Outline the meaning of the term 'party system' as used in the UK. - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 1

The term 'party system' in the UK describes the organization and interaction between political parties, specifically focusing on how many parties are actively competing for power.

Firstly, the primary characteristic of a party system is the relationship between parties. This includes understanding which parties have realistic chances of attaining governmental power, which indicates the overall structure of political competition.

In the UK, there are several categorizations of party systems; however, the most prevalent is that of a 'two-party' system. This reflects a political landscape where two main parties predominantly vie for control, such as the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. While it is technically true that other parties exist, their influence in terms of winning power is considerably diminished.

Furthermore, alternative configurations such as one-party dominance and multi-party systems have also been noted in different contexts, especially regarding the UK's devolved assemblies. Overall, the party system can be influenced by electoral arrangements, including the First Past the Post (FPTP) system, which often leads to a two-party outcome.