Define political recruitment as a function of parties.

Political recruitment is the way parties identify, train and promote future MPs, ministers and party leaders.

True or False? A key feature of a political party is that it unites around a single, narrow policy rather than a broad ideology.

False. A key feature is that parties unite around a shared ideology or broad policy goals.

A manifesto is a published programme of policy commitments that a party sets out for voters to judge.

Which party function allowed the Conservatives to select Liz Truss as Prime Minister in 2022?

The function of forming a government allowed the Conservatives to select Liz Truss as Prime Minister after Boris Johnson resigned in 2022.

Running campaigns and encouraging turnout, as Labour and the SNP did through heavy social media use in 2024, is the party function of organising elections and voters.

Running campaigns and encouraging turnout, as Labour and the SNP did through heavy social media use in 2024, is the party function of organising elections and mobilising voters.

Define representation as a function of parties.

Representation is the function whereby MPs represent and raise the concerns of their constituents in Parliament.

What shared aim unites the members of a political party?

Party members share a desire to gain and exercise political power , mainly by winning elections or influencing government policy.

Define political education as a function of parties.

Political education is how parties explain policies to the public, improving voter understanding and accountability.

True or False? Selecting and endorsing candidates for public office is a feature of political parties.

True. Parties select and endorse candidates for elections as one of their defining features.

Political parties have constitutions, leadership election rules and a system.

Political parties have constitutions, leadership election rules and a membership system.

What does the use of a 'shortlist of one' to select a candidate in Basildon & Billericay in 2024 show about parties' recruitment function?

It shows that parties can control candidate selection , sometimes limiting local choice, as when Richard Holden was selected via a shortlist of one.

Define state funding of political parties.

State funding refers to political parties receiving money from the public purse to support their operations, policy development and election activity.

Which funding source provided the Conservatives with £15 million from Frank Hester's company TPP for the 2024 election?

Large private donations from wealthy individuals and companies are a key funding source, such as the £15 million from Frank Hester's TPP.

Define the UK's mixed funding model for political parties.

The UK's mixed funding model combines private donations, membership fees and limited public funding.

Major trade unions such as Unite, GMB and Unison each donate around to Labour annually.

Major trade unions such as Unite, GMB and Unison each donate around £1 million to Labour annually.

True or False? The UK provides public money to fund general election campaigning.

False. There is no public money for general election campaigning, though opposition parties receive Short Money and Policy Development Grants.

Short Money is public funding given to opposition parties to support their parliamentary work.

Which 2000 Act created the Electoral Commission and introduced strict donation and spending limits?

The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (PPERA) 2000 created the Electoral Commission and introduced strict donation and spending limits.

In 2024, the Labour Party's income of around £90 million came from what kind of funding base?

It came from a diverse mix of sources , including donations (around £40 million), membership fees (around £18 million) and commercial activities.

The small fines issued under PPERA, such as the £10,750 for the Conservatives in 2024, are criticised as a limited against wealthy donors.

The small fines issued under PPERA, such as the £10,750 for the Conservatives in 2024, are criticised as a limited deterrent against wealthy donors.

Define Policy Development Grants .

Policy Development Grants are public funds for research and policy work, distributed by the Electoral Commission.

What does the Committee on Standards finding that 82% see party funding as important suggest about reform?

It suggests there is public support for reforming party funding , as the Committee on Standards found 82% consider the issue important.

True or False? Supporters argue state funding could reduce the influence of big donors.

True. State funding is argued to reduce the influence of big donors and limit 'cash-for-access' concerns.

Define One-Nation Conservatism .

One-Nation Conservatives are centrist conservatives favouring social cohesion, a moderate state role, developing public services and pragmatic economic management.

In which year did the modern Liberal Democrat Party form?

The modern Liberal Democrat Party formed in 1988 after the SDP-Liberal merger.

In the 2024 general election, the Liberal Democrats returned MPs to Parliament.

In the 2024 general election, the Liberal Democrats returned 72 MPs to Parliament.

Define the New Right as a Conservative tradition.

The New Right are more right-wing conservatives who champion individualism, free markets, lower taxes, limited welfare and stronger approaches to law and order.

Which Conservative faction is hardline on Brexit and immigration?

The European Research Group (ERG) is hardline on Brexit and immigration.

Define Old Labour (social democracy).

Old Labour favours state intervention to redistribute wealth, nationalisation of industries, strong trade unions and a progressive tax system.

