Democracy and Political Parties

This debate on Political Parties is CLOSED

Political parties were, by far, the most dominant method of political organisation in twentieth century Britain and they remain central to the functioning of the democratic system. Yet their membership has dropped dramatically in recent decades and their relationship with the public is widely seen as being in crisis.

To consider the issue of political parties and their role in the democratic and political system, the Hansard Society has published a booklet Democracy and Political Parties.

Download and read the Democracy and Political Parties and debate the issues relating to political parties here, from Thursday 22 February.

Some of the main issues include:

  • Do political parties sufficiently reflect the views and aspirations of the public?
  • Why has membership of political parties dropped so rapidly?
  • What is the main image that comes across when you think of political parties?
  • Should parties make greater efforts to explain their work and role and how could this be achieved?
  • Should political parties make greater efforts to link with local community groups and civil society?
  • Is it accurate to say that the main parties are closer to each other in terms of policies than used to be the case and, if so, is this a negative or positive development?
  • Do you have personal experience of membership of political parties which sheds light on the issue?
  • What ideas do you have for changing political parties?

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Welcome to the Political Parties Debate!

Posted by Alex on 22/02/2007 - 09:27

Political parties, based on mass membership, have been the main form of political organisation in the UK for many decades. Many people now see them as being in crisis with falling membership and weakening connection to the public at large.

  • Do political parties sufficiently reflect the views and aspirations of the public?

  • Why has membership of political parties dropped so rapidly?
  • Is it accurate to say that the main parties are closer to each other in terms of policies than used to be the case and, if so, is this a negative or positive development?
  • What ideas do you have for changing political parties?

What do you think? We’re keen to hear your views, so please start posting!

With the rise of single

Posted by alesha on 01/03/2007 - 11:09

With the rise of single issue politics, and the perception that parties are only chasing the ‘median voter’, is it really a surprise that membership of parties is falling so rapidly?

When all parties compete for the same ground, and appear to reject the ideologies they used to be defined by (witness Cameron disassociating himself from Thatcher, or the rise and fall of New Labour, or the debates over the Lib Dem’s 50% top rate of tax) individuals can only put their faith in leaders – who can change at any moment, or change their opinions at any moment. Ideology is the glue that holds a party together and without it, there doesn’t seem any point in an individual joining one.

Parties can be changed

Posted by Rosie on 01/03/2007 - 17:26

There's no point in just bemoaning the fact that political parties have changed in ways we find unacceptable. Parties are made up of people and if people feel strongly enough about their own ideologies, they won't waste their time on single issue campaigns, they will organise to change the culture of their own political party.

After all, these days there are so few party members, it wouldn't take that many people to have an effect. Surely that's better than just whinging on the sidelines?

I have been a member of a

Posted by Paula on 29/03/2007 - 15:47

I have been a member of a political party for the past two years however I am not likely to renew my membership. My problem is that over the past two years I have never once been asked to contribute, help the local office or for my opinion. While I received constant emails regarding the parties policy stance on topical issues they never asked for feedback or action. I was also never notified of any meetings taking place or contacted by any other party members in my area (and my party holds the constituency).

I feel as though all I have received through membership is a subscription to a barrage of emails parroting what had already been said in the media.

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