Theme B: Major Political Parties

Question 1

What are political parties?

Answer 1

Political parties are groups of people who share political views and goals.

Question 2

What is the aim of a political party?

Answer 2

A political party’s aim is to win a majority in a general election and form a government.

Question 3

What do most political parties represent?

Answer 3

Most parties are ideological and members share political beliefs.
Examples include the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru, and the Democratic Unionist Party representing national interests, while the Green Party and UKIP focus on specific issues.

Question 4

What is a manifesto?

Answer 4

At elections, each party presents a manifesto stating policies they would implement.

Question 5

What is the political spectrum?

Answer 5

Major political parties sit on the political spectrum that runs from left-wing to right-wing.

Question 6

What is Communism?

Answer 6

A system in which all resources in a nation are owned by the state and shared amongst all the people.

Question 7

What is Socialism?

Answer 7

A system of common ownership, offering more equality in society, and robust welfare for those in need.

Question 8

What does Labour represent?

Answer 8

Formed to represent the working classes and responsible for implementing the welfare state and NHS.

Question 9

What do Liberal Democrats represent?

Answer 9

Formed to represent the middle ground between Labour and Conservatives.

Question 10

What are the main principles of the Conservative Party?

Answer 10

Formed with main principles to protect British culture and traditions, promoting private ownership and private enterprise.

Question 11

What is the education policy of the Labour Party?

Answer 11

Create a National Education Service that provides free education.

Question 12

What is the education policy of the Liberal Democrats?

Answer 12

Reinstate university grants for the poorest students.

Question 13

What is the education policy of the Conservative Party?

Answer 13

Create more selective schools to improve standards.

Question 14

What is the health policy of the Labour Party?

Answer 14

Increase tax bill of top earners to fund NHS.

Question 15

What is the health policy of the Liberal Democrats?

Answer 15

Tax everyone more to fund NHS.

Question 16

What is the health policy of the Conservative Party?

Answer 16

Real terms increase in NHS spending.

Question 17

What is the economic policy of the Labour Party?

Answer 17

Reinstate public ownership of sectors like the railways.

Question 18

What is the economic policy of the Liberal Democrats?

Answer 18

Increase taxation of the richest.

Question 19

What is the economic policy of the Conservative Party?

Answer 19

Increase free trade, limit welfare, and decrease government spending.

Question 20

What is the social policy of the Labour Party?

Answer 20

Extend welfare to meet need; promote equality.

Question 21

What is the social policy of the Liberal Democrats?

Answer 21

Reverse the cuts to benefits for ages 18-21.

Question 22

What is the social policy of the Conservative Party?

Answer 22

Encourage more home ownership.

Question 23

What will students explore in Theme B: Democracy at Work in the UK?

Answer 23

Students will explore how parliamentary democracy works, the voting system and elections, roles and responsibilities of MPs, how laws are made, how the government manages public money, and how power is divided across the UK.

Question 24

What citizenship skills will students develop?

Answer 24

Students will take part in mock or real elections, debate key issues, understand how democracy works, and explore ideas like devolution and independence.

Question 25

Who runs the UK Government?

Answer 25

The UK Government is run by the Prime Minister and their cabinet ministers. MPs represent the people in the House of Commons. The Monarch is the Head of State, but has limited powers in practice.

Question 26

How does Parliament work?

Answer 26

The UK Parliament has two houses: the House of Commons, where elected MPs make laws and check the government, and the House of Lords, where members are appointed to review laws. Debates, voting, questions to ministers, and committees help hold the government to account.

Question 27

How is power shared across the UK?

Answer 27

Devolution means some powers are passed from the UK Parliament to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, and Northern Ireland Assembly, allowing them to make decisions on issues like education and health.

Question 28

How does the government manage public money?

Answer 28

Money from taxes goes into the Treasury. The Chancellor of the Exchequer decides how to spend it, and Parliament must approve the budget. Committees like the Public Accounts Committee check how money is spent.

Question 29

What are political parties in the UK?

Answer 29

Political parties are groups of people with shared ideas about how the country should be run.

Question 30

What are the major political parties in the UK?

Answer 30

Major parties often include: Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, and Scottish National Party (SNP).

Question 31

What does the Conservative Party generally support?

Answer 31

The Conservative Party often supports lower taxes, free markets, and traditional values.

Question 32

What does the Labour Party generally support?

Answer 32

The Labour Party generally supports social equality, workers’ rights, and public services.

Question 33

What does the Liberal Democrats focus on?

Answer 33

The Liberal Democrats focus on civil liberties, social justice, and pro-European policies.

Question 34

What is the Green Party's main focus?

Answer 34

The Green Party has a strong focus on the environment, social justice, and climate change.

Question 35

What is the goal of the Scottish National Party (SNP)?

Answer 35

The SNP seeks independence for Scotland, as well as progressive policies.

Question 36

What areas do party philosophies shape policies on?

Answer 36

Party philosophies shape policies on the economy, healthcare and education, immigration and law, and environment and climate change.

Question 37

How are candidates chosen to stand in a constituency?

Answer 37

Candidates are selected through shortlisting and interviews by local party members or open primaries.

Question 38

What methods do candidates use to campaign?

Answer 38

Candidates campaign by knocking on doors, holding events and debates, and sharing their party’s ideas in leaflets and online.