What are the party structures and functions of the main political parties?

Question 1

What are the party structures and functions of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat party?

Answer 1

1. In the Conservative party, members have a limited choice of leadership candidates to choose from
   E.g. MPs vote on leadership candidates, but only the top two candidates are presented to the party members to decide from. Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt were the two candidates in 2019
   (members may not therefore be able to vote for their preferred candidate, limiting democracy within the Conservative party)
2. In the Liberal Democrat party, a candidate must be an MP with support from various levels within the party.
   E.g. at least 10% of Liberal Democrat MP’s, 20 local parties and 200 members must support a candidate to become leader. Ed Davey was elected with 63.5% of members’ votes in 2020.
   (enhancing the democracy of their party has a larger variety of people who can have their views represented rather than decisions being made at the highest level)
3. In the Labour party, trade unions have a large amount of influence
   E.g. candidates must then win support of 5% of trade union affiliate members. In 2010 Ed Miliband got elected with 50.7% of the vote in the second round, despite losing the first round with only 34.3% of the vote to David Miliband’s 37.8%. This was because the trade unions support Ed Miliband over David Miliband
   (candidates must therefore appeal to trade unions to challenge the leadership of a party which significantly increases their influence)

All party members have have equal voting power
E.g. a one member one, one vote system (OMOV) is used, so every vote is equal
(enhances the democracy within the party as those with more resources do not necessarily posses more influence in electing their preferred leader)

Question 2

Give three examples of the role of party manifestos in general elections?

Answer 2

1. It gives a broad overview of the party’s policies
   E.g. in 2019 the Conservative party promised to leave the EU with the negotiated deal
   (allowing voters to better understand key issues and gain a general understanding of the party’s views as a whole)
2. Unite the political party by representing different factions
   E.g. an old labour policy to renationalise the railways and new labour policy to give 16 year olds the vote in the 2019 manifesto
   (allowing a wide range of views to be represented, ensuring all factions within the party have their voices heard)
3. ??

Question 3

Give three features of party funding?

Answer 3

1. Some parties are funded mainly by individual donors and companies
   E.g. the conservative party receives roughly £2 million from individuals and £4 million from companies each years
   (thus allowing individuals to pledge additional support to parties which they strongly support)
2. Some parties are funded mainly by trade unions
   E.g. since 2010 the Labour party has received £43.7 million in donations from trade unions
   (providing trade unions with significant influence as their support is required to finance the party)
3. Membership fees are a way in which parties are funded
   E.g. the amount of money raised from membership fees has increased from £5 million in 2010 to £15 million in 2017
   (providing popular parties with more money to function and access voters through advertising)