Party System in Great Britain

Since the 18^th century there is a two-party system in Britain when the conflicting groups within Parliament formed opposing parties known as the Tories and Whigs. The two-party system means that one party is in power, the other - in opposition. Now they are the Conservativeand the Labour Parties. Political parties exist to promote the interests and ideas of particular classes and groups of the society. So do the parties in Britain today.

The Conservative party emerged to defend the interests of big, reactionary landowners who supported the King (Charles I) in his struggle with Parliament, of the conservative gentry and the clergy of the Church of England. They were called Tories, as the name meant Irish thief.

The other group consisted of merchants and those landowners linked with commerce and the Scottish Presbyterians who helped then to win in the civil war against the King. They were called Whiggmores, or outlaws, and this name was shortened to Whigs, a term which lasted into the 19^th century but is forgotten now. The Whigs formed the Liberal Party.

By the middle of the 19^th century the Tory Party was split. The old force of landowners and the newly growing aristocracy among the capitalists and financists were united in the new party.

Today the Conservative Party is the party of the Right, identified with the idea of economic freedom and mainly with the idea of resistance to change.

The aims of the Party are:

- to uphold religion,

- to maintain defence forces,

- to provide freedom and opportunity by supporting free enterprise and initiative against socialist system of state-trading and nationalization,

- to encourage wider spread of ownership of property,

- to improve standards of life,

- to promote better health,

- to give greater educational opportunities.

The Conservative Party has successfully portrayed itself as the party of patriotism. It is supported by the wealthier classes, receiving much money from major business and financial institutions.

The Labour Party is less disciplined but more democratic, with more open disagreements between the leadership and other party members. Labour is the party of social justice. It tends to put the collective wellbeing of society above individual freedom.

The Labour Party was founded outside Parliament, stimulated by work of trade unions in 1900. At its first stages the party collaborated with the Liberal Party making an unofficial alliance with it which was known as “Lib. Lab” policy. This collaboration lasted till the Labour Party itself was strong enough to become one of the main Parliamentary parties.

Its central idea has been the brotherhood of men:

- it has rejected discrimination on grounds of race or colour,

- it has defended the right of all people to freedom, independence and selfgovernment,

- it has supported the work for world disarmament,

- it stood for social justice and the creation of the socialist community with a classless society and with planned economy.

- it claims to obtain and hold power only through free democratic institutions, by reforms.

The party comprises collective members which are trade unions, small parties, different social organizations and groups. The Labour Government undertook some steps to improve the life of the working people. In the 1960s it increased old-age pensions, abolished fees for some medical services, introduced comprehensive schools and nationalized some important industries.

Officially the Liberal Party was formed in 1877. In that time the party represented the trading and manufacturing classes. For long period the liberals had a parliamentary majority. While in power they introduced a number of reforms and innovations including free elementary education.

After the World War I the Liberal Party was growing weaker, many representatives of the working class were leaving the liberals. It declined rapidly as a parliamentary force, its place was taken by Labour Party which has become an opposition and alternative government to the conservatives.

In 1981 a new party was formed to try to break the dominance of the Conservative and Labour Parties. The Liberal Democratic Party aims to build a liberal democratic society in which every citizen shall possess liberty, property and security and none shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.

Today the electoral results show division in the people’s support of the parties. The Labour Party is supported by Wales, Scotland and North England. Those are people concerned with survival and security, they are people of lower incomes (about 30%). The Conservatives are supported by South England. Those are people ambitious for success, wealth or power, for whom outward appearances are important (about 34%). The supporters of the Liberal Democratic Party are people who are concerned with personal development and individual freedom, with strong personal motivation such as concern about word ecology, nuclear power or weapons, or civil liberties (36%).

QUESTIONS FOT CONTROL:

1. What can you say about attitude of English people to politics?

2. Do English people have an identity card?

3. Is referendum an important way of making decision in the UK?

4. When was a Constitution in Britain adopted?

5. What is the Civil List used for?

6. Is Parliament the main legislative or executive body?

7. Name two parts of the Parliament.

8. How does the House of Commons work?

9. What are the functions of the Speaker?

10. Who can be the member of the House of Lords?

11. How do the elections to the Parliament take place?

12. What procedures are necessary for a bill to become a law?

13. What are the functions of Government and ministers?

14. What political parties do exist now and what are their functions?

15. What political party is on power now?