Political Parties
The party system, which has existed since the
18th century, depends upon there being organised political groups,
each of which presents its policies to the electorate for
approval.
For the last 150 years, Great Britain has had a
predominantly two-party system
Most candidates in elections, and almost all
winning candidates, belong to one of the main parties.
For the last 150 years, Britain has had a
predominantly two-party system. Since 1945, either the Conservative
Party, whose origins go back to the 18th century, or the Labour
Party, which emerged in the last decade of the 19th century, has
held power. The Liberal Democrats were formed in 1988 when the
Liberal Party, which also traces its origins to the 18th century,
merged with the Social Democratic Party, which was founded in
1981.
Other parties include two national parties, Plaid
Cymru, the Party of Wales (founded in 1925), and the Scottish
National Party (founded in 1934). Northern Ireland has a number of
parties. They include the Ulster Unionists, formed in the early
part of the 20th century, the Democratic Unionists, founded in 1971
by a group that broke away from the Ulster Unionists, the Social
Democratic and Labour Party, founded in 1970, and Sinn Féin.
The party that wins most seats (although not
necessarily the most votes) at a General Election, or which has the
support of a majority of members in the House of Commons, usually
becomes the Government. By tradition, the Sovereign invites the
leader of that party to form a government.
About 100 members of the governing party in the
House of Commons and the House of Lords receive ministerial
appointments (including appointment to the Cabinet) on the advice
of the Prime Minister. The largest minority party becomes the
official Opposition, with its own leader and 'shadow cabinet'.