Political Parties of Great Britain

Conservatives (Tories)

• Main party on the right.• Traditionally, more pragmatic and moderate

than Thatcher.• Noblesse Oblige*Tories: supported the king (“Whigs” were anti-king)

Split in Conservatives

Thatcherite Wing• Strict Conservatives• Euroskeptics

Traditional Wing• Noblesse Oblige Moderates• Generally support EU

•Cameron: Leans Traditional, butTrying to unite

Labour Party

• Main party on left• Est. in early 1900s– Trade Union Congress (TUC)– Socialist Groups

• Clause 4: nationalize industry• 1970s & 80s: Increasingly leftist.– Unions too powerful

Blair and “New Labour”

• Blair: 1994-2007– Moderated the party– Not from unions (Oxford lawyer)– Dumped “Clause 4”

Liberal Democrats

• Moderate Party• Est. in 1989: Merger of:– Liberal Party (Britain’s original leftist party)– Social Democrats (Conserv. who opposed Thatcher)

• Goal: Between Thatcherites and Leftist Labourites• Big Issues– Proportional Representation

• Under-represented by 1st Past the Post

– Bill of Rights (like U.S.)

“Liberal Democrats: A Long, Unhappy Marriage”

1. Why did Lib Dems lose half their support in the polls?

2. List SEVERAL major points of contention between Tories and Lib Dems.

3. What is the major point of agreement between the two?

4. In spite of differences/difficulties, why is Clegg loathe to end coalition?

“Liberal Democrats: A Long, Unhappy Marriage”

1. Why did Lib Dems lose half their support in the polls?

2. List SEVERAL major points of contention between Tories and Lib Dems.

3. What is the major point of agreement between the two?

4. In spite of differences/difficulties, why is Clegg loathe to end coalition?

Minor Parties

Wales• Plaid Cymru– Union with England in

1500s

Minor Parties

Scotland• Scottish National Party– Joined through marriage

in 1600s.

Minor Party

Northern Ireland• Sinn Fein: Catholics• Democratic Unionist

Party: Protestants• Ireland united with

Great Britain 1801.• Republic of Ireland

granted home rule in 1920s.– Not N. Ireland

• 60% Protestant• 40% Catholic

Power Base of Parties

Conservative• England (298 of 307)– Suburbs and Rural areas

Labour• Wales• Scotland• Industrial north of

England• Urban London

Liberal Democrats• South West– Traditional home of

Liberals– Home of Lib Dem early

leaders

• Scotland

Political Socialization

• Process of developing political values and beliefs.

AGENTS OF POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION