British Politics

1. British Politics Political Parties, Elections, & Interest Groups

2. British Political Parties LABOUR PARTY • Party emerged in response to new voter demands created by the Industrial Revolution • Traditionally the working class supports this party • Tony Blair & Gordon Brown were both Labour Party Prime Ministers • Largest Party on the “Left” • Gordon Brown is the party’s current leader • Won the National Elections in 1997, 2001, & 2005 • Strong political and financial support from Labor Unions

3. British Political Parties British Political Parties CONSERVATIVES PARTY • Generally supports a market-controlled economy, privatization of industry, less involvement with the European Union, and fewer social welfare programs. • Largest Party of the “Right”, a.k.a “Tories” • Traditionally the middle class supports this party • Margaret Thatcher & John Major were both Conservative Party Prime Ministers • Party characterized by noblesse oblige; viewed as ‘elitist’ • David Cameron is the current party leader • Dominant party in Britain between WWII & 1997 • Traditional/One-Nation Wing – wants the country ruled by the elites and generally supports British membership in the European Union • Thatcherite Wing – wants to roll back government controls, move to a full free market economy, and are “Euroskeptics”

4. British Political Parties British Political Parties LIBERAL DEMOCRATS PARTY • Party formed as an alliance between the Liberals & Social Democrats • Originally known as the “Whigs” • Serves as a strong party in the ‘middle’ of the political spectrum • Nick Clegg is the current party leader • Has campaigned for proportional representations and a US Style Bill of Rights • In the 1980s they received as much as 26% of the vote, but only earned 3.5% of the seats in Parliament • Have taken strong stands on the environment, health and education

6. BRITISH ELECTIONS

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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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