NationStates Jolt Archive


The Idiot's Guide to the British Election

New British Glory
12-04-2005, 02:25
The Conservative Party Essentially the right wing party although they tend to be far more moderate than the American definition of Conservatism. They are the second biggest party in the UK at this moment and are recognised as Her Majesties Official Opposition. The Conservative Party (sometimes known as the Tory Party after a centuries old nick name) is the most sucessful British political party, having dominated the last two centuries in terms of government. Notable leaders include Sir Robert Peel (creator of the police force), Benjamin Disraeli, Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. They were defeated in the 1997 election in a land side from which they have not yet recovered.

They are currently lead by Michael Howard, formerly Home Secretary under John Major's administration. Their current policies are:

Reduce public spending for tax cuts - The Tories claim that the government is wasting too much public money on layers of burecracy and so plan to cut a large sum from public spending. They claim that this cut will simply reduce the burecracy rather than effect the actual numbers of ground staff.

Introduce immigration quotes and border police - The Tories say that immigration is out of control to the extent it is now a security risk. They wish to propose a quota on all immigrants except UN approved refugees. They also want a border police to ensure order and prevent illegal aslyum.

They wish to offer people the choice of whether to go private or public with their health care - If people wish to go private with their health care, the Tories have promised to pay 50% of the overall cost

Matrons to combat MRSA - The Tories wish to appoint matrons to control hospital wards rather than leaving them in the hands of privatised cleaners and nurses.

Europe - The Tories keep their distance from Europe. The majority of the party is anti EU but there is a significant proportion that are pro EU. If the Tories denounce the EU they could face a severe rebellion.

Prevention of gypsies Apparently they cause crime and distress while not fearing the law because the Human Rights Act makes it illegal for them to be removed. The Tories are promising to make the Human Rights Act apply to these people so they can be moved and brought to justice. The Tories are also reviewing the Human Rights Act

Thats them in a nut shell.

The Labour Party - The Labour Party was established at the beginning of the 20th Century as the first socialist party in the UK. It attracted large amounts of the working classes and it was in 1930s they took over the Liberal Party and became the second largest British party. Although they have always been socialist, when Tony Blair was made leader he took the party much closer to the centre in order to appeal to more middle class voters. The plan worked, leading to massive victory in 1997, giving Labour a 3 figure majority in the House of Commons. They are currently the government. Notable leaders include Clement Attlee and....Tony Blair. They are led by Tony Blair but there is considerable disunity between himself and his Chancellor, Gordon Brown, a powerful Old Labourite of the socialist variety.

Maintain taxes Labour is extremely proud of the economy - under its rule, Britain has become the second most prosperous country in the EU. In order to do that they wish to maintain public spending rates and that means taxes may remain the same although many believe that Labour plan to push taxes up next election.

Reform of the House of Lords and the judiciary Labour have been attempting this for the last 8 years and are still promising it. They wish to remove all hereditary peers from the House of Lords (the second legislative chamber) and they also wish to abolish the post of Lord Chancellor (head of the judiciary) in order to reduce conflict with the theory of the Seperation of Powers.

Europe Most of the Labour Party are considerably pro EU but there are powerful minorities would dislike it and could rebel over it.

Decentralisation The Labour Party have been attempting to push for decentralisation for many years of their term. They have built Regional Assemblies in the south and in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Tutition Fees These add an extra £1000 on to student fees per year

And thats them in a nutshell

The Liberal Democrats The effective third party. This party has its orgins in the age old Liberal Party which was made from moderate liberals to left wing radicals. However in the early 1920s they were voted out for the last time and have never been voted back in. In the 1980s, they formed a union with the more recent Socialist Democrats and became what they are today, the Liberal Democrats. This is a fusion of socialist and liberal policies. Notable leaders include William Gladstone, Herbert Asquith and David Llyod George. They are currently led by Charles Kennedy but there is often behind the scenes disunity between the Liberal and the Socialist sections of the party.

Abolish Council Tax This tax, they say, hits the eldery too hard and should be replaced with a more fair, means based tax.

