Chapter 14 Political
Parties and Groups
Xiao Huiyun December,2005
Main Parties
the Conservative Party
the Labour Party
the Liberal Demacrats
2010-5-16
Other Parties
the Conservative
Party
– Scottish
Conservatives
– Welsh Conservatives
– Conservatives in
Northern Ireland
2010-5-16
Other smaller national parties
– Green Party
? life on Earth is under immense
pressure,the environment around us
is threatened with massive
destruction
? take responsibility to lead a healthy
lifestyle for human being
–Sinn Féin
?seeks the establishment of a new Ireland
?merge Northern Ireland with the
Republic of Ireland
–Ulster Unionist Party
?nationalism remains a threat to the
peaceful co-existence of the people of NI
?remain Northern Republic of Ireland as
part of the UK
2010-5-16
Other smaller national parties
– Alliance Party
– Cooperative party
– Democratic Unionist Party
– Liberal Party
– Plaid Cymru
– Scottish National Party
– United Kingdom Unionist Party
– Social Democratic and Labour Party
– Uk Independence Party…
Party in power
the Labour Party—in power
– The 1997 election campaign saw the Tories in
decline,the new Labour won
– On 7 June 2001 Tony Blair led Labour to a
second successive victory in a General Election,
winning by another landslide
the Conservative Party—in opposition
The multi-party system
The multi-party system, as the title suggests,this is a
system where more than two parties have some impact
in a state’s political life
Within Westminster,the Tories and the Liberal
Democrats provide a healthy political rivalry,Sartori
defines a multi-party system as one where no party can
guarantee an absolute majority
In theory,the Labour Party,regardless of its current
parliamentary majority,could lose the next general
election in Britain in 2006.,
The Conservative Party
Emerged in 1830s from the ‘Tory’ grouping in Parliament
Later 19th C,concerned with defending traditional institutions such as
the monarchy,the aristocracy and the Empire
After 1918 constantly adapted its policies to suit prevailing trends in
British society
In 1930s started to shed its aristocratic image and was led by
businessmen
In 1950’s accepted Labour policies such as nationalisation and the
welfare state (consensus politics from 1951 to 1979)
Under Thatcher moved towards a set of policies aimed at business,the
consumer,and the upwardly mobile,becoming associated with the
business and commercial sections of society – the ‘New Right’
conservatives
The New Rights upheld family values but had a free market approach to
the economy
John Major stressed welfare provision as necessary in the process of
privatisation
The Labour Party
Formed in 1906 from Labour Representation Committee with financial
backing of trade unions to represent interests of working class
1n 1918 made firm commitment to ‘common ownership of the means of
production’
1924 first Labour government came to power
By 1929 had replaced Liberals as one of twe major parties
In 1945 General Election gained spectacular victory,and its government
introduced several important social reforms,NHS,social security
system,mass education,nationalisation of several leading industries
Won power under Wilson 1964-1970 and in office again 1974-1979,spent
majority of time in opposition until 1997
In 1995,abandoned Clause Four of its constitution and ended the
commitment to state ownership – the era of New Labour
More women and minorities in government
Downplayed dominance of trade unions over the party
The Liberal Democrats
An amalgamation of the old Liberal Party and the Social
Democratic Party,the latter being a break away group from
Labour Party,formed in 1981
Advocates policies based on freedom of the individual and
support for the adoption of Propositional Representation at
elections
Remains a minority party which draws support from voters
dissatisfied with Tory or Labour
A party of protest rather than a real alternative for
government
Image of party moderate and appeals predominantly to
middle-class people,often in rural areas
The Other Parties
Those with representation in parliament:
Ulster Unionists – largely campaign on the question of N,
Ireland remaining part of UK
Scottish Nationalist Party –demands independence for
Scotland
Plaid Cymru – demands independence for Wales
Those without representation in Parliament
Socialist Workers Party – society based on principles of
Marx & Trotsky
Green Party – Champions enviorenmental policies
National Front –
Britain for the British
Public Opinion & Voting Behaviour
The most important part of political activity for the
average person is voting at elections, 90% of voters
identified with and voted for one of the two major parties.
