Political Parties

• Who is the leader of the Conservatives
• How many seats does the Labour Party hold?

  197
• What is the political position of the Scottish National Party?

  Centre-left
• Who leads the Liberal Democrats?

  Ed Davey
• How many seats does the Democratic Unionist Party have?

  8
• What is the political position of Sinn Fein?

  Left wing
• Who is the leader of Plaid Cymru Party of Wales?

  Adam Price
• How many seats does the Green Party hold?

  1
• What is the political position of the SDLP?

  Moderate nationalist
• Who leads the Alliance party?

  Naomi Young
• What does left wing politics emphasize?

  Creating a fair and equal society through positive state intervention
• What are key ideas of right wing politics?

  Limiting excessive government, keeping taxes low, and protecting liberty
• What is consensus politics?

  When there are many philosophical and policy similarities between main political parties
• What is adversary politics?

  When main parties are divided by fundamental philosophical and policy differences
• What are the primary functions of political parties?

  • Representation
  • Policy Formation
  • Recruitment of leaders
  • Organisation of government
  • Participation and mobilisation
  • Selecting candidates
  • Reinforcing consent
• What is the primary function of representation in political parties?

  To seek a popular mandate from the electorate
• What is a mandate in the context of political parties?

  The legitimate right to implement manifesto promises after winning a general election
• How do parties contribute to policy formation?

  By initiating and formulating public policy through forums, conferences, and manifestos
• What is the criticism regarding the recruitment of leaders in political parties?

  Only a small proportion from a majority party are selected for office
• What role do parties play in the organisation of government?

  They help form governments and facilitate cooperation between Parliament and the executive
• What is partisan dealignment?

  The abandonment of traditional party loyalties in favor of various factors influencing voting choices
• What is the significance of selecting candidates in political parties?

  Parties select candidates at all levels from parish to general elections
• How do parties reinforce consent in the political system?

  By supporting the UK political system and underlining consent to be governed
• What is the historical origin of the Conservative Party?

  Originally from aristocrats that supported the monarch
• What distinguishes 'Old' Labour from 'New' Labour?

  'Old' Labour emphasizes social equality and collectivism, while 'New' Labour accepts capitalism and individualism
• How do political parties in the UK receive funding?

  Through private funding and limited government funding
• What is the purpose of policy development grants?

  To allocate £2 million to main parties for employing political advisors
• What is 'Short money' in the context of UK political funding?

  Allocated to opposition parties based on the number of seats for their work in the House of Commons
• What does the Trade Union Act 2016 require from members?

  Members must 'opt in' if they want their membership fee to go to Labour
• What does the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 provide?

  Greater transparency and fairness in the funding of political parties
• What is the limit on campaign spending in a constituency during an election?

  £30,000
• What was the Cash for Honours scandal about?

  Wealthy businessmen lent money to Labour and were nominated for peerages, which were later blocked
• What allegations were made regarding Russian influence on the Tory party?

  Almost £2 million of donations linked to Russia since Boris Johnson came to power
• What are the core values of the Liberal Democrats?

  Liberty, social justice, welfare, constitutionalism, social reform, and human democracy
• What is the 'two party system' in the UK political context?

  A system dominated by two main political parties
• What is the significance of the Scottish National Party's performance in elections?

  It won 56 of the 59 Westminster seats in Scotland in 2015, showing strong support
• What is the main focus of the Green Party?


  Environmental politics
• What challenges does the Green Party face in elections?

  The First Past The Post system has prevented them from winning more than one seat
• What is the relationship between the DUP and the Conservative government?

  The DUP supports the Conservative government and shares similar views on key issues
• What is the significance of Sinn Fein's seats in Westminster?

  Sinn Fein has seven seats but will not take them in Westminster