Revision Update: UK Politics: Exemplar Answer: Functions of Political Parties

Discuss the view that parties no longer fulfil their functions?Turnout at the recent Police Commissioners elections was at a record low level of c15%. As the candidates were based upon party labels this might suggest that political parties are failing to fulfil their function of participation. However, a quick glance at Westminster reveals that parties still remain critical to the operation of UK government and politics.Parties no longer fulfil the function of participation. Pressure groups such as 38degrees and the RSPB have more members than all the political parties put together. The notion then that parties can aggregate the interests of the public no longer holds true. Membership of all the parties has fallen from over 1m in the 1950s to less than 200, 000 today for both the Conservatives and the Labour Party. The liberal Democrats have suffered an even greater decline since they joined the Conservatives in 2010 in the coalition government. Were it not for the backing of private donors (The City for the Conservatives and unions for Labour) and some state funding, the parties would be in terminal decline.

By the same token, this fall in membership hinders the ability of parties to fulfil their representative function. Without an active membership they are unable to formulate policies which reflect their members concerns. There is a well-established view as suggested by McKenzie and Michels’ iron law of oligarchy, that the parties are not democratic organisations. Parties are dominated by the leadership. Policy forums may give the appearance of grassroots’ involvement but ultimately it is the leadership that calls the shots and determines policy. Thus parties can be said to fail to fulfil their representative function.

The convergence of the parties also means that parties fail to provide ideological choice. The emergence of newLabour and more recently Blue Labour when coupled with compassionate Conservatism as advocated by Cameron, means that many believe that the parties are essentially the same. They differ in their managerial style rather than in terms of ideology and policy. Labour would introduce similar spending cuts but over a longer time period illustrates this particular point.

Dealignment has meant that the number of strong identifiers has declined and the ability of parties to mobilise the vote has declined as a consequence. Even in general elections, turnouts of 59% in 2001 and 61% in 2001 illustrate another failing of political parties.

However, parties still play a critical role in elections and government. It was the parties that provided the candidates for the recent Police commissioners’ elections and all elections be it for the European Parliament, local government or Westminster. It is the parties that recruit and train candidates and many of those chosen go on to senior positions in government. Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Bradford South, started as a local councillor.

The governmental and opposition functions of parties are clearly observed when one looks at Westminster politics. Indeed party politics arguably plays too great a role. From Prime Minister’s questions to Departmental Select Committees and Public Bill Committees, the influence of parties is pervasive. The use of party whips ensures strict party discipline is rigidly applied creating what Lord Hailsham called an “elective dictatorship”. At every opportunity H.M. Opposition will try and hold the government to account and expose failings in policy. On rare occasions, such as recently over the EU budget, the Opposition may be even able to inflict a government defeat. Without party discipline the coalition government would crumble.

The activities of parties also play an educative and informative function. Parties can present their policies in manifestos and the reporting of debates and conferences helps the electorate be aware of developments and alternative policy approaches. In any democracy, education is vital in order to ensure that the electorate can make informed choices at election time. The TV debates between the party leaders at the 2010 election illustrate how this function can be fulfilled. Posters, campaigns and leaflets too also highlight how the parties can fulfil this function.

There can be little dispute that parties are not the force they were. They face massive issues in the areas of membership and finance. In any respects, they have been eclipsed by pressure groups who it could be argued have become the new channel for participation and representation. At governmental level however parties retain a monopoly of power. Independent candidates such as Martin Bell in the past stand little prospect of electoral success. Galloway needed the Respect party, Lucas needed the Green party. Consequently, whilst some functions are in decline, others remain as vibrant and as important as ever.