It has been claimed in Britain class is closely related to
voting choice at elections.
However class voting is in decline because of growing
apathy with both major parties
Apathy linked to the low public standing of politicians
-- leading politicians portrayed in negative and often
ludicrous terms
-- reporting of their sexual activities in tabloid press
Public Opinion & Voting Behaviour
Why did Labour lose 1992 elections?
During election campaign voters put Labour well ahead on
all ‘caring’ issues such as social welfare,NHS,education
and unemployment.
Yet majority did not trust Labour on taxation and keeping
inflation down and voted for Tory again
This suggests that Key Issue at the election was the ‘pound
in your pocket’,indicating that the likely victor of future
elections will be party which allows consumer greater
economic stability and more opportunity to consume
In practice this is likely to mean the party which keeps tax
down and inflation low would win election
Why did Labour win 1997 Election?
Internal reforms,for example,some reduction in trade union
power,
John Smith’s death in 1994 allowed creation of New Labour
by the more modernising Blair - notably,abandonment of
Clause IV of its constitution in 1995,
Abandonment of traditional socialist - or even social
democratic - principles and acceptance of market
economics,low inflation and interest rates,cuts in taxation,
spending and welfare,Pre-election commitment to maintain
existing tax levels for a five-year term and present spending
levels for two years,‘welfare to work’,tough law and order
especially for juvenile offenders,Difficult for the
Conservatives to criticise what were,largely,their own
policies
New,radical proposals for constitutional reform
Comparison of Manifestos
1997
Conservative
Health – will not
discourage use of
private facilities
Education – less
government control on
education
Law & Order – will
increase number of
police
Labour
Health – will provide more
nurses & doctors
Education – 50% of young
people attending university
in 10 years,Will ensure
every middle schools
develops distinctive
mission
Law & Order – tougher on
crime,tougher on the
causes of crime
PARTY %OF VOTES CAST MEMBER ELECTED
Labour 43.2 418
Conservative 30.7 165
Liberal Dem 16.8 46
Others 9.3 30
Total 100.0 659
General Election Result,1997
Labour General Election Manifesto
2001
long-term economic stability
rising living standards for all
expanded higher education as we raise standards in
secondary schools
a healthier nation with fast treatment,free at the point of use
full employment in every region
opportunity for all children,security for all pensioners
a modern criminal justice system
strong and accountable local government
British ideas leading a reformed and enlarged Europe
global poverty and climate change tackled
PARTY %OF VOTES CAST MEMBER ELECTED
Labour 40.7 413
Conservative 31.7 166
Liberal Dem 18.3 52
Others 10.3 28
Total 100.0 659
General Election Result,2001
Pressure Groups
A pressure group can be described as an organised
group that does not put up candidates for election,
but seeks to influence government policy or
legislation
They can also be described as ‘interest groups’,
‘lobby groups’ or ‘protest groups’,
In Britain,the number of political parties is very
small,whereas the number of pressure groups runs
into thousands; as the membership of political
parties has fallen,that of pressure groups has
increased
Pressure Groups
The aim of all pressure groups is to influence the people
who actually have the power to make decisions.
A pressure groups can use a variety of different methods to
influence law
Firstly,it can merely inform legislators of its member’s
preferences.
