POLITICAL PARTIES Unit 1 Topic – Revision Overview.

POLITICAL PARTIES

Unit 1 Topic – Revision Overview

THE EXAM REQUIREMENTS

“a knowledge of the functions of political parties and an ability to discuss the relationship between political parties and democracy. A knowledge of the ideologies, theories and traditions of the major UK political parties.

The issue of the party system is covered in Unit 3.”

What is a party?

Parties are characterised by their involvement in a liberal democratic culture.

They are voluntary organisations whose members share broadly similar views, and whose purpose is to participate in government by securing the election of their candidates.

The Functions of Political Parties

Representation Stable Government Participation Recruitment Policy Formulation

Representation

In a liberal democratic system of free elections, parties need to compete for public support by seeking to represent the interests of as wide a portion of the population as possible.

Stable Government Parties exercise discipline over their

national and local representatives Party policies ensure clear

programmes of government, which are presented to the public via manifestoes

Opposition parties provide a stable mechanism for challenging government, and offering a potential alternative.

Participation Parties have local organisations

involving ordinary members This offers everyone a chance to be

involved in the political process Party members exercise an influence on

policy making Party members also canvass in

elections, seeking to encourage others to vote and participate in the electoral process.

Recruitment

Parties recruit their leaders and their elected politicians from within their own ranks. They also provide much of a politician’s education.

Policy Formulation Parties offer choices between

competing policy programmes Party members and leaders are all

involved in the formulation of policy As groups seeking electoral success,

such policy formulation also owes much to the parties’ understanding of popular concerns.

Do Parties Help or Hinder Democracy? If a parties are good for democracy,

there must be evidence that they encourage wide participation in politics and represent a wide range of people and interests;

If they are bad for democracy, the evidence should suggest that they inhibit popular participation and reserve power to a small group of leaders.

Elitist versus Pluralist Some people argue that the party system

conforms to an elitist model. The parties are essentially controlled by the leaders, with a parliamentary membership of narrow background.

The opposing, pluralist, argument suggests that parties provide opportunities for everyone to reach the top, and encourage strong grassroots participation and influence.

Elitist Characteristics Parliamentary candidates chosen by

leadership Parliamentary candidates have similar

backgrounds and characteristics Party leader chosen by small, select

group Party leader is powerful Party conference lacks influence Policy decided by leadership

Pluralist Characteristics Parliamentary candidates chosen by

whole constituency membership Parliamentary candidates represent

diverse range of backgrounds Party leader chosen by membership Party leader has limited powers Party conference is open forum for

debate and has influence Party membership helps decide policy

Elitist or Pluralist? The more pluralist the party, then

arguably the better it is for democracy Since the 1950s, the main parties have

been regarded as being similar in their structures and practices

It is important to consider the parties’ intentions, or theoretical operation, and the actual practice, which may differ.

Key points about party structures

It is important to note that, for the exam, students do not need a detailed knowledge of how the parties work.

We are looking at this now only in order to assess how healthy the parties are for democracy.

The Conservative Party Leader elected by whole membership

(Iain Duncan Smith)…. But note how Howard became leader (a

parliamentary coup over the grassroots). Parliamentary candidates selected by

constituency membership (e.g. Tatton persisted in selecting Neil Hamilton)

But central party organisation draws up list of approved candidates for constituencies.

The Conservative Party - 2 Candidates come from narrow range of

backgrounds and are not representative of society….

No ethnic MPs; Lack of women MPs (they fielded a total of

only 93 women candidates in the 2001 election; 8% of their MPs are female)

Party seeking to increase both female and ethnic representation, but local constituencies often refuse to select such candidates.

New leader’s attitude can be seen in the following story……

Daily Telegraph – Sat. 8 May 04 Labour worried as Tory women take front seat Labour is examining how to project its female MPs and

ministers more effectively amid concern that Michael Howard appears more "women friendly" than Tony Blair.

Backbench Labour MPs have complained that the Tories under Mr Howard are deploying their limited resources of women - just 15 MPs - to brilliant effect while Labour's 94 female MPs are a wasted resource.

Meg Munn, chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party's women's group, said: "Every time Michael Howard does anything he has one of his women MPs tagging along with him."

By contrast Labour events tend to be dominated by the same old male team of Mr Blair, Gordon Brown and John Prescott. "We need to make our male colleagues know that they should move over," she said.

Last week, a report by the Fawcett Society, which campaigns for sexual equality, said women were deserting Labour.

The Conservative Party - 3

Leaders traditionally considered all powerful;

But since 1975 three of their six leaders have been removed by their own MPs (Heath; Thatcher [when PM]; Duncan Smith), and a fourth, Major, was seriously weakened by parliamentary dissent over Europe.

The Conservative Party - 4

Conference lacks formal power and often regarded as a ‘rally’

Leadership responsible for policy…. Some mechanisms exist for members

to have their say (e.g. Policy Forums) but their influence is restricted and not binding on leadership.

The Labour Party Leaders are elected by an electoral

college made up of the three sections of the party (MP’s, Unions, Members);

Each section controls a third of the vote;

Unions operate on one man one vote in the leadership election;

Tony Blair elected by this method 1994.

