What divides the main political parties? DO NOW Mind map the issues raised by the current scandal involving former foreign secretaries Sir Malcolm Rifkind (Conservative) and Jack Straw (Labour). Why does it matter to the public—and to students of Government & Politics?

Dave says: “We are on the road to stronger exam results.” On Friday, March 6 th we will sit a full trial examination on Unit 1: People, Politics and Participation Key topics: Participation and voting behaviour Electoral Systems Political Parties

Homefun Go to the LSE Politics and Public Policy blogsite and make detailed notes on the following four posts: UKIP rise more among Church of England members Do party leader approval ratings predict election outcomes? Do party leader approval ratings predict election outcomes? Is Labour losing its capacity to take vote share from the Conservatives in London? Is Labour losing its capacity to take vote share from the Conservatives in London? Has the rise of middle class politicians led to the decline of class voting in Britain? Has the rise of middle class politicians led to the decline of class voting in Britain?

Learning objectives To explain how the major parties differ in key policy areas To explain the differences between them terms of party organisation and funding To evaluate the democratic credentials of the main parties

Key definitions Explain the difference between political ideology and public policy, being as precise as possible. Use examples from contemporary British politics to illustrate how they differ.

How do the parties differ? Using the extract from Lynch and Fairclough to complete the table below comparing the three main parties across a range of different policy areas, identifying the key points of agreement and disagreement between them at the last election (2010). Policy (2010)AgreementDisagreement Economy Home affairs Education Health Social policy Foreign affairs

How do the parties differ? Use you table to complete the final column in your essay planning grid, exploring the following exam question: What issues divide UK political parties from one another?

Race to the centre Since the collapse of Communism in the Eastern bloc, all the main political parties in the UK have begun to move towards the ideological ‘centre ground’. This area of ideology is commonly referred to as Liberalism and has some of the following features: 1.Minimal welfare state (aimed at “the needy”) 2.Balance between public and private sector 3.Pragmatic policies (right place, right time) 4.Protection of Civil Liberties and Human Rights 5.Maintaining sovereignty of the state.

The ‘end of ideology’? YES There are significant policy overlaps between the main parties All major UK political parties are essentially social democratic in character, i.e. committed to a liberal state with significant welfare provision The experience of coalition government (and its likely repeat in 2015) proves that parties can compromise and work together All major parties are essentially competing for the same demographic The more extreme wings of the major parties have been marginalised NO The major parties remain distinct in terms of their ideological traditions and socio-economic bases of support Some issues continue to divide UK political parties sharply, e.g. Europe The rise of single-issue parties and pressure groups suggests that ideology still matters to voters The global recession has re- ignited ideological dividing lines, e.g. over issues of inequality

How do the parties differ? Study pp in the textbook. Make a list of the main similarities and differences between the Conservative and Labour parties when it comes to party organisation. Which party seems the most democratic in its internal organisation? Explain your answer with reference to specific evidence.