Political Parties

Question 1

What is Populism

Answer 1

A political movement and way of campaigning that appeals to people’s emotions and prejudices by telling them what they want to hear and that tends to find supports among those who feel ignored by more established groups.

Question 2

In ____ the funding of parties was regulated by what act?

Answer 2

Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

Question 3

What four changes did the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act bring to the funding of parties

Answer 3

1. People not on the UK electoral roll could no longer make donations
2. Limits were placed on how much could be spent on parliamentary elections
3. Donations over £500 had to be declared
4. Donations over £7500 were to be placed on an electoral register

Question 4

In ____ party funding regulation was further developed by the ____________

Answer 4

In 2009 party funding regulation was further developed by the Political Parties and Election Act

Question 5

In the third quarter of 2019 (covering the general election) how much did the Conservatives party receive in donations

Answer 5

£5,300,000

Question 6

In the third quarter of 2019 (covering the general election) how much did the Labour party receive from public donations

Answer 6

£2,800,000

Question 7

In the third quarter of 2019 (covering the general election) how much did the Labour party receive from public donations

Answer 7

£2,800,000

Question 8

In the third quarter of 2019 (covering the general election) how much did the Green Party receive from public donations

Answer 8

£77,000

Question 9

In the third quarter of 2019 (covering the general election) how much did the Brexit Party receive in donations

Answer 9

£3,300,000

Question 10

Who could it be argued party funding favours

Answer 10

1. The two biggest parties, putting smaller parties at a greater disadvantage and creating political inequality
2. Right Wing Parties who have more affluent voters who favour low tax policies

Question 11

Why has reduced party membership impacted on party funding

Answer 11

Parties are more reliant upon donors which further opens up the possibility of corruption and the purchase of political influence

Question 12

How much did the _____ trade union donate to the Labour Party in ____ and why is this controversial

Answer 12

The Unite trade union gave £657,000 to the Labour Party in 2017.

1. Trade union donations to Labour have been criticised as members are not given a clear enough choice in whether their subscription should be spent that way
2. It is also argued the labour party is unduly influenced by trade union leaders because they create so much of their income

Question 13

What is Short money

Answer 13

funds given to opposition parties to facilitate their parliamentary work

the amount is given is based on how many seats and votes each party won

Question 14

What’s a criticism of Short money
How much did the SNP and Labour receive in 2019

Answer 14

Short money heavily favours large parties because it depends on how many seats parties have won aswell as how many votes they received

Labour received 8 million
SNP received 800k

Question 15

Which party refused Short money (include how much, what year, the MP that criticised Short money and why)

Answer 15

UKIP refused over half a million pounds in 2015 with their 1 MP Douglas Carswell suggesting it was corrupt and designed to favour established parties

Question 16

Arguments for full state funding of UK parties

Answer 16

1. Would end the opportunity for the corrupt use of donations
2. It would end the possibility of ‘hidden’ forms of influence through funding
3. It would reduce the huge financial advantage that large parties enjoy and give an opportunity to smaller parties
4. It would improve democracy by ensuring wider participation from groups that have no ready source of funds

Question 17

Arguments Against State Funding of Political Parties

Answer 17

1. Taxpayers may object to funding what can be considered ‘private’ organisations or parties with views they find offensive
2. It would be difficult to decide how to distribute funding
3. Parties may lose some of their independence by being funded by the state
4. Could lead to excessive state regulation of political parties