by Anthony Giddens, the ‘third Way’ saw labour shift in emphasis from a heavy focus on the working class to a wider class base, and a less robust alliance with the trade unions.
