2.3 Emerging & Minor UK Political Parties
2.3 Emerging and minor UK political parties.
• The importance of other parties in the UK.
• The ideas and policies of two other minor parties.
The Importance of other Parties in the UK
Although the UK is often described as a two-party system, other parties still play an
important role.
Þ They influence national debate, shape the policies of larger parties, and achieve
significant representation in devolved governments and sometimes at
Westminster
Below are key examples of minor parties, their principles, policies and electoral
performance, followed by their wider impact on UK politics
Reform UK
Political Principles
• National sovereignty
Þ A state’s independent authority to make its own laws, control its borders, and
govern without interference from external powers
• Individual freedoms
Þ Rights that allow people to act, speak and live without undue restriction from the
state, as long as they do not harm others
• Smaller government
Þ Political belief favouring reduced state intervention, lower taxes, fewer
regulations and a more limited role for government in people’s lives and the
economy
, 2024 Manifesto
• Freeze on non-essential immigration
• Tax cuts for businesses (first £100k tax-free) and raising the VAT threshold
• Scrap Net Zero targets
• Tax relief on independent school fees
• £17 billion for the NHS to eradicate waiting lists
• Scrap HS2
• Leave the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)
2024 election result
4.1m votes (14.3%), 5 MPs
Green Party
Political Principles
• Social justice
Þ Fair distribution of wealth, opportunities and power in society, ensuring everyone
has equal rights and can meet their basic rights
• Environmental justice
Þ Protecting the planet while ensuring that environmental benefits and burdens
are shared fairly, so no group su_ers disproportionately from pollution or climate
impacts
• Grassroots democracy
Þ Decision-making led from the bottom up, giving local members and
communities real influence rather than concentrating power in party leaders or
central institutions
2024 Manifesto
• £8 billion investment in the NHS; £28 billion by 2030
• 1% tax on assets over £10 million
• Higher taxes for higher-rate earners
• Scrap university tuition fees
2.3 Emerging and minor UK political parties.
• The importance of other parties in the UK.
• The ideas and policies of two other minor parties.
The Importance of other Parties in the UK
Although the UK is often described as a two-party system, other parties still play an
important role.
Þ They influence national debate, shape the policies of larger parties, and achieve
significant representation in devolved governments and sometimes at
Westminster
Below are key examples of minor parties, their principles, policies and electoral
performance, followed by their wider impact on UK politics
Reform UK
Political Principles
• National sovereignty
Þ A state’s independent authority to make its own laws, control its borders, and
govern without interference from external powers
• Individual freedoms
Þ Rights that allow people to act, speak and live without undue restriction from the
state, as long as they do not harm others
• Smaller government
Þ Political belief favouring reduced state intervention, lower taxes, fewer
regulations and a more limited role for government in people’s lives and the
economy
, 2024 Manifesto
• Freeze on non-essential immigration
• Tax cuts for businesses (first £100k tax-free) and raising the VAT threshold
• Scrap Net Zero targets
• Tax relief on independent school fees
• £17 billion for the NHS to eradicate waiting lists
• Scrap HS2
• Leave the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)
2024 election result
4.1m votes (14.3%), 5 MPs
Green Party
Political Principles
• Social justice
Þ Fair distribution of wealth, opportunities and power in society, ensuring everyone
has equal rights and can meet their basic rights
• Environmental justice
Þ Protecting the planet while ensuring that environmental benefits and burdens
are shared fairly, so no group su_ers disproportionately from pollution or climate
impacts
• Grassroots democracy
Þ Decision-making led from the bottom up, giving local members and
communities real influence rather than concentrating power in party leaders or
central institutions
2024 Manifesto
• £8 billion investment in the NHS; £28 billion by 2030
• 1% tax on assets over £10 million
• Higher taxes for higher-rate earners
• Scrap university tuition fees
