Сharacterize the major political parties in the UK (Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats and other)

Great Britain has a parliamentary government based on the party system. When the political parties began to form in the 18th century certain distinguished persons emerged as leaders. Sir Robert Walpole who headed the Government from 1721 to 1742 is generally regarded as the first Prime Minister. However, there was no clearly defined office as such nor was the Cabinet constituted as it is today.

English political institutions have grown from experience and need. The former executive powers of the Sovereign in the early Privy Council were transferred to a Prime Minister and a Cabinet.

The growth of political parties in England was as gradual and unintentional as other changes in the government. Before the 17th century, there were rival groups of nobles who might struggle for power, as in the Wars of the Roses (1455-85) and there were adherents of different religious principles, but there were no political parties in the modern sense.

During the Civil War (1640-60) the division between the aristocratic supporters of the Anglican Church who fought for the King, and the middle-class Puritans who took the side of Parliament, reflected a difference in religious and political principles, as well as economic interests which prepared the way for future party distinctions. With the restoration of monarchy (1660) these two groups were nicknamed, respectively, as the Tory squires who continued to uphold the authority of the King and the Whig nobles with Protestant and mercantile classes. In the 19th century the two-party system reached its solid modern form. By the 20th century the two parties were the CONSERVATIVES and the LIBERALS, direct descendants of the older Tory and Whig parties.

The principal source and philosophy of the LABOUR PARTY was the Fabian Society, formed in 1884, though the party itself was founded much later. This group was led by such intellectuals as George Bernard Shaw and Sidney Webb. It took its name from the Roman general Fabius Cunctator, who defeated Hannibal by dilatory tactics. The Fabians opposed the doctrine of class warfare and substituted evolution for revolution. The Labour Party adopted this doctrine.

The Labour Party proper was founded in 1906. After the First World War it proclaimed its socialist ideas. Its socialist programme called for nationalization and equalities of wealth.

Today the Labour Party advocates a mixed programme based on the platform of social- democratic reformism. It has abandoned nationalization and may be regarded as a party centre to the left. In 1997, 2001 and 2005 it won three consecutive general elections thus becoming the party of government with Tony Blair, its leader, becoming the Prime Minister.

Membership of the Labour Party is also mixed, though the majority are members of trade unions. Nearly all trade unions contribute funds to the political activities of the party, and many of the leaders of the unions are also leaders of the party. Despite the domination of the industrial workers the influence of the middle- and upper-class members of the party should not be underestimated.

The CONSERVATIVE PARTY is the other chief party. It was officially formed in 1867 on the basis of political groups of the English landed aristocracy. In the course of its long existence it has inherited or adopted both political beliefs and political interests. One of the most important things it has accepted are the teachings of John Locke about government and about property. Locke taught that men naturally possess certain weighty rights, the chief being life, liberty and property. One of the characteristic concepts of the Conservatives is that the State must protect property, and that private property widely distributed is the best solution for society.

The modern Tory concept of democracy includes social and economic reform, government responsibility for health, education and social security, and a certain measure of economic planning.

The Conservative Party has no official permanent programme. Before a general election the party issues a pre-election manifesto which states the main aspects of the home and foreign policies of the future Conservative government if the party wins the election.

The members of the Conservative Party come from various groups, although they are not easy to distinguish. Among them there are the country aristocracy consisting of big landowners, smaller farmers and businessmen in small towns and cities. There are also many working- class people who vote for Conservative candidates because they believe in social reform.

As a result of the split in the Labour Party in 1981 a new party was formed, the Social-Democratic Party. It formed an alliance with the old Liberal Party. The two parties acted together in one bloc in the elections of 1983 and 1987. In 1988 these two parties finally merged together under the name the SOCIAL-LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY or simply the Liberal Democrats, which is the third most important political party in the country, though not as influential as each of the two noted above.

The new party takes a centrist stand in the political life of the country. Its political platform remains vague, it reflects a diversity of views of the members of the two former parties. In the political system of Great Britain the Liberal Democrats occupy an intermediate position between the Labour and Conservative parties and advocate social reforms. The social basis of the party is formed of the middle class intellectuals.

There are a number of minor parties in Great Britain: the Scottish National party (1928), the Welsh National Party (Plaid Cymru,1925). There are several political parties in Northern Ireland: the Ulster Unionists (Protestant and Loyalist - loyal to London), the Social Democratic and Labour Party (Catholic), the Ulster Democratic Unionists (Protestant loyalists) and the Sinn Fein (Irish for "we ourselves", Catholic).

All the major political parties of Great Britain structurally have their local associations in each of 646 (2005) electoral districts, or constituencies. The constituency association appoints its own executive committee and chairman, and has various subcommittees. The full-time work of the constituency is carried on by an appointed agent. He is assisted by an organizer and office staff.