Political parties

• What are the functions of political parties?

  representation, participation, elections, government, organisation, education
• What are the 4 key features of political parties?

  they aim to become a government, they are organised bodies with formal membership, they typically adopt a broad issue focus, they are united by political preferences and ideological identity
• define left-wing

  left-wing political ideas are associated with a desire to introduce change into the political system - more liberal
• define right-wing

  right-wing political ideas emphasise a widespread acceptance of the status quo and need for stability in society
• what are the arguments for political parties enhancing democracy?

  • encourages people to participate
  • provides voters with clear choice
  • they educate and inform the electorate
  • they uphold the authority of parliament
  • they facilitate representation
  • they administer elections
  • they ensure a peaceful transition of power
• what are the arguments for political parties threatening democracy?

  • they engage in adversarial politics which threatens to undermine parliament
  • turnout is not high in elections which indicates low faith in parties
  • parties can oversimplify issues
  • the need for finance for their campaigns allow excessive influence of rich interest groups
  • they fail to reflect the society they represent
• what was Labour's political party income in 2016?

  £49.8 million
• what was the conservatives political party income in 2016? 


  £28.3 million
• what are the arguments for political parties receiving state funding?

  • it stops wealthy groups influencing parties
  • it allows parties to focus on the electorate instead of fundraising
  • smaller parties would get fair financial support
  • less wealthy pressure groups will get a more equal hearing by parties
• what are the arguments against political parties receiving state funding?

  • politicians might be less interested in what pressure groups have to say
  • taxpayers should not be funding political parties
  • there would be disagreement over how funding would be allocated
• what were the key ideas and principles of old labour?

  • equality
  • collectivism
  • capitalism must be controlled
  • social justice
  • class systems are problematic
• how were the key ideas and principles of old labour reflected in policies?

  • tax + welfare should be used to reduce differences in income
  • wealth should not give unjustified access to power
  • welfare state should be funded by taxes
  • strong trade unions are necessary
  • key industries should be nationalised
  • free education and welfare
  • strong laws to guarantee equal rights
  • highly progressive taxes
• what are the key ideas and principles of new labour?

  • individualism
  • free market
  • welfare state
  • social justice
  • communitarianism
• how are the ideas of new labour reflected in policies?

  • low income tax
  • home ownership encouraged
  • small businesses encouraged
  • no more nationalisation
  • reduce corporate taxes
  • trade unions should be weak
  • increase spending on health and education
  • welfare state
  • minimum wage `
  • care for environment
  • emphasis on schools and social services
• When was gordon brown PM?

  2007-2010
• what was gordon brown known for?

  handling the banking crash in 2008 and his unpopularity with the public and constant threat of coups and leadership challenges within his party
• when was Ed Miliband leader of the labour party?

  2010-2015
• what was ed Miliband known for?

  struggled to get any support from the electorate due to image of incompetency the labour party had due to the financial crisis
• what was Jeremy corbyn known for?

  his left wing policies such as re-nationalisation of key industries, reintroduction of 50p tax rate, increase in corporation tax, establishment of national investment bank, reintroduction of maintenance grants for uni students.
• what did Blair's political parties, elections and referendums act in 2000 do?


  limited funding to £30,000 per constituency
• how did the creation of the PPERA impact funding of parties?

  it made it that donations could only be accepted from permissible donors
• when was the PPERA formed?

  2000
• how much of labours funding came from trade unions in 2021?

  80%
• what fraction of hedge fund managers donated to the conservatives?

  1/2 based on labour party analysis
• why did Boris Johnson appoint peter cruddas?


  he donated £500,000 to the conservative party
• what percentage of the tory parties donations came from 10 people as of 2021?

  25%
• what are the key ideas of traditional conservatism

  pragmatism, support of welfare, preference for low tax, state should help improve lives of poor, belief in organic society, 'managing' the economy, strong position on law + order, belief in traditional values, support property rights
• what are the key ideas of thatcherism?

  dogmatic approach, excessive welfare is a threat to enterprise, against high taxes, reduce state control, society a collection of unconnected individuals, lassiez-faire policy support, strong position on law + order, belief in traditional values, support property rights
• what are the key ideas of cameron?

  pragmatism > dogmatism, defensive of welfare, state need to give minimal help to deprived, 'big society', power of free-market, strong position on crime with consideration of cause, importance of family, support property rights.