Party structures

• The Conservative Party

  • Each member belongs to a constituency association.
  • Constituency Associations select candidates for local elections.
  • Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) is the party HQ. It organises campaigns, and ultimately selects parliamentary candidates.
  • National Conservative Convention makes decisions for the party’s members.
  • The 1922 Committee is responsible for the wellbeing of backbench MPs.
• The Labour Party

  • Members are assigned to a constituency branch.
  • These branches select candidates for elections and send candidates to the General Committee of the Constituency Labour Party (CLP)
  • The National Executive Committee (NEC) is the core of the party.
  • Approves candidates for parliament
  • Approves policy proposals
  • Administration of the party
• The Liberal Democrats

  • Utilise a federal structure, with English, Welsh and Scottish parties almost acting independent of each other.
  • They are governed by the Federal Board, who make decisions on the basis of members’ approval.
• Internal party democracy