Political Parties

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 600.

Political parties first emerged in Britain at the end of the 17^th century. The Conservative and Liberal Parties are the oldest, and until the end of the 19^th century they were the only parties elected to the House of Commons.

The main British political groupings now are the Conservative Party, of more than 3 million members, and the Labour Party, of more than 6 million members. Besides, there is the party of Liberal Democrats, of about 7 million members.

The Conservative Party is often called the Tory Party. Today the Tory Party is that of big business, industry, commerce and landowners. Most of the money needed to run the party comes from large firms and companies. The party represents those who believe in private enterprise. The Conservative Party is the most powerful and is often called a party of business directors.

The Labour Party was founded in 1906 by the trade unions. The Labour Party's structure is in most ways like the Conservatives', but big differences arise from Labour's attempts to give much more real power to trade unions and ordinary members.

In 1988 the Liberal Party made an alliance with Social Democrats, and the party of Liberal Democrats was formed. Liberal Democrats are strongly associated* with their policies for better education, environmental protection and constitutional reform to guarantee individual freedom.

Among other parties of the UK there are nationalist parties from Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.