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Summary Explain and evaluate three functions of UK political parties (9 marks)
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Explain and evaluate three functions of UK political parties (9 marks)Traditionally, representation was the most significant function of a UK political party. Post
war, representation was the value of recognising the countries money division especially
during the 1970s to 1980s during a financial crisis which saw the lowest employments rates
as well as job cuts, prior to the Thatcher era, James Callaghan (Labour Prime Minister from
1976-1979) gained popularity due to his humble backgrounds as a boy who lived in a council
estate in Portsmouth and his inability to go to university just to fees, and was willing to
represent the working class and the country’s poverty by introducing instruments to
financially aid the poor. However, modernly the Conservative party has lost support due to its
aid of the rich (businesses) and ‘punishment’ of the poor (2020 school meal crisis.) To
represent our modern society, would mean to represent civilians individual voices in the
black community (3.3% of the UK’s population), Asian community (7.5%), women (50.59%),
the LGBTQ+ (69.4%) community as well as other diversity’s that make up the country’s
population rather than the white Christian males who have always had a dominant voice.
63% of Labour leaders are ethnic whilst the Conservatives only have 34%. In 2017, the main
two parties grew more diverse due to the public’s outcry. Many would argue that
representation is a parties most significant function as it is what generally attracts support
from voters who feel represented and reflected through a party's policies. In 2021, they’re
has been a dramatic increase in spiking of women at clubs through alcohol or syndringe,
both main parties have not recognised the issue despite the fear it is installing in young
women. A positive representation would be to restore faith in those women and stand with
them in support.
Political engagement is a very important function as it establishes involvement in the people
which encourages a balanced turn out. A functioning party needs politician engagement to
ensure support from voters by gaining their support, interest and having their appreciation at
mind. Political engagement commonly is a sign of promotional and campaign success, and
the adaptations of social media only further encourages engagement as it creates direct
content between a party and a voter. Youths have typically evolved with this adaption and
have expressed a more political nature online, with Teresa May, Jeremy Corbin and David
Cameron recurring being subject to hate and online criticism. Prime minister, Boris Johnson,
has tried to embrace online engagement by attempting (and successfully) making himself a
‘meme’ in hopes of creating a likeability to both himself as well as the Conservative party
(which as a result, has only contributed to the inability of many to take him and his politics
seriously.) Political engagement can ruin a party, however done correctly, will highly benefit a
party and its success therefore, arguably making it the most significant function. Politician
engagement is the opportunity to add personality to your part as well as closely identify
yourself with the voters.
Another, most generic function is stability. A party requires stability to enable respect as well
as applaudable opportunities. John Callaghan’s unstable party (in which he did not get along
with) was questionably his downfall as instead of focusing on his role, he was focusing on
appeasing his party who did not have faith in him. This example shows that stability ensures
and guarantees a functioning party as without stability there is no balance. A party requires
stability or otherwise a party would be defined arguably by power rather than change.
Stability is essential to create a direction and a focus for a party. Stability is essential to
create a functioning and respected party.
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