Parties
How democratic are the UK’s political parties and party system?
Thesis – UK pol parties and system are deeply undemocratic
P1- REPRESENTATION
Evi - Democratically effective as the current parliament is the most descriptively representative it has
ever been.
Evi – Parties must represent people’s interests to win votes, so the system must be democratic, as
parties must formulate policy people want. All parties manifesto’s include valency issues.
Pivot – However, not democratic as parties often U turn or abandon parts of their manifesto
Evi – Labour abandoning clause 4 of their manifesto under Blair
Evi – Sunak rolled back his climate pledge as did Starmer
P2 – STRUCTURING COMPETITION AND ENGAGEMENT, parties are skilled at recruiting and promoting
people into office
Evi – LibDems party has also been successful in promoting younger politicians into leadership roles, with
figures like former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and former party leader Jo Swinson rising to
prominence at relatively young ages.
Evi – SNP has been highly effective in recruiting and promoting individuals who are passionate about
Scottish independence and advancing the party's agenda. Mhairi Black became the youngest Member of
Parliament in the UK when elected in 2015, showcasing the SNP's ability to recruit and promote younger
talent.
Pivot – however, shifting party stances mean people are unclear on who to vote for
Evi – Con and Lab move more centrist due to class dealignment. Cameron adopted more liberal
positions on social issues, such as supporting marriage equality and advocating for environmental
policies like the Green Deal.
Evi – Two fifths of those backing a major party said they didn’t know what they stood for
P3 – INTERNAL DEMOCRACY
Evi – One member one vote system introduced under Corbyn. Also the party holds annual conferences
where members debate and vote on policy motions and elect members to key positions, including the
leader.
, Evi - Green Party places a strong emphasis on grassroots democracy and participatory decision-making.
The party operates on a consensus-based model, where decisions are made collaboratively through
discussion and consensus-building among members.
Pivot – not relevant to democracy really
Evi – Green party influence on policy limited in practice due to two party system
Evi – members of parties often vote in ways that don’t reflect the policies of parties
EVTV that parties should be state funded / the funding system is in need of reform
Thesis - Parties should not be state funded.
P1- Participation in democracy in the UK has declined over the years, the era of mass membership is
over. Therefore, state funding is needed for parties to continue their important role.
Evidence - Between 2002 and 2013, Conservative Party membership, already depleted from its halcyon
days of nearly 3 million members, fell by more than half from 273,000 to 134,000.
In 2015, only 1.0% of the electorate was a member of the Labour, Conservative or Liberal Democrat
parties (compared with 3.8% in 1983)
Pivot – If there is secure public funding parties may feel less like they need to reach out to gain
membership. They don’t have to change policy to appeal to the people. Disconnect parties.
Furthermore, many tax payers would not want their money going to a party they do not support.
Evidence - Lab dependence on Trade unions is a good thing. They must stay true to Labour meant to be
“party of the workers”
Audit of Political Engagement found that only 30% of the public claimed to be a ‘strong supporter’ of a
political party. Why should people be forced to pay money in order for the state to fund parties they
may disagree with.
P2- Point – Less dependence on wealthy donors and so a fairer playing field.
Evi - Con party have raised £12.2m in donations vs £4.19m Lab why should some have more money to
spend than others.
Limits power of smaller parties as when the Liberal Democrats went into coalition with the Conservative
Party in 2010, they no longer qualified for Short Money and were forced to reduce their central office
research staff.
Pivot - Donations express political will and it doesn’t help 3rd parties.
Evi – Takes away impact of giving up time and money to support a party.
Due to FPTP If state funding was based on existing share of the vote only strengthens two party system
so larger parties benefit and smaller ones find it harder to break through.
How democratic are the UK’s political parties and party system?
Thesis – UK pol parties and system are deeply undemocratic
P1- REPRESENTATION
Evi - Democratically effective as the current parliament is the most descriptively representative it has
ever been.
Evi – Parties must represent people’s interests to win votes, so the system must be democratic, as
parties must formulate policy people want. All parties manifesto’s include valency issues.
Pivot – However, not democratic as parties often U turn or abandon parts of their manifesto
Evi – Labour abandoning clause 4 of their manifesto under Blair
Evi – Sunak rolled back his climate pledge as did Starmer
P2 – STRUCTURING COMPETITION AND ENGAGEMENT, parties are skilled at recruiting and promoting
people into office
Evi – LibDems party has also been successful in promoting younger politicians into leadership roles, with
figures like former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and former party leader Jo Swinson rising to
prominence at relatively young ages.
Evi – SNP has been highly effective in recruiting and promoting individuals who are passionate about
Scottish independence and advancing the party's agenda. Mhairi Black became the youngest Member of
Parliament in the UK when elected in 2015, showcasing the SNP's ability to recruit and promote younger
talent.
Pivot – however, shifting party stances mean people are unclear on who to vote for
Evi – Con and Lab move more centrist due to class dealignment. Cameron adopted more liberal
positions on social issues, such as supporting marriage equality and advocating for environmental
policies like the Green Deal.
Evi – Two fifths of those backing a major party said they didn’t know what they stood for
P3 – INTERNAL DEMOCRACY
Evi – One member one vote system introduced under Corbyn. Also the party holds annual conferences
where members debate and vote on policy motions and elect members to key positions, including the
leader.
, Evi - Green Party places a strong emphasis on grassroots democracy and participatory decision-making.
The party operates on a consensus-based model, where decisions are made collaboratively through
discussion and consensus-building among members.
Pivot – not relevant to democracy really
Evi – Green party influence on policy limited in practice due to two party system
Evi – members of parties often vote in ways that don’t reflect the policies of parties
EVTV that parties should be state funded / the funding system is in need of reform
Thesis - Parties should not be state funded.
P1- Participation in democracy in the UK has declined over the years, the era of mass membership is
over. Therefore, state funding is needed for parties to continue their important role.
Evidence - Between 2002 and 2013, Conservative Party membership, already depleted from its halcyon
days of nearly 3 million members, fell by more than half from 273,000 to 134,000.
In 2015, only 1.0% of the electorate was a member of the Labour, Conservative or Liberal Democrat
parties (compared with 3.8% in 1983)
Pivot – If there is secure public funding parties may feel less like they need to reach out to gain
membership. They don’t have to change policy to appeal to the people. Disconnect parties.
Furthermore, many tax payers would not want their money going to a party they do not support.
Evidence - Lab dependence on Trade unions is a good thing. They must stay true to Labour meant to be
“party of the workers”
Audit of Political Engagement found that only 30% of the public claimed to be a ‘strong supporter’ of a
political party. Why should people be forced to pay money in order for the state to fund parties they
may disagree with.
P2- Point – Less dependence on wealthy donors and so a fairer playing field.
Evi - Con party have raised £12.2m in donations vs £4.19m Lab why should some have more money to
spend than others.
Limits power of smaller parties as when the Liberal Democrats went into coalition with the Conservative
Party in 2010, they no longer qualified for Short Money and were forced to reduce their central office
research staff.
Pivot - Donations express political will and it doesn’t help 3rd parties.
Evi – Takes away impact of giving up time and money to support a party.
Due to FPTP If state funding was based on existing share of the vote only strengthens two party system
so larger parties benefit and smaller ones find it harder to break through.
