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POLITICAL PARTIES IN UNITED

KINGDOM

HISTORY OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN UK:

Emergence of political parties is inevitable in morden democracies.

Political parties aim at capturing the power of government, of course,

within consitutional means, to implement their programmes. A truly

representative system can't be conceived in the absence of political

groupings. In Britian political parties, like other democartic institution

have an evolutionary growth and cabinet from of government is really

a fruit of this development.

EVOLUTIONARY GROWTH:

Emergence of political parties in England, can be traced back to 17th

century when the tussle started between the cavaliers and Round

heads. During stuart period, the basis of party division was the

constitutional issue involving the nature of monarchy viz, whether it

should be limited or absolute? cavaliers favoured absolute rule of the

monarch while the Round heads supported constitutionalgovernment.

PERIOD OF CHARLESII:

During the period of charlesII, political parties emerged under the

new names of tory and whigs.After the glorious revolution of 1688,

parties were organised on explicit programmes.After succession to

the throne of hanroverian dynasty in 1714, the supporters of the royal

family became active under whig party while Tories would performthe role of opposition.

UNDER THE RULE OF GEORGEIII:

Under the rule of georgeIII, whig party came to be know as liberals

and the tories as conservatives. Former believed in the introduction

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of liberal reforms while the latter supported a status quo inthe policy

process. Liberals party remained in power from 1905 to 1915 and it

introduced many reforms. This decade has been regarded as the

most important one in british political history.

THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY:

Emergence of labour party in the early 20th century is an important

event in the history of british political parties. A labour convention was

convened in 1900 which decided to form committee of labour

representatives.This committee came to be know as labour party in

1904.By the beginning of world war I, this party was firmly established

and it got offical recognition as opposition. It was in 1924 after the fall

of Baldwin Ministry, that the labour party came into power. With theemergence of a strong labour party, the liberal party receded into the

background and lost its political improtance.

MAJOR PARTIES IN HOUSE OF COMMON:

Three parties dominate politics in the House of Commons. They all

operate throughout Great Britain (only the Conservative and Unionist

Party stands candidates in Northern Ireland). Most of the British

Members of the European Parliament and the National Assembly for

Wales represent one of these parties:

Conservative and Unionist Party, centrist to right-wing

(traditionally centre-right and pragmatic; has always been a

diverse and not always harmonious coalition) (306 seats in the

House of Commons)

Labour Party, centrist to Left-wing (traditionally socialist; is now a

broad socialist and trade unionist to social liberal and social

democratic party) (258 seats)

Co-operative Party (all Co-operative Party MPs are also Labour

MPs as part of a long-standing electoral agreement)

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Liberal Democrats, radical-centrist (heavily influenced by social

liberalism). (57 seats)

FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES :

Politics, and therefore politicians, invariably have to respond to what

society in general and individuals specifically want out of their

community. These are the values and beliefs that society in general

has. The most common are likely to be:

ELECTORAL SYSTEM CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM:

reform of the electoral system constitutional reform better and more

effective law and order; an expansion of our police forces an

improved public transport system reform of the welfare system

improved national health and education systems better protection of

the environment greater government accountability a Freedom of

Information Act as found in America.

INTEREST / PRESSURE GROUP:

A government is likely to listen to any of the values or the

interest/pressure groups if there is a political reason to do so. If the

support for one is an electoral liability (even if it is a sound

prospective policy) then it is likely that such support will not be

forthcoming.

In 1997, the Liberal Democrats lead by Paddy Ashdown, stated in the

run-up to the election, that they, if elected, would put 1p on income

tax to fund education. All political analysts decided that this was an

honest statement but political folly as no-one was going to vote in a

party - however laudable its policies - if they meant that their ownincome tax would increase, even if they did support a policy of more

money going into state education.

Any imposed "Green Tax" to fund a clean-up of the environment

would also certainly meet with the same response. Everybody wants

a cleaner environment but no individual wants to see his/her income

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decreased to assist in the financing of it. Only if the party analysts

and researchers have got their information correct, and their findings

show that people would be willing to do this, would there be a chance

that this would become an electoral issue.