True or False? The Labour Party was founded in the early 20th century by trade unions and socialist groups.

True. Labour was founded in the early 20th century to represent the working class and promote social justice.

Define New Labour (the Third Way).

New Labour accepts free-market principles, targets welfare at the most needy, and favours weaker trade unions and lower taxes to encourage growth.

Which Labour faction prioritises nationalisation, expansive welfare and anti-austerity?

The Socialist Campaign Group prioritises nationalisation, expansive welfare and anti-austerity.

Define Classic (Orange Book) Liberals .

Classic (Orange Book) Liberals sit nearer the centre, focusing on individual freedoms and mobility through lesser state intervention.

The Conservative Party has its origins in the centuries as a party focused on stability and tradition.

The Conservative Party has its origins in the 18th-19th centuries as a party focused on stability and tradition.

Which broad ideological tradition, alongside constitutionalism and being pro-Europe, is associated with the Liberal Democrats?

The Liberal Democrats are associated with social liberalism , alongside constitutionalism and being pro-Europe.

Define national sovereignty .

National sovereignty is a state's independent authority to make its own laws, control its borders, and govern without interference from external powers.

Which minor party's pressure on immigration policy helped drive the Conservatives' Rwanda scheme?

Reform UK's pressure on Conservative immigration policy helped drive the Rwanda scheme, despite the party winning only 5 MPs in 2024.

True or False? The SNP won more seats than Reform UK in the 2024 general election.

True. The SNP won 9 MPs, compared with Reform UK's 5 MPs, despite Reform UK winning far more votes.

Define grassroots democracy .

Grassroots democracy is decision-making led from the bottom up, giving local members and communities real influence rather than concentrating power in party leaders.

By which year did the Green Party's 2024 manifesto pledge to reach Net Zero?

The Green Party's 2024 manifesto pledged to reach Net Zero by 2040 .

In the 2024 general election, the Green Party won 1.8m votes and MPs.

In the 2024 general election, the Green Party won 1.8m votes and 4 MPs.

Unionism is a political belief supporting the continued unity of the United Kingdom, opposing independence for nations like Scotland or Wales.

Which party's 2024 manifesto pledged to begin independence talks and rejoin the EU?

The SNP's 2024 manifesto pledged to begin independence talks and rejoin the EU.

Rising support for which party pushed the Conservatives to pledge an EU referendum in 2015?

Rising support for UKIP pushed the Conservatives to pledge an EU referendum in their 2015 manifesto.

Which Prime Minister's minority government did the DUP support through a 2017 confidence-and-supply agreement?

The DUP supported Theresa May's minority government through a 2017 confidence-and-supply agreement.

Define internationalism .

Internationalism is the belief that countries should cooperate closely with one another, recognising mutual interests and shared global challenges.

The DUP won 172,000 votes and MPs in the 2024 general election.

The DUP won 172,000 votes and 5 MPs in the 2024 general election.

Define party system .

A party system refers to the number of parties with a realistic chance of forming a government.

Which two parties have dominated UK government at Westminster for around 100 years?

Labour and the Conservatives have dominated UK government at Westminster for around 100 years.

The highly disproportionate 2024 result, where Labour and the Conservatives won 57% of the vote but 82% of the seats, is evidence the UK remains a system.

The highly disproportionate 2024 result, where Labour and the Conservatives won 57% of the vote but 82% of the seats, is evidence the UK remains a two-party system.

True or False? Proportional electoral systems generally return two-party systems.

False. Proportional systems generally return multi-party systems, while majoritarian and plurality systems tend to return two-party systems.

A LevelPoliticsEdexcelFlashcardsUK Politics & Core Political IdeasPolitical Parties

Political Parties (Edexcel A Level Politics): Flashcards

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FrontFunctions & Features of Political Parties
Define political recruitment as a function of parties.

