THE PARTY SYSTEM
The Party System until 1920:
o Conservatives (Tories)
o Liberals (Whigs)
Labour Party (19-20th century) – the second largest party after I World War
Main political parties:
o Conservative Party - of the right
o Labour Party – of the left
o Social and Liberal Democratic Party (from 1988) – of the middle
Nationalistic political parties (less important now):
o Scottish Nationalist Party
o Plaid Cymru – Welsh – promotes its country, culture, little different nationalist party
o Ulster Unionist – Irish – rather conservative party
o Sinn Fein – Irish – old party
o The Green Party
o British National Party
THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY
The Conservative Party is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House of Commons with 307 seats. It is preceded by Tories. The party is more popular in southern England. Its leader is David Cameron. They don’t support welfare institutions. They are against changes in society.
o Party of the right;
o Party of the establishment - leaders of business, institutions, media, transport, universities etc.;
o For economic freedom - lower taxes, don’t want government intervention;
o Private enterprise – their main ideology;
o Protection of national interest – they don’t accept some parts of United Europe’s policy;
o Loyalty to family, Queen – traditional values – associated with Protestant Church.
If somebody want to become member of the party, first he had to join Association.
Association for a constituency:
o To choose party candidate for next elections.
o To keep in touch with him as an MP.
Conservative Party Confluence:
o lasts four days;
o in October;
o seaside towns – they change towns because of bomb attacks planned some time ago;
o attend by representatives of associations, MPs, national leaders
o don’t make party policy
o meeting and discussions
THE LABOUR PARTY
The Labour Party
o Formed from alliance of Trade Union* and intellectuals
o Founded in 1900 to:
o protect rights of working class (financial, health)
o provide voice in Parliament for Trade Union
o Party of the left
o Government involvement in economy
o Social and economic equality
o Economic pannier (socialist idea)
o Public ownership (transport, gas, railways, water supplies, electricity)
o More internationalism in foreign affairs (pressing to the UK to become member in UE)
o Full social service – welfare states
They are popular in Northern England, the Midlands and South Wales.
Affiliated organisations:
o Trade Unions – are an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members (rank and file members) and negotiates labour contracts (collective bargaining) with employers. This may include the negotiation of wages, work rules, complaint procedures, rules governing hiring, firing and promotion of workers, benefits, workplace safety, policies.
The agreements negotiated by the union leaders are binding on the rank and file members and the employer and in some cases on other non-member workers.
o Cooperative societies
Labour Party Confluence:
o meet in October
o in a seaside towns
o Delegates from: Trade Unions, cooperative societies, associations (people votes to choose delegates)
o Decisions about main lines of party policy
(During conference) The National Executive Committee
THE CENTRE
Liberal Democrats was formed in 1988 by a combination of Liberal Party and Social Democratic Party
o has about 10% supporters
o in favour of European union
o reform of electoral system
o environmental issues
o mixed economy
o new industries
o power to local governments
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