Carry on the legalisation process The Lib Dems wish to proceed with legalising certain Class C drugs (Cannabis for example)

Anti ID card They are against the ID cards unlike Labour or the Tories as they say they are ineffective and limit personal liberties.

University for Free They propose that the cost of university should lie 100% on the tax payer rather than the student

Tax increases on the rich The Lib Dems propose to increase taxation on all of those who earn over a certain amount of money

And thats them in a nutshell.

As of yesterday morning, YouGov (a poll) placed the main three parties as follows:
36% Labour
36% Conservative
20% Lib Dem

Other polls have shown similar results so far. It could be a close one, with the Tories picking up points with hot topics like immigration while Labour are having problems with their advertising and also having problems portraying the Prime Minister and the Chancellor as united. The Lib Dems have been quiet over the last few weeks but are promising a positive campaign, which can only add to their general image of intergrity. The Labour Party are still suffering the lashback from the Iraq war.

Minor Parties
The Green Party - Environmentally friendly politics
UK Independence Party - No involvement with the EU
Plaid Cymuru - Welsh national party who want independence for Wales
Scottish Nationalist Party - Scotland is for the Scots say they
The British Nationalist Party - Far right wing party with severely racist tendancies
The National Front - Like the BNP only more violent and racist than ever
The British Communist Party - Need I say more?
The Natural Law Party - I am not sure....
Veritas - The Party of popular TV personality, Robert Kilroy Silk fired from the BBC last year for making xenophobic comments to a newspaper
Respect! - The Party of George Galloway, former Labour MP who was accused by the Daily Telegraph of betraying British secrets to Saddam Hussein. Was later cleared but Labour had thrown him out by then.
The Purple Party - The Party of the TV home decorator, Lawrence Llyweyn Bowen

The main ones are the BNP, The Green Party, the SNP, Plaid Cymuru and UKIP.
New British Glory
12-04-2005, 02:35
And bump
Bodies Without Organs
12-04-2005, 02:36
Looks interesting for those not familiar with UK politics, but you left out several of the minor parties which actually hold seats in the House of Commons: the Democratic Unionist Party, Ulster Unionist Party, Sinn Fein (although they haven't technically taken their seats, they were still elected to them) and the Social Democratic and Labour Party.
Soviet Narco State
12-04-2005, 02:38
What happened to the Socialist alliance?
Myrth
12-04-2005, 02:39
Matrons to combat MRSA - The Tories wish to appoint matrons to control hospital wards rather than leaving them in the hands of privatised cleaners and nurses.


Just think it's necessary to point out that it was Thatcher who privatised the hospital cleaning service in the first place.
Keruvalia
12-04-2005, 02:39
As a representative of the Peoples Front of Judea, I say you're all splitters!

Anyway, very informative! This should stickied during elections. :)
Myrth
12-04-2005, 02:41
The BBC has a poll tracker up currently giving Labour 38% to the Tories' 33%.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2005/polltracker/html/default.stm
New British Glory
12-04-2005, 02:43
The BBC has a poll tracker up currently giving Labour 38% to the Tories' 33%.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2005/polltracker/html/default.stm

Depends to what extent you trust polls. In the end, the result can be precisely the opposite of what every poll and expert says - look at the 1945 election for instance.
Mystic Mindinao
12-04-2005, 02:45
Thanks for the guide. I'm a novice in British politics, and I loved that little guide.
As for the natural law party, I believe it is the same as the one in the US. It was founded by a Hindu priest that moved to the US from India a few years back. They are basically a party of new age hippies, and they briefly had power in 2000 with their own national candidate. The party has since fallen dramatically, but it is now pushing for the idea of a one-world government. It even has offices in New York to administer this government.
Bloodthirsty squirrels
12-04-2005, 02:49
Very interesting. I have one question though. What happens if none of the parties has absolute majority. A coalition?
New British Glory
12-04-2005, 02:57
Very interesting. I have one question though. What happens if none of the parties has absolute majority. A coalition?

