Political Parties - Topic 2.1 Flashcards
The function of political parties and their funding
What are some general left-wing ideas in UK politics?
- Those on the left of British politics have a positive view of the state and a collectivists view of society
- They believe that the government should reduce inequality and encourage social cohesion by providing an extensive welfare state
- The wealthier in society should pay a higher share of the cost of this trhough redistributive taxation. The government should also pay a major role in the economy through the nationalisation of key industries
- Left-wing politicians have generally enjoyed a close relationship with the trade union movement since the unions also represent the economic interests of the working class
- Socially, the left embraces multiculturalism. It is also socially libertarian and so supports giving alternative lifestyles equal status with more traditional ones
What are some general left-wing ideas in UK politics?
- The right wing of British politics focuses more on the importance of giving the individual as much control over their own life as possible
- Right-wing politicians reject left-wing attempts to encourage greater equality and believe that the free market operates best when there is as little government interference as possible
- Government should aim to keep taxation as low as possible and trade union influence needs to be limited in order to encourage the smooth operation of the market
- Companies operate most efficiently when there is competition, so nationalised firms are best privatised
- Although economically libertarian, the right wing is socially conservative and so emphaises the importance of a shared national identity and encourages tradtional lifestyles
What’s the difference between consensus and adversary politics?
Consensus politics means that there are many philosophical and policy similarities between the main political parties. The opposition may therefore be able to support some government policies. When politics becomes adversarial, the main politial parties are divided by fundamental philosophical and policy differences. The opposition will routinely oppose the policies of the government since they are so ideologically and practically opposed to them.
How are constituency candidates selected?
A key function of a political party is to select candidates to fight local, regional, mayoral and general elections. In order to contest a general election, applications have to be a member of the party and then go throuhg a national selection process to become an approved candidate. If they pass, they can apply to a constituency party that will then choose the individual it considers has the best chance of increasing the party’s share of the vote.
How is a party leader elected?
The members of a political party play a role in the election of one. In the Tory Party, the parliamentary party will agree on two MPs, whose names then go forward to party members to decide between. The Labour Party also adopted one member, one vote under Miliband. The current rules state that if an MP can secure the backing of 10% of the parliamentary party (in the case for both Labour and the Tories), their name will go to the party membership to vote on.
How is policy formulated?
Political parties determine the policy commitments that will be put in the party manifesto. In the Labour Party, a National Party Forum consults with party members over the development of policy. Before 2017, the National Party Forum and the elected National Executive Council worked closely with the leadership and senior members of the parliamentary party to ‘aggregate’ a manifesto that fairly represented the political opinions of the Labour movement.
The Conservative Party also encourages consulation and discussion among its membership, although the manifesto is more likely to be drawn up by senior members of the party. More decentralised parties such as the Lib Dems and the Greens give the party membership the final decision over what appears in the party manifesto.
How do election campaigns function?
Party activists will deliver leaflets, canvass voters on the doorstep and arrange political events so that voters understand the choice between the candidates. Political parties are increasingly using the internet and social media to engage with voters between, as well as during, elections. They also invigorate democracy by campaigning on local issues.
How does representation function?
Political parties also play a key representatives function by ensuring that everyone in society can have their say. In the 2019 general election, 75.7% of those who voted felt their political opinions were represented by the Tories or Labour. There is also the opportunity to vote for a range of other political parties, ensuring that even those with the most radical political opinions have the chance of being hear. Holyrood, the Senedd and Stormont, are elected using proportional representation, which gives minority and nationalists a greater opportunity to achieve representative influence.
How are parties funded?
UK political parties have always relied on a great deal of private funding, although they do have some limited access to public funds to subsidise policy development and parliamentary scrutiny. A leading criticism of the private funding of political parties is that wealthy vested interests can ‘bankroll’ a political party to achieve their own political objectives.
- Policy development grants allocate £2mn to all the main parties so that they can employ policy advisers
- Short money is allocated to the opposition parties for their work in the Commons based on the number of seats they have
- Cranborne money subsidises the work of scrutiny carried out by the opposition parties in the Lords
These subsidies don’t cover campaigning and election expenses.
What does the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act of 2000 state about party funding?
- It established the independent Electoral Commission to record and make public how political parties are funded.
- The amount a political party can spend in a constituency during an election is limited to £30,000
- Political parties must register large-scale donations (over £7,500) with the Electoral Commission and must not accept donations from non-UK citizens
Should political parties in the UK be state funded?
Arguments for:
Surrounding Labour and the Tories
- During the 2019 Election, the Tories and Labour were responsible for 80.5% of total campaign spending. This disproportionate influence is reinforced a duopoly in the UK
- The public funding of political parties would create a more level playing field so that smaller parties would not be so disadvantaged in elections. This would provide the electorate with a fairer choice
- The way in which they are funded connects Labour and the Tories to the trade unions and big business. If this connection was broken by public funding, then both parties would be more responsive to the wider public
Should political parties in the UK be state funded?
Arguments for:
Surrounding transparency
- Despite the cash-for-honours scandal, there have been further examples of big donors being awarded peerages. The public funding of political parties would remove the potential for claims of corrupt and help to restore public trust in politicians
- The cost of state funding of political parties would be compartatively small, therefore the increase in tax would be small
- State funding of political parties would encourage greater transparency and trust in politics
Should political parties in the UK be state funded?
Arguments against:
Surrounding allocation of funds
- If the state were to fund political parties, it would be controversial to decide how much each political party could claim. For example, if funding was based on existing electoral success, this could reinforce Tory and Labour dominance
- In 2019, 87 political parties received more than 500 votes. It would be controversial to decide which would receive funding and how much
Should political parties in the UK be state funded?
Arguments against:
Surrounding ethics and public engagement
- In a free democracy, people should be able to financially support any cause they wish. Political parties are no different from charities or pressure groups
- Philosophically, state funding might also suggest that political parties were somehow servants of the state, which might limit their political independence
- In 2019, the disproportionate financial influence between political parties had litte impact in terms of electoral success
- All parties raise money through charging membership dues. If they were publicly funded there would be less of an incentive for them to encourage political activism and engage with the public
