2.1 functions - features - funding

• How do parties successfully uphold representation?

  Representative democracy could not function without political parties. if politians simply represented their individual views, it would very difficult to establish a coherent effective government since its members would not be united by its political ideology.
• How do parties successfully uphold policy formulation?

  political parties successfully uphold policy formulation by delivering a manifesto made through discussion. Then issuing a manifestos enables voters across the country make rational choices about who they will vote for.
• How do parties successfully uphold there function of selecting candidates?

  Political parties select suitable candidates to stand for public office. Without political parties national selection process wealty individuals with populist agendas might find it easier to access power, with potentially dangerous consequences for the UK's liberal democracy.
• How do political parties not represent people's views?

  Political parties reduce voter choice by requiring them to associate themselves with the party manifesto even though they may disagree with parts of it. Therefore, not entirely representing their views. For instance, in 2017, Jeremy Corbyn's manifesto may have appealed voters on their policies on taxation but not nationalisation and defense. A political party can only partially represent one's views and limiting individuals choice
• How are MPs power of discussion during manifesto/policy limited?

  The freedom of MPs isreduced because although they can argue they have personal mandate the party whips expect them to support the programme of their political party. As Benjamin Disraeli said "Damn your principles. Stick to your party". Political parties, therefore, suffocate genuine debate in a representative democracy by monopolising political decision making.
• How do political parties create a negative and confrontational environment?

  they create a "spirit of faction", by too often focusing on their differences and fail to work together, often seen in Prime Minister Question Time. Which often creates a dangerously polarised government, much like the increase in far right ideals, seen in the Reformer Party.