Yes, a coalition would take place. Many people are suspecting a hung parliament because the parties are very close this time around. However the Liberal Democrats (who would hold the balance of power) categorically have ruled out forming a coalition with either main party. This could mean that the government could be brought down within months and another general election would have to be called.
New British Glory
12-04-2005, 02:59
I shall re post this closer to the event itself. I shall probably issue it with another thread about British politics in general.
Mystic Mindinao
12-04-2005, 02:59
I have two questions. First, do any of those minor parties, like UKIP or the Greens, have seats in Parliament right now? And secondly, do you know what geographic and demographic constituencies favor which party?
Bodies Without Organs
12-04-2005, 03:05
I have two questions. First, do any of those minor parties, like UKIP or the Greens, have seats in Parliament right now?

Here's the figures from the last election (2001):


Labour Party - 408
Conservative Party - 161
Liberal Democrats - 55
Democratic Unionist Party - 7
Scottish National Party - 5
Ulster Unionist Party - 5
Plaid Cymru - 4
Sinn Féin - 4
Social Democratic and Labour Party - 3
RESPECT The Unity Coalition - 1
Independent - 2

There may have been a couple of seat changes as a result of by-elections since then, but this at least gives a general idea of the make-up of the Commons.
Mystic Mindinao
12-04-2005, 03:09
Here's the figures from the last election (2001):


Labour Party - 408
Conservative Party - 161
Liberal Democrats - 55
Democratic Unionist Party - 7
Scottish National Party - 5
Ulster Unionist Party - 5
Plaid Cymru - 4
Sinn Féin - 4
Social Democratic and Labour Party - 3
RESPECT The Unity Coalition - 1
Independent - 2

There may have been a couple of seat changes as a result of by-elections since then, but this at least gives a general idea of the make-up of the Commons.
Quite a colorful makeup. Thanks.
Constitutionals
12-04-2005, 03:13
The Conservative Party Essentially the right wing party although they tend to be far more moderate than the American definition of Conservatism. They are the second biggest party in the UK at this moment and are recognised as Her Majesties Official Opposition. The Conservative Party (sometimes known as the Tory Party after a centuries old nick name) is the most sucessful British political party, having dominated the last two centuries in terms of government. Notable leaders include Sir Robert Peel (creator of the police force), Benjamin Disraeli, Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. They were defeated in the 1997 election in a land side from which they have not yet recovered.

They are currently lead by Michael Howard, formerly Home Secretary under John Major's administration. Their current policies are:

Reduce public spending for tax cuts - The Tories claim that the government is wasting too much public money on layers of burecracy and so plan to cut a large sum from public spending. They claim that this cut will simply reduce the burecracy rather than effect the actual numbers of ground staff.

Introduce immigration quotes and border police - The Tories say that immigration is out of control to the extent it is now a security risk. They wish to propose a quota on all immigrants except UN approved refugees. They also want a border police to ensure order and prevent illegal aslyum.

They wish to offer people the choice of whether to go private or public with their health care - If people wish to go private with their health care, the Tories have promised to pay 50% of the overall cost

Matrons to combat MRSA - The Tories wish to appoint matrons to control hospital wards rather than leaving them in the hands of privatised cleaners and nurses.

Europe - The Tories keep their distance from Europe. The majority of the party is anti EU but there is a significant proportion that are pro EU. If the Tories denounce the EU they could face a severe rebellion.

Prevention of gypsies Apparently they cause crime and distress while not fearing the law because the Human Rights Act makes it illegal for them to be removed. The Tories are promising to make the Human Rights Act apply to these people so they can be moved and brought to justice. The Tories are also reviewing the Human Rights Act

Thats them in a nut shell.

The Labour Party - The Labour Party was established at the beginning of the 20th Century as the first socialist party in the UK. It attracted large amounts of the working classes and it was in 1930s they took over the Liberal Party and became the second largest British party. Although they have always been socialist, when Tony Blair was made leader he took the party much closer to the centre in order to appeal to more middle class voters. The plan worked, leading to massive victory in 1997, giving Labour a 3 figure majority in the House of Commons. They are currently the government. Notable leaders include Clement Attlee and....Tony Blair. They are led by Tony Blair but there is considerable disunity between himself and his Chancellor, Gordon Brown, a powerful Old Labourite of the socialist variety.