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Cards in this collection (59)

Define political recruitment as a function of parties.
Political recruitment is the way parties identify, train and promote future MPs, ministers and party leaders.
True or False?
A key feature of a political party is that it unites around a single, narrow policy rather than a broad ideology.
False.
A key feature is that parties unite around a shared ideology or broad policy goals.
Define manifesto.
A manifesto is a published programme of policy commitments that a party sets out for voters to judge.
Which party function allowed the Conservatives to select Liz Truss as Prime Minister in 2022?
The function of forming a government allowed the Conservatives to select Liz Truss as Prime Minister after Boris Johnson resigned in 2022.
Running campaigns and encouraging turnout, as Labour and the SNP did through heavy social media use in 2024, is the party function of organising elections and voters.
Running campaigns and encouraging turnout, as Labour and the SNP did through heavy social media use in 2024, is the party function of organising elections and mobilising voters.
Define representation as a function of parties.
Representation is the function whereby MPs represent and raise the concerns of their constituents in Parliament.
What shared aim unites the members of a political party?
Party members share a desire to gain and exercise political power, mainly by winning elections or influencing government policy.
Define political education as a function of parties.
Political education is how parties explain policies to the public, improving voter understanding and accountability.
True or False?
Selecting and endorsing candidates for public office is a feature of political parties.
True.
Parties select and endorse candidates for elections as one of their defining features.
Political parties have constitutions, leadership election rules and a system.
Political parties have constitutions, leadership election rules and a membership system.
What does the use of a 'shortlist of one' to select a candidate in Basildon & Billericay in 2024 show about parties' recruitment function?
It shows that parties can control candidate selection, sometimes limiting local choice, as when Richard Holden was selected via a shortlist of one.
Define state funding of political parties.
State funding refers to political parties receiving money from the public purse to support their operations, policy development and election activity.
Which funding source provided the Conservatives with £15 million from Frank Hester's company TPP for the 2024 election?
Large private donations from wealthy individuals and companies are a key funding source, such as the £15 million from Frank Hester's TPP.
Define the UK's mixed funding model for political parties.
The UK's mixed funding model combines private donations, membership fees and limited public funding.
Major trade unions such as Unite, GMB and Unison each donate around to Labour annually.
Major trade unions such as Unite, GMB and Unison each donate around £1 million to Labour annually.
True or False?
The UK provides public money to fund general election campaigning.
False.
There is no public money for general election campaigning, though opposition parties receive Short Money and Policy Development Grants.
Define Short Money.
Short Money is public funding given to opposition parties to support their parliamentary work.
Which 2000 Act created the Electoral Commission and introduced strict donation and spending limits?
The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (PPERA) 2000 created the Electoral Commission and introduced strict donation and spending limits.
In 2024, the Labour Party's income of around £90 million came from what kind of funding base?
It came from a diverse mix of sources, including donations (around £40 million), membership fees (around £18 million) and commercial activities.
The small fines issued under PPERA, such as the £10,750 for the Conservatives in 2024, are criticised as a limited against wealthy donors.
The small fines issued under PPERA, such as the £10,750 for the Conservatives in 2024, are criticised as a limited deterrent against wealthy donors.
Define Policy Development Grants.
Policy Development Grants are public funds for research and policy work, distributed by the Electoral Commission.
What does the Committee on Standards finding that 82% see party funding as important suggest about reform?
It suggests there is public support for reforming party funding, as the Committee on Standards found 82% consider the issue important.
True or False?
Supporters argue state funding could reduce the influence of big donors.
True.
State funding is argued to reduce the influence of big donors and limit 'cash-for-access' concerns.
Define One-Nation Conservatism.
One-Nation Conservatives are centrist conservatives favouring social cohesion, a moderate state role, developing public services and pragmatic economic management.
In which year did the modern Liberal Democrat Party form?
The modern Liberal Democrat Party formed in 1988 after the SDP-Liberal merger.
In the 2024 general election, the Liberal Democrats returned MPs to Parliament.
In the 2024 general election, the Liberal Democrats returned 72 MPs to Parliament.
Define the New Right as a Conservative tradition.
The New Right are more right-wing conservatives who champion individualism, free markets, lower taxes, limited welfare and stronger approaches to law and order.
Which Conservative faction is hardline on Brexit and immigration?
The European Research Group (ERG) is hardline on Brexit and immigration.
Define Old Labour (social democracy).
Old Labour favours state intervention to redistribute wealth, nationalisation of industries, strong trade unions and a progressive tax system.
