Functions

• Functions of Political Parties

  • Making Policy.
  • Representation.
  • Selecting candidates.
  • Identifying leaders.
  • Organising elections.
  • Political Education.
• Making Policy

  • When in government; policy-making role of the Party is the same as policy-making by the Government; most policy is made by Minister and their civil servants and advisers; backbenchers get some say through conferences and committees but not much.
  • When in opposition; general membership of the party dictates policy direction through conferences and party committees, and the opposition leadership reflects this; sometimes this is not the case, eg Starmer's opposition to Momentum.
• Representation Function of Political Parties

  • Seek to ensure all members of society have their voices considered and reflected in government decisionmaking.
  • Emergence of populist parties can change this function.
  • Rise of 'issue parties' = Green Party; represent a specific cause.
• Selecting candidates

  • Need to find prospective candidates for local councillors, elected mayors, MPs.
  • Done at a local and regional level through party committees staffed by activists.
  • National Party leadership may have some say in which candidates are chosen.
  • All-Women shortlists introduced.
• Identifying leaders

  • Positive identification; In 2016, Theresa May was overwhelmingly favoured by Conservative MPs and members so all opponents withdrew from leadership contest - made the Party appear united.
  • Negative identification; In 2015, the Party membership elected Corbyn but were at odds with the more moderate Labour MPs and Peers - made Party appear weak.
• Political Education

  • Constantly educate people about political issues, explaining their ideas on how to approach key issues.
  • Educate the Public about how the electoral system works - major parties educated voters about new Voter ID laws.
  • Arguably this function has declined; media has now taken over role in informing the public and educating them.