with an election campaign,
Third,its members may threaten,as a group,to vote as a
bloc
Fourth,a pressure group may speed up legislation by
writing bills and helping legislators make progressive
agreements
Finally,a pressure group my attempt to influence members
of the executive,who have some law making input and who
can partly decide the strength and effectiveness of law
enforcement
Pressure Groups
Pressure groups increase participation and access to the
political system,thereby enhancing the quality of
democracy
Pressure groups improve the quality of government,
Consultation with affected groups is the rational way to
make decisions in a free society,
Pressure groups are a product of freedom of association,
which is a fundamental principle of liberal democracy
Pressure groups improve participation,but in an unequal
way,benefiting the well organised but disadvantaging the
weakly organised In this sense,they work against - not in
favour of - the public interest,
Parties and Groups
Xiao Huiyun December,2005
Main Parties
the Conservative Party
the Labour Party
the Liberal Demacrats
2010-5-16
Other Parties
the Conservative
Party
– Scottish
Conservatives
– Welsh Conservatives
– Conservatives in
Northern Ireland
2010-5-16
Other smaller national parties
– Green Party
? life on Earth is under immense
pressure,the environment around us
is threatened with massive
destruction
? take responsibility to lead a healthy
lifestyle for human being
–Sinn Féin
?seeks the establishment of a new Ireland
?merge Northern Ireland with the
Republic of Ireland
–Ulster Unionist Party
?nationalism remains a threat to the
peaceful co-existence of the people of NI
?remain Northern Republic of Ireland as
part of the UK
2010-5-16
Other smaller national parties
– Alliance Party
– Cooperative party
– Democratic Unionist Party
– Liberal Party
– Plaid Cymru
– Scottish National Party
– United Kingdom Unionist Party
– Social Democratic and Labour Party
– Uk Independence Party…
Party in power
the Labour Party—in power
– The 1997 election campaign saw the Tories in
decline,the new Labour won
– On 7 June 2001 Tony Blair led Labour to a
second successive victory in a General Election,
winning by another landslide
the Conservative Party—in opposition
The multi-party system
The multi-party system, as the title suggests,this is a
system where more than two parties have some impact
in a state’s political life
Within Westminster,the Tories and the Liberal
Democrats provide a healthy political rivalry,Sartori
defines a multi-party system as one where no party can
guarantee an absolute majority
In theory,the Labour Party,regardless of its current
parliamentary majority,could lose the next general
election in Britain in 2006.,
The Conservative Party
Emerged in 1830s from the ‘Tory’ grouping in Parliament
Later 19th C,concerned with defending traditional institutions such as
the monarchy,the aristocracy and the Empire
After 1918 constantly adapted its policies to suit prevailing trends in
British society
In 1930s started to shed its aristocratic image and was led by
businessmen
In 1950’s accepted Labour policies such as nationalisation and the
welfare state (consensus politics from 1951 to 1979)
Under Thatcher moved towards a set of policies aimed at business,the
consumer,and the upwardly mobile,becoming associated with the
business and commercial sections of society – the ‘New Right’
conservatives
The New Rights upheld family values but had a free market approach to
the economy
John Major stressed welfare provision as necessary in the process of
privatisation
The Labour Party
Formed in 1906 from Labour Representation Committee with financial
backing of trade unions to represent interests of working class
1n 1918 made firm commitment to ‘common ownership of the means of
production’
1924 first Labour government came to power
By 1929 had replaced Liberals as one of twe major parties
In 1945 General Election gained spectacular victory,and its government
introduced several important social reforms,NHS,social security
system,mass education,nationalisation of several leading industries
Won power under Wilson 1964-1970 and in office again 1974-1979,spent
majority of time in opposition until 1997
In 1995,abandoned Clause Four of its constitution and ended the
commitment to state ownership – the era of New Labour
More women and minorities in government
Downplayed dominance of trade unions over the party
The Liberal Democrats
An amalgamation of the old Liberal Party and the Social
Democratic Party,the latter being a break away group from
Labour Party,formed in 1981
Advocates policies based on freedom of the individual and
support for the adoption of Propositional Representation at
elections
Remains a minority party which draws support from voters
dissatisfied with Tory or Labour
A party of protest rather than a real alternative for
government
Image of party moderate and appeals predominantly to
middle-class people,often in rural areas
The Other Parties
Those with representation in parliament:
Ulster Unionists – largely campaign on the question of N,
Ireland remaining part of UK
Scottish Nationalist Party –demands independence for
Scotland
Plaid Cymru – demands independence for Wales
Those without representation in Parliament
Socialist Workers Party – society based on principles of
Marx & Trotsky
Green Party – Champions enviorenmental policies
National Front –
Britain for the British
Public Opinion & Voting Behaviour
The most important part of political activity for the
average person is voting at elections, 90% of voters
identified with and voted for one of the two major parties.
