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 constitutional government.

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 perform the 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

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 the emergence 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)

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 own income 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

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 the traditional 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

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 party discipline is severely dealt with even 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 security of 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

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:

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 be submitted 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 elections as 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

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

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 and security 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

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 economic programme combines within its fold, features of both free economy and socialist economy. its aviods barcket itself with any particular ideology, hence adopts moderates policies.