UK political parties

Question 1

conservative party structure

Answer 1

National Conservation Convention makes decisions for party

Conservative Campaign Headquarters at Westminster

day to day running by Board of Conservative Party- only 3 out of 18 members are from grassroots

Question 2

labour party structure

Answer 2

Constitutuency labour party in each constituency

National Executive Committee handle day to day running. 40 members including from 13 affiliated TUs

13 affiliated TUs coordinated by Trade Union & Labour Party Liaison organisation

Question 3

lib dem party structure

Answer 3

federal structure: local branches main role in constituency level campaigns

Federal Board: national governing body- 35 voting members- 15 directly elected by party members

Specified Associated Orgs. groups with particular focuse which submit motions to party conference

Question 4

conservative party leader appointment

Answer 4

most power to MPs

MPs vote in ballots to narrow down to 2 candidates
members then have final pick my OMOV system

Question 5

labour party leader appointment

Answer 5

Parliamentary Labour Party makes nominations first
candidates need 10% of MPs and 5% constituency party or 3 affiliates

party members vote on OMOV basis using AV

Question 6

lib dem leader appointment

Answer 6

need support of at least 10% MPs supported by 200 members from over 20 local parties

party members vote on OMOV basis using AV

Question 7

conservative party policy establishment

Answer 7

Leader’s team decides what goes in manifesto
delegates at party conference don’t vote on policy
Conservative Policy Forum set up 1998 to enable grassroots participation in policy- but role is advisory not binding

Question 8

labour party policy establishment

Answer 8

National Policy Forum reps from across party agree on policy directions
8 different forums that anyone can submit to
policies voted on at party conference

Question 9

lib dem policy establishment

Answer 9

Federal Policy Committee develops policies to be put to conference twice a year
any member makes proposal to conference
at the conference, all policies voted on by all members

Question 10

party funding- membership fees

Answer 10

income has decreased due to falling membership since 1980s.
fairest and most transparent method as large numbers pay small amounts

however not large enough to sustain level of fincance to fund national campaigns

Question 11

party funding- donations

Answer 11

rely on generous individual or institutional donors
however, also decrease as membership increases

Question 12

party funding- state funding

Answer 12

public funds available through Policy Development Grants
give £2m a year to parties with 2 sitting HoC members
short money (to opp in HoC) and Cranborne money (to opp in HoL)

Question 13

arguments for the state funding parties

Answer 13

1. money is “clean”- no dependence on wealthy donors
2. equality between parties- cons outraised all rivals in 2019
3. if state funding matched vote, would encourage campaigning in all seats to increase vote not just in marginal areas

Question 14

arguments against the state funding parties

Answer 14

1. voters shouldn’t have to fund parties they disagree with (tax money)
2. always inequality- some parties larger and donating is free speech
3. funding based on share of votes means harder for smaller parties to get off the ground: strengthens largest.

Question 15

Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

Answer 15

• spending limit on party spending in general election campaigns- £30,000 per constituency
• donations over £7,500 declared to Electoral Commission

Question 16

Political Parties and Elections Act 2009

Answer 16

• electoral commussion could investigate donations and impose fines
• higher requirements for establishing donation source: major donations can only come from UK residents

Question 17

minor party role: affect agenda

Answer 17

nationalist parties have regional followings such as SNP
45% vote in Scotland
without SNP pressure, Cameron wouldn’t have entertained 2014 referendum
Sturgeon provided pro-EU vote during Brexit- pointed out Scotland voted remain

Question 18

minor party role: different regions

Answer 18

Northern Ireland own party system. only conservatives have contested seats in Ulster politices (2019 0.7%)

dominated by minor parties like DUP

DUP help balance of power in Westminster 2017- ‘supply and confidence’ deal with cons.

Question 19

minor party role: single issue

Answer 19

UKIP and Brexit eurosceptic- did well in elections
success pushed cons. party into resolute position on brexit

however, eurosceptic parties only won one seat

Question 20

arguments for UK 2 party system

Answer 20

1. after 2019, 87% seats held by 2 largest parties
2. despite coalitions, 2 main have provided every PM
3. FPTP guarantees 2 party system

Question 21

arguments against UK 2 party system

Answer 21

1. recent move away- 2010, 2017
2. significant impact on policies- UKIP= brexit, SNP= referendum
3. diff parties hold power across UK and devolved nations