It has been claimed in Britain class is closely related to
voting choice at elections.
However class voting is in decline because of growing
apathy with both major parties
Apathy linked to the low public standing of politicians
-- leading politicians portrayed in negative and often
ludicrous terms
-- reporting of their sexual activities in tabloid press
Public Opinion & Voting Behaviour
Why did Labour lose 1992 elections?
During election campaign voters put Labour well ahead on
all ‘caring’ issues such as social welfare,NHS,education
and unemployment.
Yet majority did not trust Labour on taxation and keeping
inflation down and voted for Tory again
This suggests that Key Issue at the election was the ‘pound
in your pocket’,indicating that the likely victor of future
elections will be party which allows consumer greater
economic stability and more opportunity to consume
In practice this is likely to mean the party which keeps tax
down and inflation low would win election
Why did Labour win 1997 Election?
Internal reforms,for example,some reduction in trade union
power,
John Smith’s death in 1994 allowed creation of New Labour
by the more modernising Blair - notably,abandonment of
Clause IV of its constitution in 1995,
Abandonment of traditional socialist - or even social
democratic - principles and acceptance of market
economics,low inflation and interest rates,cuts in taxation,
spending and welfare,Pre-election commitment to maintain
existing tax levels for a five-year term and present spending
levels for two years,‘welfare to work’,tough law and order
especially for juvenile offenders,Difficult for the
Conservatives to criticise what were,largely,their own
policies
New,radical proposals for constitutional reform
Comparison of Manifestos
1997
Conservative
Health – will not
discourage use of
private facilities
Education – less
government control on
education
Law & Order – will
increase number of
police
Labour
Health – will provide more
nurses & doctors
Education – 50% of young
people attending university
in 10 years,Will ensure
every middle schools
develops distinctive
mission
Law & Order – tougher on
crime,tougher on the
causes of crime
PARTY %OF VOTES CAST MEMBER ELECTED
Labour 43.2 418
Conservative 30.7 165
Liberal Dem 16.8 46
Others 9.3 30
Total 100.0 659
General Election Result,1997
Labour General Election Manifesto
2001
long-term economic stability
rising living standards for all
expanded higher education as we raise standards in
secondary schools
a healthier nation with fast treatment,free at the point of use
full employment in every region
opportunity for all children,security for all pensioners
a modern criminal justice system
strong and accountable local government
British ideas leading a reformed and enlarged Europe
global poverty and climate change tackled
PARTY %OF VOTES CAST MEMBER ELECTED
Labour 40.7 413
Conservative 31.7 166
Liberal Dem 18.3 52
Others 10.3 28
Total 100.0 659
General Election Result,2001
Pressure Groups
A pressure group can be described as an organised
group that does not put up candidates for election,
but seeks to influence government policy or
legislation
They can also be described as ‘interest groups’,
‘lobby groups’ or ‘protest groups’,
In Britain,the number of political parties is very
small,whereas the number of pressure groups runs
into thousands; as the membership of political
parties has fallen,that of pressure groups has
increased
Pressure Groups
The aim of all pressure groups is to influence the people
who actually have the power to make decisions.
A pressure groups can use a variety of different methods to
influence law
Firstly,it can merely inform legislators of its member’s
preferences.
with an election campaign,
Third,its members may threaten,as a group,to vote as a
bloc
Fourth,a pressure group may speed up legislation by
writing bills and helping legislators make progressive
agreements
Finally,a pressure group my attempt to influence members
of the executive,who have some law making input and who
can partly decide the strength and effectiveness of law
enforcement
Pressure Groups
Pressure groups increase participation and access to the
political system,thereby enhancing the quality of
democracy
Pressure groups improve the quality of government,
Consultation with affected groups is the rational way to
make decisions in a free society,
Pressure groups are a product of freedom of association,
which is a fundamental principle of liberal democracy
Pressure groups improve participation,but in an unequal
way,benefiting the well organised but disadvantaging the
weakly organised In this sense,they work against - not in
favour of - the public interest,