Maintain taxes Labour is extremely proud of the economy - under its rule, Britain has become the second most prosperous country in the EU. In order to do that they wish to maintain public spending rates and that means taxes may remain the same although many believe that Labour plan to push taxes up next election.

Reform of the House of Lords and the judiciary Labour have been attempting this for the last 8 years and are still promising it. They wish to remove all hereditary peers from the House of Lords (the second legislative chamber) and they also wish to abolish the post of Lord Chancellor (head of the judiciary) in order to reduce conflict with the theory of the Seperation of Powers.

Europe Most of the Labour Party are considerably pro EU but there are powerful minorities would dislike it and could rebel over it.

Decentralisation The Labour Party have been attempting to push for decentralisation for many years of their term. They have built Regional Assemblies in the south and in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Tutition Fees These add an extra £1000 on to student fees per year

And thats them in a nutshell

The Liberal Democrats The effective third party. This party has its orgins in the age old Liberal Party which was made from moderate liberals to left wing radicals. However in the early 1920s they were voted out for the last time and have never been voted back in. In the 1980s, they formed a union with the more recent Socialist Democrats and became what they are today, the Liberal Democrats. This is a fusion of socialist and liberal policies. Notable leaders include William Gladstone, Herbert Asquith and David Llyod George. They are currently led by Charles Kennedy but there is often behind the scenes disunity between the Liberal and the Socialist sections of the party.

Abolish Council Tax This tax, they say, hits the eldery too hard and should be replaced with a more fair, means based tax.

Carry on the legalisation process The Lib Dems wish to proceed with legalising certain Class C drugs (Cannabis for example)

Anti ID card They are against the ID cards unlike Labour or the Tories as they say they are ineffective and limit personal liberties.

University for Free They propose that the cost of university should lie 100% on the tax payer rather than the student

Tax increases on the rich The Lib Dems propose to increase taxation on all of those who earn over a certain amount of money

And thats them in a nutshell.

As of yesterday morning, YouGov (a poll) placed the main three parties as follows:
36% Labour
36% Conservative
20% Lib Dem

Other polls have shown similar results so far. It could be a close one, with the Tories picking up points with hot topics like immigration while Labour are having problems with their advertising and also having problems portraying the Prime Minister and the Chancellor as united. The Lib Dems have been quiet over the last few weeks but are promising a positive campaign, which can only add to their general image of intergrity. The Labour Party are still suffering the lashback from the Iraq war.

Minor Parties
The Green Party - Environmentally friendly politics
UK Independence Party - No involvement with the EU
Plaid Cymuru - Welsh national party who want independence for Wales
Scottish Nationalist Party - Scotland is for the Scots say they
The British Nationalist Party - Far right wing party with severely racist tendancies
The National Front - Like the BNP only more violent and racist than ever
The British Communist Party - Need I say more?
The Natural Law Party - I am not sure....
Veritas - The Party of popular TV personality, Robert Kilroy Silk fired from the BBC last year for making xenophobic comments to a newspaper
Respect! - The Party of George Galloway, former Labour MP who was accused by the Daily Telegraph of betraying British secrets to Saddam Hussein. Was later cleared but Labour had thrown him out by then.
The Purple Party - The Party of the TV home decorator, Lawrence Llyweyn Bowen

The main ones are the BNP, The Green Party, the SNP, Plaid Cymuru and UKIP.



Nice guide. Thank you for educating a ignorant Yank.
Bhutane
12-04-2005, 11:10
And Plaid Cymru aren't strictly nationalist, they campaign for more power to be taken to Wales. Most of their social policies are quite left/liberal and similar to the Greens and Lib Dems.
Nadkor
12-04-2005, 11:13
i was going to point out that you missed the 4th, 5th=, 7th and 8th biggest parties (in terms of MPs...DUP, UUP, Sinn Fein and the SDLP), but Bodies Without Organs got there first
Choo-Choo Bear
12-04-2005, 11:42
Thanks.
On the news all I see is a competition between Labour and the Conservatives, and it's like... who does one support? Labour is like all the conservative parties around the world, and the Conservatives are even more. But seeing the democratic socialists up quite high gives hope... even if they are unlikely to get in, they hold a pretty massive balance of power.
Taverham high
12-04-2005, 12:29
impressive, new british glory, for being thorough and only slightly biased.
Kellarly
12-04-2005, 12:34
impressive, new british glory, for being thorough and only slightly biased.

