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Understanding the Ideologies and Policies of UK Political Parties: A Study on the Lib-Dems and Minor Parties

This activity enables participants to explore the origins, ideologies, and recent policy changes of the Liberal Democrats and various minor political parties in the UK. Students will sort cards summarizing party characteristics and analyze links and ideological differences between the Lib-Dems and other parties. The learning objectives include explaining Liberal Democrat origins, assessing key policies of minor parties, and evaluating the evolution of UK parties into 'catch-all' entities. Extension tasks encourage research into current policies and critical discussion regarding coalition governments.

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Understanding the Ideologies and Policies of UK Political Parties: A Study on the Lib-Dems and Minor Parties

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  1. starter activity You will be given a series of cards describing origins, ideologies & policies of the three major parties or minor parties. Sort them accordingly.  Can you see any links between the parties?

  2. What are the ideological differences between the parties? (Lib-Dems & other parties)  Learning objectives To be able to explain the origin, ideological characteristics and recent policy changes within the Lib Dems To be able to describe the key policies of a selection of minor parties To assess the extent to which UK parties have become ‘catch all’ parties

  3.  Your task • Read p.88-9 and note down the following in your table: • Origins and early history of the Lib-Dems • Party ideology • Recent developments • Extension. Can you spot any similarities between Lib-Dems and other political parties?

  4. Origins • Liber – means ‘free’ • Nineteenth century Liberalism – associated with freedom of individual, equality, govt by popular consent & tolerance • Modern day Lib-Dem Party – formed in 1988 with merger of Liberal Party & Social Democratic Party (SDP) William Gladstone, ‘Grand Old Man’ of Liberal politics

  5. Ideology • Early C20th – Labour adopted Liberal reforms, e.g. on National Insurance as part of Welfare State • Later C20th – New Right adopted Liberal principles on economy – promoting laissez faire and freedom from state intervention in business • Pro-European – supporters of Euro & closer integration

  6. Recent developments • Lib-Lab Pact – 1976-8, Liberal spokesmen consulted by Labour ministers on key legislation • Lib-Dems, 1988 - new party formed with members of Labour right (SDP) • Growth in support – distinctive policies, e.g. anti-war, tuition fees & pro-Europe, e.g. 2005 won 22% vote (62 MPs)

  7. Recent developments • Move to right – embracing market principles, traditional Conservative territory • Move to left – championing abolition of tuition fees & civil liberties issues, e.g. opposition to Anti-Terrorism legislation • Pragmatism – adoption of middle way in UK politics • Coalition government – criticism over compromises to manifesto pledges, allegations they lack mandate, e.g. increases to tuition top up fees

  8.  Extension task • Visit the Lib-Dem Party website and get the latest updates on Conservative policy on: • Education – tuition fees • Public services – spending review • Foreign policy – War in Afghanistan • Coalition government – find out how many & which Lib-Dems are part of the coalition govt

  9.  Your task • Imagine you are holding a press conference with Nick Clegg & Vince Cable. Choose someone to represent the above. The rest of you should think of appropriate questions to ask using your role cards.

  10.  Your task • Read p.89-90 and take notes on a selection of minor parties. • Extension. How has the role of these parties changed since the publication of your text book? Have their policies become more or less pertinent?

  11.  Homework • Now have a go at Q3 (a-c) of the January 2010 paper. Write your previous targets at the top of your paper

  12.  Plenary • Liberalism? • Success since WWII? • Coalition govt? • Extension. Do you think the Coalition Government lacks a clear mandate? Student protests against plans to increase tuition fees, London, November 2010

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