UK political Parties In Context Flashcards
What is a party system ?
- way or manner which the political parties in a political system are grouped and structured
- include one party dominant , two party, two and a half party and multiparty system
What is the features of the one party system
- Communist state with with the communist party being the only legal party (with a single political party controls the ruling system)
- all other parties are banned and one person rules
Countries with a one party system
North Korea, china and Cuba
What is a dominant-party system ?
A dominant-party system is where only one party has a realistic chance of winning political power even though a number of parties stand in the election
countries with a dominant party system ?
Scotland SNP
Features of dominant system in Scotland ?
SNP has holds nearly all the UK parliamentary seats and has governed Scotland since 2007, holding more seats than any other party in the Scottish parliament
What is a two party system
A two-party system is where only two political parties have a chance of success at an election and so power shifts between those two parties.
Example of the two party system
- Democrats and republicans in USA hold all elected positions at all levels of government in the USA
- The First Past the Post electoral voting system is more likely to result in a two-party system e.g conservatives and Labour either win
What is a two an a half party system
Two main parties exist in the party system, but a third, smaller party challenges the dominance of the two main parties.
Example of a two and a half party system ?
the 2010-2015 coalition government, the Liberal Democrats could be argued to be the half-party.
They didn’t achieve enough votes to form a majority but could support the Conservatives in a coalition.
What is a multi party system ?
A multi-party system is where more than two parties have the possibility of winning an election or of being able to take up a role in power as part of a governing coalition
Example of a multiparty system
Germany has a four party system with the Christian democrats and social democrats dominating but form a coalition with the greens or free democrats
Why does the electoral system discriminate other parties ?
As unable to convert their increasing proportion of votes won significantly into number of seats
UK is a two party system in terms of what ?
Seats
And the UK is a multiparty system in terms of what ?
Votes
What % of the votes in 2019 was for the main parties ?
77%
What party system is the UK overall ?
Multiparty system as many parties in different areas competing to gain power but in terms of electoral results UK elections reveals a dominant or two party system at work
what party system is in Northern Ireland ?
Northern Ireland has its own party system that appears to be a multi party with a number of parties being required to form a coalition to create goverment
BUT
Also a dominant two party system as dominated by DUP and Sinn Féin
What electoral system is in Wales
- Since devolution was introduced to Wales
- Labour been always the main party
- labor sometimes securing majority, or working in coalition or minority party so a one dominant party
Factors that affect party success ?
Leadership/party leader, unity and media exposure
Why is party leader/leadership important when determining party success ?
- The party leader represents the party and many voters view the leader as the image of the party.
- Public opinion of the leader and their ability to offer an appealing brand to the electorate plays an important role in creating support for the party.
What is considered when looking at leadership or leader of party ?
- Media image
- experience
- distinctiveness
- honesty
Example of party leader personality, charisma and popularity among voters which is important for leadership
Nigel Farage was viewed as the image of UKIP and his charisma played a role in UKIP’s appeal to voters was constantly in media and news
Since Farage stepped down as the leader, UKIP has not achieved the same electoral success.
Examples of those who damaged prospect of their party and affected leadership ?
- Boris Johnson: party gate
- Nick Clegg : broken promises
