Political Parties
Political party = a group of people
drawn together by a similar set of
beliefs - an ideology
Functions:
- Representation - represent the views
of the people and their beliefs -
right-wing = supporting the status quo
and left wing = desire for change and
reform
- Participation - People can participate in politics through voting or joining a party + could fund a party
to get their message across - members have the ability to shape party policy and all political parties have
procedures to involve members in elections
E.g: Labour party increased their membership allowing supporters to join for £3 (later £25) - a
development that was of huge importance in the election of Jermy Corbyn as leader in September 2015
- Formulating policy - Parties generate policies that embody the ideas they stand for, these policies are
laid out in a manifesto before the election, giving the people a sense of what they would expect if they
vote for that political party
E.g: 2015 general election - Conservatives promised to give people access to their GP 7 days whereas
Labour pledged for patients to be given an appointment within 48 hours
- Provide government - winning party with a majority would form government and would enact their
manifesto to turn into law. Failure to maintain a majority would lead to a vote of no confidence and
removal of the Prime Minister (leader of the party)
E.g: November 1990 - Margaret Thatcher lost the support of the conservative majority leading to harsh
scrutiny after failing to win a leadership contest outright - she resigned and was replaced by John Major
- Recruit Office Holders - people would learn political skills as campaigners and organisers thus
allowing political parties to use membership as a recruitment source. Parties can also reject or deselect
candidates who fail to live up to expectations
E.g: Before the 2015 election, Conservative activists - Thirsk and Malton did not allow the sitting MPs to
run for candidacy again
Funding of UK political parties:
Mps are paid from general taxation - basic annual salary = £
84,144 - April 2022 and are allowed to
claim expenses to cover the cost of running in office
Party funding can be gained from membership costs and fundraising campaigns however there
is controversy about corruption - the Lib Dems have accused the two main parties for being
bankrolled by the wealthy in exchange for something in return - e.g: trade unions funding Labour
and Labour creating business friendly policies when in power
Case Study - Tony Blair and Bernie Ecclestone
Political party = a group of people
drawn together by a similar set of
beliefs - an ideology
Functions:
- Representation - represent the views
of the people and their beliefs -
right-wing = supporting the status quo
and left wing = desire for change and
reform
- Participation - People can participate in politics through voting or joining a party + could fund a party
to get their message across - members have the ability to shape party policy and all political parties have
procedures to involve members in elections
E.g: Labour party increased their membership allowing supporters to join for £3 (later £25) - a
development that was of huge importance in the election of Jermy Corbyn as leader in September 2015
- Formulating policy - Parties generate policies that embody the ideas they stand for, these policies are
laid out in a manifesto before the election, giving the people a sense of what they would expect if they
vote for that political party
E.g: 2015 general election - Conservatives promised to give people access to their GP 7 days whereas
Labour pledged for patients to be given an appointment within 48 hours
- Provide government - winning party with a majority would form government and would enact their
manifesto to turn into law. Failure to maintain a majority would lead to a vote of no confidence and
removal of the Prime Minister (leader of the party)
E.g: November 1990 - Margaret Thatcher lost the support of the conservative majority leading to harsh
scrutiny after failing to win a leadership contest outright - she resigned and was replaced by John Major
- Recruit Office Holders - people would learn political skills as campaigners and organisers thus
allowing political parties to use membership as a recruitment source. Parties can also reject or deselect
candidates who fail to live up to expectations
E.g: Before the 2015 election, Conservative activists - Thirsk and Malton did not allow the sitting MPs to
run for candidacy again
Funding of UK political parties:
Mps are paid from general taxation - basic annual salary = £
84,144 - April 2022 and are allowed to
claim expenses to cover the cost of running in office
Party funding can be gained from membership costs and fundraising campaigns however there
is controversy about corruption - the Lib Dems have accused the two main parties for being
bankrolled by the wealthy in exchange for something in return - e.g: trade unions funding Labour
and Labour creating business friendly policies when in power
Case Study - Tony Blair and Bernie Ecclestone
