A Level Politics - Comparing Electoral and Party Systems - The significance of third-party and independent candidates in the UK and the USA

A Level Politics - Comparing Electoral and Party Systems - The significance of third-party and independent candidates in the UK and the USA

This section highlights a key difference between the UK and US political systems: the influence of minor parties.

Key takeaway: While third parties hold more sway in the UK, independent candidates are more impactful in the USA.

I. United Kingdom:

• Historically greater third-party support: The UK has traditionally seen stronger support for parties beyond the two major ones (e.g., Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party).
• 2019 Election as an outlier: The 2019 general election showed a return to two-party dominance (Conservatives and Labour). This is highlighted by:
  • ~75% combined vote share for the two major parties.
  • 87% of seats won by the two major parties.
  • Conservatives secured a significant majority (80 seats).
• Recent history of third-party influence: The elections between 2010 and 2017 differed significantly. Neither major party held a strong majority, leading to:
  • Third parties holding the balance of power.
  • Third parties possessing considerable influence on government formation and policy.

II. United States:

• Greater significance of independent candidates: Independent candidates play a more significant role in US elections than third parties.
• 2020 Presidential Election: Demonstrates the dominance of the two major parties:
  • ~98% combined vote share for Trump (Republican) and Biden (Democrat).
  • No third-party candidate won a single state.

III. Comparison:

Feature	United Kingdom	United States
Dominant Force	Traditionally third parties; 2019 outlier	Two major parties (Republicans & Democrats)
Recent Trend	Fluctuation between two-party and multi-party systems	Consistent two-party dominance
Key Players	Third parties (e.g., Liberal Democrats, SNP)	Independent candidates
Influence	Significant when no single party has a majority	Limited influence at the national level

Study Questions:

1. Explain the shift in the UK's political landscape between the 2010-2017 elections and the 2019 election. What factors contributed to this change?
2. Why is the 2020 US Presidential election considered a strong example of a two-party system?
3. Compare and contrast the role and influence of third parties in the UK and independent candidates in the USA. What are the underlying reasons for these differences?
4. What are the potential consequences of a heavily dominant two-party system, both positive and negative?
5. Research and identify examples of third parties that have significantly influenced UK politics in recent history, and explain how they did so.

This study guide provides a framework for understanding the key differences in the roles of minor parties and independent candidates in the UK and US political systems. Remember to expand your understanding by researching specific examples and exploring the underlying reasons for the observed patterns.

UK vs. US Third Parties: A Comparative Study Guide

This study guide compares the significance of third parties in the UK and US political systems. The key differences lie in their influence on government formation, representation, and electoral outcomes.

I. Balance of Power

A. UK: Third parties wield considerable influence, often holding the balance of power.

• Examples: The 2010-2015 Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government; the "confidence and supply" agreement between the Conservatives and the DUP in May's minority government. These agreements resulted in tangible policy impacts (e.g., AV referendum, scrapping ID cards, £1 billion in funding for Northern Ireland).
• Significance: This contrasts sharply with the US, where one of the two major parties always controls Congress (even if divided between chambers), necessitating bipartisan compromise. Third parties are excluded from this process.

B. US: Third parties lack power in national government formation.

• Congress: Control always rests with one of the two major parties, demanding bipartisan compromise for legislation.
• Presidential elections: No US presidential election has ever been won by a third-party candidate.

II. Representation

A. UK: Third parties have significant representation at various levels.

• Devolved Assemblies: Different electoral systems (STV, AMS) in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland prevent two-party dominance. Nationalist parties (SNP, Plaid Cymru) are major players, sometimes forming minority governments.
• Local Government: Third parties frequently run and win control of local councils, including major cities.

B. US: Third-party representation is extremely limited.

• State and National Levels: Very few third-party candidates win major offices. Successful examples are usually short-lived, personality-driven (e.g., Lowell Weicker, Jesse Ventura), or limited to the lowest levels of local government (e.g., school boards, town councils).
• Policy Impact: This lack of representation severely limits their ability to influence national policy.

III. Policy Influence

A. UK: Third parties directly influence policy through coalition agreements and power-sharing arrangements.

B. US: Third parties exert limited policy influence.

• Co-optation: The major parties sometimes adopt popular third-party policies to broaden appeal (e.g., Ross Perot's deficit reduction plan, the Green New Deal). However, this often reduces the third party's distinctiveness, potentially harming their electoral prospects.

