Let’s be honest, there are so many different political parties that each believe in slightly different things. On top of this, what even are they and why do they matter so much?
Well worry no more, I’m going to try my best to answer all of the above and more.
So, whether it’s to impress your family around the dinner table, or maybe (like me) you’re more interested in the drama, let’s take a look at UK political parties!
What are Political Parties and Why Do They Matter?
When voting in the UK general election, you vote for an individual candidate to represent your local area (an MP). That candidate usually belongs to a political party.
A political parties’ main aim is to form a Government so they can implement the changes they believe are best for the country. Anyone can become a member of a political party.
Parties develop policies that they seek to implement if in power. Your local candidate will champion those policies and ideologies while also representing your local area.
While the candidate represents your local area, it is the parties that they are from which have the opportunity to form Governments and local councils.
So now we have a decent understanding of what political parties are and why they’re important, here’s a quick overview of each political party and what they stand for.
List of UK Political Parties and What They Believe:
It’s important to note that this is only a very brief summary of each party and what they represent. Depending on current events and leadership, the ideologies and policies of each party can change. Hence why this is a look at what each party traditionally stand for and believe in.
Conservative party:
Overview: The Conservatives are the main centre-right political party in the United Kingdom. They are the main party to champion ‘Conservatism’ (a commitment to traditional values and ideas). They’re in favour of less government intervention in our lives. They believe that the less the Government interfere with society and people’s lives, the better.
Economics: They position themselves as a pro-business party. This largely means they aim to keep taxes low for both businesses and individuals, they don’t believe it’s fair to take money from people in society for the Government to spend it on public services etc.
Previous Prime Ministers: Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and Boris Johnson.
Labour Party:
Overview: The Labour Party is the main centre-left political party in the United Kingdom. In contrast to the Conservative party, Labour is traditionally in favour of more government intervention. Labour believe that Government should do more to tackle inequality, they want more rights for workers and position themselves as the party of the working class.
Economics: They traditionally seek to redistribute wealth in society, they’re in favour of higher taxes (primarily on the wealthy and businesses) so that the Government can spend more on services like the NHS, public transport etc.
Labour Prime Ministers: Clement Atlee, Harold Wilson and Tony Blair.
The Liberal Democrats:
Overview: The Liberal Democrats is a centre/centre-left political party. They position themselves as an alternative choice to both The Conservatives and Labour. As a party, they believe in changing the UK’s voting system so it’s more representative. They also want little interference on our privacy from Government. They like to see themselves as a non-radical party that believe in stability and gradual change.
Economics: They traditionally believe in limited economic intervention but do believe in more Government spending to fund public services.
Liberal Democrat Prime Ministers: Nick Clegg was Deputy PM during a coalition with the Conservatives.
Scottish National Party:
Overview: The SNP is a left-wing political party. Overwhelmingly, they campaign for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. They want another referendum for Scotland to decide whether to leave the UK.
Economics: They believe in more government funding for public services.
The United Kingdom: Well, that one’s obvious.
The Green Party:
Overview: The Green Party is a left-wing party that is primarily focused on the issue of climate change. They regularly campaign for more to be done to combat the climate crisis and support radical changes against inequality in society.
Plaid Cyrmu:
Overview: Plaid Cyrmu is a left-wing party that is in favour of Welsh independence from the United Kingdom. They promote the teaching and use of the Welsh language in Wales and want to hold a Welsh referendum on leaving the UK.
Democratic Unionist Party:
Overview: The DUP is an Irish, right-wing party. They want Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK. They’re considered to be the most socially Conservative party in British politics. For example, they historically have opposed abortion and equal marriage.
Sinn Fein:
Overview: Sinn Fein is a left-wing Irish party. They want Northern Ireland to leave the United Kingdom and be part of the Republic of Ireland.
It’s important to mention that there are other parties that exist. However, I thought it would be best to focus on the ones above.
It Doesn’t Matter What Political Party You Belong To:
Just because someone belongs/supports/votes for another party that you don’t agree with, that doesn’t make them your enemy.
Every party mentioned above want the best for their country and the people that live there.
The only difference between each party is that they have a different view on how to run things.
Politics can feel extremely divisive because we treat political parties as tribes that are constantly at war with each other. This isn’t true.
MP’s from both parties regularly work together to achieve common goals, make compromises and improve the United Kingdom and/or their respective countries.
Politics is about compromise. No matter how much two sides can disagree with one another, there will always be some sort of common ground that can be found to bring about positive change.
If you are a supporter of a political party, try to not see people who support a different party as your enemy, they are not.
They – like you – want what’s best for the country and bring about positive change. They just have a different idea of how to achieve that.
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