True, considering his political leanings, i thought he did very nicely, he didn't even make the LD's look bad ;) :p
Refused Party Program
12-04-2005, 12:40
he didn't even make the LD's look bad ;) :p

He doesn't need to. They do a rather good job at that themselves.
Taldaan
12-04-2005, 12:44
Isn't it strange how Michael Howard is constantly attacking Britain's "yob culture" while at the same time pandering to them by attacking anyone non-white and non-British. Tougher immigration laws? Crackdown on travellers/gypsies? Drawing away from the EU?

Meanwhile, they are claiming an ability to lower taxes while introducing border police and immigration control, hospital matrons, and paying for people to have private healthcare without laying off any government staff.

All this, and threatening to repeal the human rights act if they acheive power? What a great party... :rolleyes:
Kellarly
12-04-2005, 12:48
He doesn't need to. They do a rather good job at that themselves.

Lol, well the others do just as good a job so tis all good :D
E B Guvegrra
12-04-2005, 12:50
Thanks.
On the news all I see is a competition between Labour and the Conservatives, and it's like... who does one support? Labour is like all the conservative parties around the world, and the Conservatives are even more. But seeing the democratic socialists up quite high gives hope... even if they are unlikely to get in, they hold a pretty massive balance of power.On a party basis (in other circumstances but similar mind), I'd choose Labour or Lib Dems over Conservative, and probably wander towards the Lib Dems in a situation (like I have) where these two are the main local parties.

That said, I'm more won over by our (Labour) MP, who has had a recent rocky patch that may have hit his popularity, and thus I'm drawn to supporting him. Personality beats Party politics or even leadership, in my book (I also prefer Blair to Howard, but that's the Tory's for you... ;)) After all, the leadership, and even the party itself can change dramatically, for better or worse, but at least the person I (hopefully) vote to put in parliament can skew things the way I want. (He could defect to another party/go independant if his party gets too incompatible, though I doubt that'll happen in this one's case.)

On personality, I'd even vote for Boris Johnson, if I were in his constituency (how can you not vote for Boris? :)), despite him being True Blue, though it'd be a close call if I also had to decide between Boris and a representative of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party. (And again, not because of the party, but because anyone running for the OMRLP is almost certainly going to be, by default, someone I'd vote for regardless of their party, all else being equal... ;))
Volvo Villa Vovve
12-04-2005, 12:51
Well if the New British Glory guide is correct I would almost vote for the liberals if I lived in the UK (if they didn't support the conservatives of course). Because there seem to be more left then labor. It just show that condition the socialdemorcats is in the UK:(
Tomas Katz
12-04-2005, 13:17
RESPECT The Unity Coalition - 1


Gorgeous George?
Whispering Legs
12-04-2005, 14:09
I still need an explanation of how Tony Blair can (at least to me) appear as right-wing as George Bush, yet he represents the Labour Party.
Kellarly
12-04-2005, 14:13
I still need an explanation of how Tony Blair can (at least to me) appear as right-wing as George Bush, yet he represents the Labour Party.

Due to the getting rid of Clause 4 (IIRC) in the labour party charter which allowed them to begin to swing right and not to "Stick to the ideals of socialism".
Whispering Legs
12-04-2005, 14:36
Due to the getting rid of Clause 4 (IIRC) in the labour party charter which allowed them to begin to swing right and not to "Stick to the ideals of socialism".
That's one hell of a swing.
Hado-Kusanagi
12-04-2005, 14:42
A very good description for anyone not familiar with the parties. One thing I might add to the Labour description is the strong trade union link from its very beginnings, that has decreased in the last few decades as the trade unions weakened.
Kellarly
12-04-2005, 14:53
That's one hell of a swing.

Yup it is, but it got him and his party into power, so the swing worked to that extent.
Bodies Without Organs
12-04-2005, 14:53
Gorgeous George?

That's the bunny.