True or False?
The Labour Party was founded in the early 20th century by trade unions and socialist groups.
True.
Labour was founded in the early 20th century to represent the working class and promote social justice.
Define New Labour (the Third Way).
New Labour accepts free-market principles, targets welfare at the most needy, and favours weaker trade unions and lower taxes to encourage growth.
Which Labour faction prioritises nationalisation, expansive welfare and anti-austerity?
The Socialist Campaign Group prioritises nationalisation, expansive welfare and anti-austerity.
Define Classic (Orange Book) Liberals.
Classic (Orange Book) Liberals sit nearer the centre, focusing on individual freedoms and mobility through lesser state intervention.
The Conservative Party has its origins in the centuries as a party focused on stability and tradition.
The Conservative Party has its origins in the 18th-19th centuries as a party focused on stability and tradition.
Which broad ideological tradition, alongside constitutionalism and being pro-Europe, is associated with the Liberal Democrats?
The Liberal Democrats are associated with social liberalism, alongside constitutionalism and being pro-Europe.
Define national sovereignty.
National sovereignty is a state's independent authority to make its own laws, control its borders, and govern without interference from external powers.
Which minor party's pressure on immigration policy helped drive the Conservatives' Rwanda scheme?
Reform UK's pressure on Conservative immigration policy helped drive the Rwanda scheme, despite the party winning only 5 MPs in 2024.
True or False?
The SNP won more seats than Reform UK in the 2024 general election.
True.
The SNP won 9 MPs, compared with Reform UK's 5 MPs, despite Reform UK winning far more votes.
Define grassroots democracy.
Grassroots democracy is decision-making led from the bottom up, giving local members and communities real influence rather than concentrating power in party leaders.
By which year did the Green Party's 2024 manifesto pledge to reach Net Zero?
The Green Party's 2024 manifesto pledged to reach Net Zero by 2040.
In the 2024 general election, the Green Party won 1.8m votes and MPs.
In the 2024 general election, the Green Party won 1.8m votes and 4 MPs.
Define unionism.
Unionism is a political belief supporting the continued unity of the United Kingdom, opposing independence for nations like Scotland or Wales.
Which party's 2024 manifesto pledged to begin independence talks and rejoin the EU?
The SNP's 2024 manifesto pledged to begin independence talks and rejoin the EU.
Rising support for which party pushed the Conservatives to pledge an EU referendum in 2015?
Rising support for UKIP pushed the Conservatives to pledge an EU referendum in their 2015 manifesto.
Which Prime Minister's minority government did the DUP support through a 2017 confidence-and-supply agreement?
The DUP supported Theresa May's minority government through a 2017 confidence-and-supply agreement.
Define internationalism.
Internationalism is the belief that countries should cooperate closely with one another, recognising mutual interests and shared global challenges.
The DUP won 172,000 votes and MPs in the 2024 general election.
The DUP won 172,000 votes and 5 MPs in the 2024 general election.
Define party system.
A party system refers to the number of parties with a realistic chance of forming a government.
Which two parties have dominated UK government at Westminster for around 100 years?
Labour and the Conservatives have dominated UK government at Westminster for around 100 years.
The highly disproportionate 2024 result, where Labour and the Conservatives won 57% of the vote but 82% of the seats, is evidence the UK remains a system.
The highly disproportionate 2024 result, where Labour and the Conservatives won 57% of the vote but 82% of the seats, is evidence the UK remains a two-party system.
True or False?
Proportional electoral systems generally return two-party systems.
False.
Proportional systems generally return multi-party systems, while majoritarian and plurality systems tend to return two-party systems.
Define two-and-a-half party system.
A two-and-a-half party system is one where two parties have a realistic chance of forming a government, but a third party may act as a coalition partner.
How can smaller parties gain leverage in a multi-party system, as the Greens did in the 2007 Scottish Parliament?
Smaller parties can hold the balance of power, as the Greens did between Labour and the SNP in the 2007 Scottish Parliament.
What do political parties provide that encourages political participation?
Political parties provide genuine political choice, which encourages participation.
Define multi-party system.
A multi-party system is one where many parties have a realistic chance of forming government or being part of a governing coalition.
What does Labour winning 64% of seats on just 34% of the vote in 2024 illustrate about first-past-the-post?
It illustrates the disproportionality of first-past-the-post, which converted Labour's 34% vote share into 64% of seats in 2024.
True or False?
First-past-the-post favours major parties over smaller parties.
True.
FPTP favours major parties, whereas proportional representation favours smaller parties.
Define one-party system.
A one-party system is one where only one party has a realistic chance of forming government, dominating for extensive periods of time.
Why can media endorsement affect a party's electoral success, as shown by The Sun in 2024?
Media endorsement can shape voter perceptions; in 2024 The Sun backed Labour for the first time since 2005.

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