British Politics

Political Parties, Elections, & Interest Groups

British Political PartiesLABOUR PARTYo Party emerged in response to new voter demands created by the

Industrial Revolutiono Traditionally the working class supports this partyo Tony Blair & Gordon Brown were both Labour Party Prime

Ministerso Largest Party on the “Left”o Gordon Brown is the party’s current leadero Won the National Elections in 1997, 2001, & 2005o Strong political and financial support from Labor Unions

British Political PartiesCONSERVATIVES PARTYo Generally supports a market-controlled economy, privatization of industry,

less involvement with the European Union, and fewer social welfare programs.

o Largest Party of the “Right”, a.k.a “Tories”o Traditionally the middle class supports this partyo Margaret Thatcher & John Major were both Conservative Party Prime

Ministerso Party characterized by noblesse oblige; viewed as ‘elitist’o David Cameron is the current party leadero Dominant party in Britain between WWII & 1997 o Traditional/One-Nation Wing – wants the country ruled by the elites and

generally supports British membership in the European Union o Thatcherite Wing – wants to roll back government controls, move to a full free

market economy, and are “Euroskeptics”

British Political Parties

British Political PartiesLIBERAL DEMOCRATS PARTYo Party formed as an alliance between the Liberals & Social

Democrats o Originally known as the “Whigs”o Serves as a strong party in the ‘middle’ of the political spectrumo Nick Clegg is the current party leadero Has campaigned for proportional representations and a US Style

Bill of Rightso In the 1980s they received as much as 26% of the vote, but only

earned 3.5% of the seats in Parliament o Have taken strong stands on the environment, health and

education

British Political Parties

BRITISH ELECTIONS

BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS• The only national officials that British voters

select are Members of Parliament (MP)• Elections must be held every 5 years – but the

Prime Minister (PM) can call them earlier• Technically the Monarchy dissolved Parliament –

but it is first requested by the Prime Minister (important power of the PM)

• The Prime Minister is not elected as Prime Minister – rather as a Member of Parliament

BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS• Parliamentary elections are based on a Single-

Member District Plurality Voting System (SMDP)– Each electoral district average 65,000 voters– Candidate with the most votes, wins the seat• “First-past-the post” “Winner-take-all”

– British parties select a candidate to run for each district

– Candidates do not have to live in the districts they represent

– Party leaders run in “safe districts” where their party usually wins

British Regional Governments• Through devolution, regional governments and their

unique election styles have emerged.– Ex.) Good Friday Agreement (1998) – Britain agreed to

give Northern Ireland a regional government• Regional governments in Northern Ireland, Scotland,

and Wales have proportional representation– National Assembly for Wales– Scottish Parliament– Northern Ireland Assembly

BRITISH INTEREST GROUPS• Britain has well-established interest

groups who are autonomous from the government that compete to influence policy– Interest Group Pluralism

– Ex.) Trade Union Congress (TUC) • Britain also has Quangos (quasi-

autonomous non-governmental organizations) – policy advisory boards appointed by the government.– Neo-corporatism – where interest

groups take the lead and dominate government policy creation.

Network Rail owns rail infrastructure – including railway tracks, signals,

tunnels, bridges, level crossings, and stations.

Britain’s Trade Union Congress

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