Topic 3: Political Parties

Question 1

1. Explain and analyse 3 ways political parties are funded:

Answer 1

1. Membership subscriptions – Labour Party gains funding from member fees (e.g., £16.5 million in 2017).
2. Donations from wealthy individuals – Conservatives receive significant donations (e.g., £3.5 million from property developers in 2021).
3. Short Money – Public funding to opposition parties to help parliamentary work (e.g., Labour received over £8 million in 2019-20).

Question 2

2. Explain and analyse three ways in which minor parties can have an impact upon the political agenda in the UK:

Answer 2

1. Raising specific issues – Green Party’s focus on climate change influencing policy debates (e.g., 2050 net zero target).
2. Shaping coalitions – DUP supported the Conservative government in 2017 confidence-and-supply agreement.
3. Electoral threat – UKIP’s rise pressured the Conservatives to hold the Brexit referendum.

Question 3

3. Explain and analyse 3 key policies of the Conservatives:

Answer 3

1. Lower taxes – Commitment to keeping corporation tax at competitive rates (e.g., plans to reduce it to 19%).
2. Immigration controls – Promoted points-based immigration system post-Brexit.
3. Investing in public services – Pledged £34 billion increase for the NHS by 2024.

Question 4

4. Explain and analyse 3 key policies of Labour:

Answer 4

1. Public ownership – Rail nationalisation promised in the 2019 manifesto.
2. Green policies – £250 billion Green Transformation Fund proposed in 2019.
3. Social equality – Increase minimum wage to £10 per hour.

Question 5

5. Explain and analyse 3 key policies of the Liberal Democrats:

Answer 5

1. Pro-European Union stance – Advocated stopping Brexit in their 2019 campaign.
2. Education – Pledged to invest £10 billion annually in schools.
3. Civil liberties – Long-standing opposition to mass surveillance programs.