Its name implies, did exist to promote the interests of a particular group (the

working class).

However, as soon as it replaced the Liberal party as one of the big two (in the first

decades of the twentieth century), it fitted into the established framework. It is very

difficult for smaller parties to challenge the dominance of the bigger ones. If any of

them seem to have some good ideas, these are adopted by one of the big parties,

who try to appeal to as large a section of the population as possible.

A Guide to British Political Parties

CONSERVATIVE PARTY

History

Developed from the group of MPs known as the Tories in the early nineteenth century and still

often known informally by that name (especially in newspapers, because it takes up less space).

Traditional Outlook

Right of centre; stands for hierarchical authority and minimal government interference in the

economy; likes to reduce income tax; gives high priority to national defence and internal law and

order.

Since 1979

In government until 1997, aggressive reform of education, welfare, housing and many public

services designed to increase consumer-choice and/or to introduce 'market economics' into their

operation.

Organization

Leader has relatively great degree of freedom to direct policy.

Traditional voters

The richer sections of society, plus a large minority of the working classes.

Money

Mostly donations from business people.

LABOUR PARTY

History

Formed at the beginning of the twentieth century from an alliance of trade unionists and

intellectuals. First government in 1923

Traditional Outlook

Left of centre; stands for equality, for the weaker people in society and more government

involvement in the economy; more concerned to provide full social services than to keep income

tax low.

Since 1979

Originally, opposition to Conservative reforms, but then acceptance; in government since 1997,

emphasis on community ethics and equality of opportunity rather than equal distribution of

wealth; has loosened ties to trade unions.

Organization

In theory, policies have to be approved by annual conference; in practice, leader has more power

than this implies.

Traditional voters

Working class, plus a small middle-class intelligentsia.

Money

Formerly most from trade unions, now mostly from business people.

LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY

History

Formed in the late 1980s from a union of the Liberals (who developed from the Whigs in the

early nineteenth century) and the Social Democrats (a breakaway group of Labour politicians).

Policies

Regarded as centre or slightly left of centre; in favour of greater unification with the EU; more

emphasis on the environment than other parties; believes in giving greater powers to local

government and reform of the electoral system.

Traditional voters

From all classes, but more from middle class.

Money

Much poorer than the big two.

Nationalist parties

Both Plaid Cymru ('party of Wales' in the Welsh language) and the SNP (Scottish National

Party) stand ultimately for independence from the UK, although their supporters often include

those who just want greater internal self-government.

Both parties have usually had a few MPs at Westminster in the last 50 years, but well under half

of the MPs representing their respective countries.

Parties in Northern Ireland

The four main parties here represent either the Protestant or the Catholic communities. The

Protestant ones are the Democratic Unionists and the Ulster Unionists and the Catholic ones are

Sinn Fein and the Social Democratic and Labour Party. Between them they normally win all the

Irish seats in Westminster and the vast majority of seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The

Alliance Party, which asks for support from both communities, has a handful of seats in the

assembly.

Other parties

There are numerous very small parties. The three largest in recent years have been (1 )The Green party,

which is supported by environmentalists, (2) The British National Party (BNP), which campaigns against

immigration and (3)The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), which wants Britain to withdraw

from the European Union. Partly because of the electoral system, none of these parties has ever won a

seat in Parliament, or even got close to it. But the first two do better in local elections and have a handful

of seats on local councils across the country. All three do better in European elections and the Greens and

UKIP have won seats in the European parliament.