2.4.1 Evolution of Multi-Party System and Impact

The Development of a Multi-Party System and Its Implications for Government

The multi-party system in the UK has evolved significantly, moving away from the traditional dominance of the Conservative and Labour parties. Understanding this development and its implications is crucial for analyzing contemporary British politics.

Development of a Multi-Party System

Historical Context:

• Post-War Era: The UK was traditionally characterized by a two-party system, dominated by the Conservative Party and the Labour Party.

• 1970s Onwards: The emergence of other parties, such as the Liberal Democrats (formed from the merger of the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party in 1988), began to challenge this duopoly. Electoral System:

• First-Past-The-Post (FPTP): The UK's FPTP electoral system tends to favor larger parties, making it difficult for smaller parties to gain representation in Parliament. Despite this, regional and issue-based parties have gained traction. Rise of Regional and Nationalist Parties:

• Scottish National Party (SNP): The SNP has grown significantly, becoming the dominant party in Scotland. In the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections, the SNP won 64 of 129 seats, just one short of an overall majority. This however reduced to 9 seats in the 2024 General Election.

• Plaid Cymru: Representing Welsh interests, Plaid Cymru has also seen growth, particularly in the Welsh Senedd (Parliament). Emergence of New Parties:

• Green Party: Increasing concerns about the environment have bolstered the Green Party's support, especially in local elections, gaining 4 seats in 2024.

• UK Independence Party (UKIP) and Brexit Party: These parties gained significant support in the 2010s, influencing the UK's stance on the EU and ultimately contributing to Brexit.

• Liberal Democrats: Despite fluctuating fortunes, they remain an influential third party, particularly in local government and in certain parliamentary seats. The Liberal Democrats did exceptionally well in the 2024 election, earning 72 seats.

• Reform UK: Reform UK, the Party of Nigel Farage emerged in the 2024 General Election, winning an outstanding 14.3% of the vote share, winning 5 seats in total. Recent Trends:

• 2019 General Election: While the Conservatives and Labour still dominated, other parties like the SNP, Liberal Democrats, and Greens increased their vote shares, reflecting the growing diversity in political representation.

• 2021 Local Elections: The success of smaller parties and independents highlighted the increasing fragmentation of UK politics.

• 2024 General Election: In 2024, the Liberal Democrats increased their seats to 72, gaining the seats from several Conservative strongholds such as Chichester.

Implications for Government

Coalition and Minority Governments:

• Coalitions: The 2010-2015 Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government was a direct result of no single party achieving an overall majority, marking a significant shift from single-party dominance.

• Minority Governments: The 2017-2019 Conservative government operated as a minority government, relying on the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) for support, demonstrating the complexities of governing without a clear majority. Policy Influence and Compromise:

• Broader Representation: A multi-party system allows for a wider range of views to be represented in Parliament, leading to more comprehensive policy debates.

• Compromise and Negotiation: Governments may need to negotiate with smaller parties to pass legislation, leading to more moderated and inclusive policymaking.

Electoral Volatility:

• Changing Alliances: Voters have more choices, leading to greater electoral volatility and less predictable election outcomes.

Challenges for Major Parties:

• Adaptation: Major parties need to adapt their strategies and policies to attract a broader coalition of voters.

Impact on Governance:

• Governance Complexity: Multi-party dynamics can complicate governance, requiring more negotiation and consensus-building.

Devolution and Regionalism:

• Regional Autonomy: The rise of regional parties like the SNP and Plaid Cymru has intensified calls for greater regional autonomy and devolution.

Brexit

• Whilst minor parties are unlikely to get into government, they are able to influence policy and keep government to account.