FEATURES OF PARTY POLITICS:

Two party system has a parallel growth along with the evolution of

modern political institutions in Britian. Other small parties at no stage,

gained much political significance. At present, labour and

conservative parties have dominated and political scence.

CENTRALISM IN PARTY ORGANISATION:

Before the emergence of labour party, the organisation, of political

parties was not well- knit and sound. At present,their organisation is

characterised by strict adherence to disciplinary rules, based on

centralism. The central party leadership has firm control over all party

units at lower levels. The presence of geographical contiguity and

limited territory accounts for the promotion of trends of centralism in

the party structure.

IDEOLOGICAL BASIS:Before the emergence of labour party, British political parties were

neither organised on ideological basis, nor they developed sharp

differences in respect of their programmes. At present, both parties

represent two opposite schools of thinking. Labour party believes in

introducing socialistic model of economy within, of course, a

democratic framework, while the conservatives want to preserve the

old order with certian progressive reforms. The former does not

however, believes in Marxism nor deviates sharply form thetraditional ways of life of the british society.

CONTINUOUS STRUGGLE:

Orgnisation of british political parties has been characterised by firm

commitment to the set democratic values and norms. Each party has

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its own programme, Manifesto rules and regulations and organisation

that bears a colse resemblance to governmental structure. The

activities of political parties are not confined merely to electioneering

they remain politically active even after that and continuously perform

the function of political socialisation.

PARTY DISCIPLINE:

Birtish parties have a glorious tradition of maintaining party discipline.

very few members changes their political affiliations an over

whelming majority adheres to party decisions and its programme.

Members of political parties cast their vote in the house, according to

the decisions their parliamentary party, crossing the floor is a practice

alien to this society. Violation to partydiscipline is severely dealt witheven to the extend of expulsion from the party ranks.

COOPERATION AND ACCOMMODATION:

The presence of fratemal feelings and sense of cooperation among

the members of political parties is not merely due to stirct party

discipline, it is rather deeply planted in their political culture. People

join parties as these have their sets norms, values and programmes

and all these aspects hold them together.

PARTY POLITICS ARID CIVIL SERVICE:

Under spoil system, which existed in the past in America a large

number of civil servants were recruited along with the assumption of

presidency by new incumbent while the pervious ones had to quit.

Hence civil servants were recruited and removed political basis and

merit was given no consideration. But in Britian, civil servants have

always been kept apart from partical politics. They fully enjoy securityof service.

PARTY ORGANISATION AND MODE OF ACTION:

British political parties have their distinct programmes and modes of

action synonymous with political culture of English socitey. The

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highilights of these aspects are given below:

CONSERVATIVE PARTY:

Conservative party aims at the preservation of old british traditions

and its legacy. its main programme revolves around the promotion of

national integration, safeguarding of the interest of crown and the

church and the preservation of free economy pattern. it does not

imply that the party is against progressive reforms.

ECONOMIC PROGRAMME:

Its economic programme fully manifest's welfare policy. it has thus

adjusted its programme and policies according to the trends changing

circumstances. But conservative party condemns the adoption of

abrupt methods for changing the system and believes in evolutionary

process to this effect. The upper class consisting of big industrialists,

land lord, traders and clergy are specially its main source of strenght.

CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP IN THE 19TH CENTURY:

The conservative leadership in the 19th century was mostly

concentrated in land-owners. it has now broadened, but it remains

upper class. it includes both born aristocrats and self made people

but is still characterised by social exclusiveness, a little snobbery

academic education and wealth. conservative M.Ps in contrast to

labour party are mostly barristers, landowners, bussiness people,

journalists and retired military officers.

ORGANISATION:

Conservative party does not compries autonomous organisations in

its set-up. it is to be noted that labour party's main source of power is

the trade unions. The important organ in conservative party is

National union, consisting of two and half million persons. An annual

conference decides the policy matters

CENTRAL CONUCIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTE:

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The central conucil is the most important administrative organ of the

party. it convenes its sessions twice a year in which the reports

submitted by administrative committee are considered. In addition, it

examines the proposals of local cells of the party. On the basis of

these reports, the central council prepares recommendations to besubmitted to the party leadership. Central council is comparatively

more active organ which holds its meetings frequently after a short

spell to examine various reports and resolutions.