The Labour Party - 2

Parliamentary candidates selected by constituencies, and do not have to be on central party approved list…

But central party has in past removed candidates it regards as unsuitable (e.g. Liz Davies in Leeds N.E. 1995) and imposed its own choices (e.g. Shaun Woodward 2001; all-women shortlists).

The Labour Party - 3

Increasing number of women MPs (although still only 23%) as a result of all-women shortlists

Small number of ethnic MPs A large number of MPs come from

professions and business

The Labour Party - 4 Labour leader’s power traditionally

seen as being limited (e.g. in Opposition their shadow cabinet is elected by MPs);

But Kinnock, Smith and Blair have all used their power to change the party’s structures,

And as PM, Blair can only be unseated by a two-thirds vote of the party conference.

The Labour Party - 5 Conference used to have formal powers

over policy making, but since Kinnock leaders have sought to reduce this, and from 1997 it has been little more than a rubber stamp

Party members can influence policy through informal policy forums, but in practice the manifesto is now drawn up by a team appointed by the leader (also note influence of unofficial advisers, e.g. Alan Milburn)

Liberal Democrats Leader elected by whole party

membership Conferences not easily controlled

by party leadership Leader has central role in policy

formulation, but is more reliant on support from party grassroots than in other two parties.

Parties – Good for Democracy? The parties have structures that seek to

give influence to ordinary members However, party members are not

representative of electorate, and leaders often need to act as moderating influence to ensure party’s electability

Media scrutiny encourages strong level of central control by leadership

Party leaders can come from humble backgrounds – Callaghan, Thatcher, Major, Howard

Conclusion

Parties are pluralist in structure, although often act in elitist ways. This, however, is driven by the demands of the society they serve and the needs of the democratic system, as much as by leaders’ personal wish for control. It is also clear that even powerful leaders must remain responsive to party and public opinion.

PARTY IDEOLOGIES The Conservatives have traditionally

been seen as the party of the upper classes;

Since Thatcher, the party has been indentified with free market economics, support for the individual, hostility towards public services and unions, low taxes and support for strong law and order policies.

PARTY IDEOLOGIES

The Labour Party has traditionally been the party of the working class and trade unions

Before Blair, it was identified with high taxes, support for state involvement in the economy and strong public services, suspicion of private enterprise and moderation in law and order policies.

PARTY IDEOLOGIES Today, despite rhetoric, underlying

policies of the two parties seen as being very close.

Parties agree on support for public services, controlling spending and tax, tough law and order policies, EU referendum, caution on euro, pro-US foreign policy

The difference is in the detail

Conservatives

Low taxation and cutting waste in public spending; More sceptical about Europe; Education vouchers and abolition of fees; More effective health and education reform,

enshrining more choice for consumer; Steve Norris has focused on crime in London mayoral

election; Opposed to constitutional reform in principle.

Labour

Commitment to better funding of public services; Will increase taxes if necessary; Favours constitutional reform of limited nature; Wider provision of education opportunities; I.D. Cards Blair identified with pro-European stance

Lib Dems

Regional Government; More constitutional reform

(including of voting system); Higher taxes if necessary to fund

education especially; Pro-Europe; Anti-war.

Researching the party positions

There is no substitute for checking the party websites – the front pages alone give a list of stories and policies that help to identify their current stance, and it is worth looking at these on the eve of the exam.

The Examiners’ Report ‘03a) Outline two features of a political party.At all levels, there was the belief that political parties

are formed to win general elections, with some candidates taking this further saying that parties provide candidates to stand in these elections. Better responses talked of organised groups with a shared ideology translating into policy programmes. The best responses characterised political parties in terms of the breadth of their policy interests as well as the scope of their organisation.

b) In what ways do political parties promote democracy?

Most responses did attempt to answer the question in a relevant manner, by stressing that political parties were crucial in providing choice for the electorate. Better responses indicated the impact that political parties had on political participation and providing candidates for elections. Examples such as leafleting and canvassing were often given to illustrate these points. The best responses added factors such as the education and informing role that political parties fulfil. As mentioned above a number of responses did focus on government policy (so there was reference to electoral reform, the Human Rights Act and the like, which clearly not the characteristic of political parties per se).

c) How effective are political parties in promoting democracy in the UK?

This part of the question gave candidates the opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of political parties. Some candidates instead chose to analyse the impact of particular policies (see above). Most candidates were able to emphasise the positive aspects of political parties, echoing the points that were made in part b of the question. Conversely there was also widespread mention of the growing indifference to politics and voting. Better responses did emphasise the traditional Labour and Conservative party dominance of the political system, the limits to voter choice especially given the perceived closeness of the two parties. The best responses also highlighted the power of the party whips, examined the elective dictatorship thesis (and the power of party leaders) and the social make-up of those who are active in party politics at different levels. Such responses were also able to explain that low voter turnout does impact on the mandate theory. Some candidates also examined the manner in which frustration with political parties is leading to a decline in party membership at the expense of single-issue pressure groups.

Alternative specimen questions on parties

(a) Outline two functions of political parties? (5)

(b) Describe three issues over which Labour and Conservative parties disagree? (15)

(c) How different is ‘new’ Labour from ‘old’ Labour? (30)

The Political Parties

Finis!