1. Political parties in the UK
DO NOW Complete the table, providing precise definitions for each of the key terms. Use the comparison below to guide your work.
Unacceptably vague
Reassuringly precise
First-past-the-post is an electoral system with some sort of geographical basis.
First-past-the-post is an electoral system in which candidates compete for a simple plurality of votes in single member constituencies.

2. Dave says: “We are on the road to stronger exam results.”
Put the following dates in your diary for extra lessons:
Friday, 13th February, am
Wednesday, 18th February, am

3. Homefun
Go to the iSideWith website and take the policy quiz to determine which political party you side with on most major issues.

4. Learning objectives
To define the characteristics and functions of political parties
To explain how the party system functions in the UK
To evaluate the similarities and differences between political parties and Pressure Groups

5. What are political parties?
A political party is … “… a group of like-minded individuals who seek to realise their shared goals by fielding candidates at elections and thereby securing election to public office”. P. Lynch and P. Fairclough (2010) “… a group of people that is organised for the purpose of winning Government power, by electoral or other means”. Andrew Heywood (2010) “… an organisation whose members share a common ideology and/ or policies, and come together to seek election to political office”. P. Fairclough (2008)

6. Represent voters’ views and interests
What do they do?
Parties in the electorate
Parties as organisations
Parties in government
Represent voters’ views and interests
Simplify choices for voters
Recruit political leadership based on suitability for office
Create workably majorities in the HOC
Educate citizens
Compete for governmental office
Create stability in government
Generate symbols of political identification/loyalty
Train political elites
Implement policy
Encourage/organise political participation
Aggregate and articulate political interests
Control the administration
Take responsibility for government actions
Organise opposition/ Hold government to account

7. Different party systems
There are different types of party system:
Single- Party System (e.g. North Korea, China and Eritrea)- One party has total control, there is no political opposition and no real means of protest. Elections may be held but the state controls the result.
Dominant- Party System (e.g. Japan, Brazil and Russia) – These are democratic countries but one party is dominant and has held the bulk of power, e.g. in Japan the Liberal Democratic Party has held power almost continuously for the past 55 years.
Multi-Party System (e.g. Italy, Germany and Australia) – There are numerous parties all competing for power. Larger parties are likely to form coalitions with smaller parties in making a Government.

8. Pluralism and democratic equilibrium
Pluralism as a political philosophy is the recognition and affirmation of diversity within a political body, which permits the peaceful coexistence of different interests, convictions and lifestyles. 
Pluralism in political science is the view that politics and decision making are located mostly in the framework of government, but that many non-governmental groups also exert influence. 
The idea of democratic equilibrium (Held, 1987) describes the state of open competition for electoral support among a significant part of the adult population. This competition ensures relative equality of group interests and relative freedom of choice for the individual.
On the other hand, since the participants in this process constitute only a tiny fraction of the populace, the public acts mainly as bystanders.

9. The party system in the UK
Bogdanor (2004) identifies four distinct phases of the evolution of the UK party system during the past ~100 years
two-’block’ system (led by Conservatives, Liberals)
three party system (Conservatives, Labour, Liberals)
two party competition (Conservatives, Labour)
1974-present

10. The decline of the two-party system

11. Left-right infographic
Study the infographic on the difference between left-wing and right-wing politics—this is based mainly on the state of politics in the United States
Using this as a model, design your own infographic for the state of politics in the United Kingdom. Try to include: core beliefs, social basis of support, key policies, etc.
The best examples will include relevant detail from UK current affairs, e.g. Devolution, Immigration, the NHS, the EU, the deficit, etc.

12. The political spectrum
People’s views on how the country should be run are often referred to as an Ideology. A person or party’s political ideology can be plotted on a ‘Political Spectrum’ running from Left to Right.
Left Wing
Right Wing
Liberalism
Socialism
Conservatism
Communism
Fascism

13. Typical ideological positions
Left-wing beliefs
Emphasis on people as social beings working together for common good.
The state is chosen by the people and should reflect their views. The state be proactive in providing the poorer in society with similar opportunities to the rich.
The state should provide welfare and opportunities for people to better themselves.
Right-wing beliefs
Emphasis on the individual and the need to preserve order in society.
People need strong government. This can only be achieved with strong leadership that cares for the very needy.
Believe in slow gradual change in society rather than radical reform.
Belief in a small state and minimal welfare provided by the state, with more emphasis on the private sector.

14. The political spectrum - expanded
The higher on the scale, the more powerful the state.
The lower on the scale, the smaller/less powerful the state.

15. 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:
Minimal welfare state (aimed at “the needy”)
Balance between public and private sector
Pragmatic policies (right place, right time)
Protection of Civil Liberties and Human Rights
Maintaining sovereignty of the state.

16. What is that like in practice?

17. Single-issue and ‘fringe’ parties
There are a whole world of fringe parties which actively play a role in Britain today.

18. Single-issue and ‘fringe’ parties
Single issue and fringe parties have been growing in support over the past decade. These groups tend to do better in Local Elections and slowly but surely they are gathering support.
Year
BNP
Green
SNP
UKIP
2002
31,000
59,000
160,100
100,000
2003
55,000
53,000
95,000
160,000
2004
79,000
63,000
109,000
260,000
2005
65,000
71,000
110,000
190,000
2006
70,000
126,000
2007
98,000
74,000
139,000
159,000
2008
118,000
80,000
151,000
146,000

19. Political parties vs pressure groups
Political Party
Broad policies for broad groups.
Open Membership and structure
Win seats to Win Power
Grassroots organisation
Internal Democracy
Donations from across society to party.
Pressure Group
Specific policy or issue.
Exclusive or selective membership
Win seat to raise public awareness
Grassroots based.
Run by small group of individuals
Usually donations from local community.

20. Two- or multi-party system?
The Question is often asked as to whether the UK is a multi-party or a two-party system. What do you think?

21. Student resources

22. Key term
Definition
First-past-the-post
Additional Member System
Proportional Representation
‘Wasted’ votes
Representative
Constituency
Hybrid electoral system
Secondary elections
Popular vote
Disproportionality

25. The Ayes Have It... The Ayes Have It
Twos Company
Realistically only Labour and the Conservatives have the size, structure and experience to run the country.
In 2010 Conservatives and Labour secured 65.1% of the vote and won 86.8% of the seats available.
Even the 3rd Party Liberal Democrats are a long way off forming a Government.
The current electoral structure doesn’t favour the growth of new parties.
Threes a Crowd
34.9% of voters didn’t vote for Labour and the Conservatives.
Whilst the Liberal Democrats are 3rd Nationally. In individually seats they are sometimes 2nd or 1st preference.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland contests are a lot closer and there is genuine choice in which party to vote for.
Some 34.9% of the Population don’t vote. If ANYONE could win them over they would win an election.