IV. Securing Votes and Electoral Impact

A. UK: Third parties can significantly impact election outcomes, sometimes with unintended consequences.

• Example: In 2019, the Brexit Party's strong showing in Doncaster North cost Labour a seat.

B. US: Third parties primarily act as "spoilers," potentially influencing elections by diverting votes from a major party candidate.

• Examples: Ralph Nader in the 2000 election, third-party voters in key swing states in 2016 and 2020. This impact can be particularly significant in close elections.

Key Differences Summarized:

Feature	UK	US
Balance of Power	Significant, often determines government	Minimal, always two-party control of Congress
Representation	Substantial at national and local levels	Extremely limited, mostly at local level
Policy Influence	Direct influence through coalitions	Indirect influence through co-optation
Electoral Impact	Can significantly alter election outcomes	Often acts as "spoiler" in close elections

Study Tip: Focus on comparing and contrasting specific examples from both countries to solidify your understanding of the differences in the roles and impact of third parties. Consider the different electoral systems and their contribution to these differences.

Study Guide: The Significance of Independent Candidates in US and UK Politics

This study guide analyzes the contrasting roles of independent candidates in the US and UK electoral systems.

I. Independent Candidates in the USA:

• Apparent, but not always true independence: Many US "third-party" candidates are actually high-profile individuals who leverage pre-existing political capital from a major party. Examples include Weicker and Wallace. Their campaigns, though under a third-party banner, function more like independent runs.
• Examples of successful independent Senators: Angus King (Maine) and Bernie Sanders (Vermont) are cited as examples of elected independents. However, it's crucial to note:
  • Both have close ties to the Democratic Party.
  • Sanders ran for the Democratic nomination.
  • Neither faced significant Democratic opposition in their Senate races. This suggests their success depended heavily on existing party structures and support, not pure independent appeal.
• Limited Success for True Independents: The text emphasizes the rarity of genuinely independent candidates achieving significant electoral success in the US without significant support or tacit agreement from an existing party.

II. Independent Candidates in the UK:

• Far less common: True independent candidates are extremely uncommon in the UK.
• Success often reliant on strategic defections: When an independent does win, it's usually because one or more established parties strategically withdraw their candidates, clearing the path to victory. Martin Bell's 1997 win is given as a prime example; Labour and the Liberal Democrats did not contest his seat.
• Stricter campaign finance: Wealthy individuals cannot spend unlimited amounts on their campaigns, unlike in the US, presenting a further hurdle for independent candidates.

III. Comparison and Conclusion:

• Influence and significance: Third parties and independents have considerably more influence in the UK than the US, both electorally and in policy-making.
• The US case: The US sees occasional surges of support for charismatic independent candidates but lacks established, viable third parties capable of winning major offices.
• Trump's strategic choice: The text poses the question of why Donald Trump ran as a Republican rather than an independent. The answer, it suggests, lies in the historical lack of success for third-party and independent candidates in US elections.

IV. Key Differences Summarized:

Feature	USA	UK
Independent Success	Relatively common, but often disguised as third-party candidates with strong pre-existing political capital	Extremely rare; success often depends on other parties standing down
Campaign Finance	Less regulated; allows for large independent expenditures	More regulated; limits spending by independent candidates
Third-Party Viability	Weak; rarely pose a significant threat to major parties	More significant, although still a challenge to major parties

V. Key Terms:

• Manifesto (UK): A formal statement of policy intentions of a political party.
• Party Platform (USA): A formal statement of policy intentions of a political party, equivalent to the UK's manifesto.

VI. Study Questions:

1. Why are the examples of seemingly successful independent candidates in the US less straightforward than they initially appear?
2. How does the UK electoral system create different opportunities and challenges for independent candidates compared to the US system?
3. Explain the significance of Martin Bell's victory in the 1997 UK election.
4. Analyze the strategic decision of Donald Trump to run as a Republican rather than an independent. What are the potential risks and rewards of each choice?
5. Discuss the implications of campaign finance regulations in the US and UK for the success of independent candidates.

This study guide should help you understand the nuanced differences in the roles of independent candidates in the US and UK political systems. Remember to use the key terms and consider the study questions to solidify your understanding.

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