political parties notes

what is a political party?

manifestos and mandates

• political party uses its manifesto to set out the policies it would seek to pass into law if elected into office
• the party that is returned to power at Westminster in the wake of general election is said to have earned an electoral mandate- right to implement stated policies
• popular support for the winning party at the ballot box is taken as support for the manifesto that the party presented to voters during the election campaign
• Salisbury Doctrine- House of Lords sould not oppose any bill that was included in the governing party's manifesto at the time of the general election

roles of political parties in the UK

representation

• traditionally parties represent the views of their members
• true in age of mass membership parties
• parties and voters were clearly divided along class lines
• partisan and class dealignment, rise of centrist catch all parties
• undermined the primary role

political engagement and participation

• make wider citizenry aware of the issues of the day
• perform an educative function that encourages political engagement
• promote political participation by encouraging citizens to engage with the democratic process
• give people the opportunity to exercise power within their chosen party
• quality of participation afforded to members shaped largely by the extent to which political parties are internally democratic

political recruitment

• asses the qualities of those seeking election to public office
• cast aside those who are considered unsuitable
• give those who will ultimately become the nation's leaders an opportunity to serve a form of political apprenticeship at a local level before graduating to high office

policy formulation

• discuss and develop policy proposals
• present them to voters in manifestos
• likely to result in a more considered, joined up style of government

stable government

• without parties the House of Commons would be a gathering of individuals driven by their personal goals and political ambitions
• present the voters with a clear choice
• provide order following the general
• allow a single party to form a government and secure the safe passage of its legislative proposals through the Commons

types of political party in the UK

mainstream parties

• conservative party, labour party and liberal democrats

minority or 'niche' parties

nationalist parties

• look to nurture the shared cultural identity and langauge of those indigenous to a given geographical area
• SNP, Mebyon Kernow, Plaid Cymru
• some campaign for full independce for their region or nation
• others have more modest goals
• BNP differes- campaigns in support of the way of life and values it claims are common to all indigenous UK peoples, 1 local councillor, 500 members

single issue parties

• some offer a wide ranging programme of poliices rooted in a particular ideological perspective e.g. Green party
• others campaign on particular issue- UKIP
• others a specific policy- ProLife Alliance
• Independent Kidderminster Hospital and Health Concern Party- won the Wyre Forest constituency in 2001 and 2005
• blur the boundary between political parties and pressure groups
• primary goal is to raise awareness of a particular issue

party ideology

• ideology- a coherent set…