CENTRAL OFFICE AND PARTY FUNDS:

The party maintians its permanent headquartes with a huge staff at

its disposals. Chairmen of the offices and treasurer are appointed by

party leaders. Any party member who seeks to contest the electionsas candidate, is expected to get the sanction from the central office

otherwise local party cell is not bound to support him during the

elections. A nominal annual subscription is taken from the members,

as contribution to party funds. Special contribution is also collected to

meet party expenditure while big industrial establishments float huge

subscriptions.

LABOUR PARTY:

The organisation of labour party is very vast and its structure

somewhat intricate, as different autonomous orgaisations affiliated

with it. All these organisations are given representation in the central

set-up.These affiliated organisation can be classified as:

Socialist Societies that inculde intellectual elements

Cooperative Societies

Trade union

Hence labour party inculdes within its folds, person belonging to

different walks of life. Mostly it represents a combination of middle

class reformers and organised labour. Sometimes, union act as a

constituency part themselves, and the local parties frequently accept

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nominees of unions, as the latter provides financial and

organisational support.

LABOUR PARTY AIM:

Labour party aim at the betterment of the working classes in

particular and believes in evolutionary socialism. its programme

ensures the provision of the equal opportunities to all alike for the

material and moral development of the society as a whole. Main

source of strength of labour party are the working classes and other

low income groups. party programme also attracts the middle class.

ORGANISATION:

Party organisation has different steps, Annual party Conference,

being the most important.All the affiliated organisation and

associations are given representation in A.P.C according to their

importance. Certian other important members of the party are also

included in the conference. The Conference makes policy decisions.

NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE:

Its compirses twenty members who represent twelve different trade

unions, seven of these members represent organisations while five

women are also its members.All members are elected by the

respective organisations to attend the Annual Conference of the

party. All the arrangments of the conference are made by

administrative committee.

Administrative comittee holds its meetings monthly that continues for

two or three days, in which important policy decisions are taken. In

additions it controls and supervise the central party offices. The latter

exerise administrative control over local party cells and coordinate

their activities. The central offices also perform the function of political

communication viz., to control publications etc.The administrative

committee can take the action against any of its memebers in case of

violation of party discipline. No member of the party is allowed to

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contest the national election as a candidate without the authorisation

by the committee.

NATIONAL COUNCIL:

National council performs the useful function of coordinating the

activities of all cells and organs of the party. Its consists of twenty one

members and holds its sessions monthly in which collective

programmes are shaped. The trade union also control the natinal

executive council, which administers the party apparatus.

MANIFESTO:

Before the emergence of labour party party was not organised on

solid basis. At present electorate are provided with a choice to select

any of the alternative well-knit political programmes. Old party

division has been replaced by a chioce between two opposite ways of

life. Labour party wants to put big industries under state control. The

main features of its programme are general welfare promotion of

education, provision of health facilities proper wages, to the working

classes, unemployment insurance etc. It aims at increasing the

industrial and agricultural output and providing jobs opportunities. In

the domain of foreign policy, it believes in international peace andsecurity and collective defence.The party nationalised the big

industrial concerns during 1945-51 and

LIBERAL PARTY:

With the emergence of labour party liberal party losts its significance.

Its programme stands in- between the programmes of both the big

parties. It believes in free economy but wants to introduce economic

reforms for general welfare and economic solidarity of the society.

In contrast to labour party's programme, liberal party detest the

policy of nationalisation of industries, rather support private

ownership and encouragement of public investments. In

agriculture sector it intends to increase the agricultural output

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through small land holdings.

Liberal party despite its dislikeness for socialism believes in

progressive economic reforms. In order to increase industrial output

its favours nationalisation of certian big industries. Hence economicprogramme combines within its fold, features of both free economy

and socialist economy. its aviods barcket itself with any particular

ideology, hence adopts moderates policies.

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