Aiman Rizwan
Evaluate the view that minority UK political parties have a significant influence on UK politics.
Minor Party and focus. Electoral success (note in which How have they influenced UK politics? Limitations of influence Evaluation – how important
institutions Westminster or devolved) have they been?
What do they stand for?
Scottish National Party (SNP) Westminster (UK Parliament): The SNP has had a big impact on UK Lack of control over Westminster - the
The SNP struggled to gain traction at politics, mainly by pushing for Scottish SNP is dominant in Scotland but has
The SNP primarily focuses on Scottish Westminster (the UK Parliament) until independence. Their biggest success was limited power in Westminster since they
Independence. Their main goal is to do not form the UK government. Their
2015. In the 2015 general election, the getting David Cameron to agree to the
achieve independence for Scotland influence depends on the number of seats
SNP won 56 out of 59 Scottish seats, 2014 independence referendum, which they win in general elections, but they
from the UK. They successfully pushed largely due to the collapse of the Scottish although unsuccessful, made cannot pass laws without support from
for the 2014 Scottish independence Labour party, their perceived success in independence a major political issue. The other parties.
referendum and continue to advocate governing Scotland and the momentum SNP also helped Scotland gain more Failure to achieve independence - the
for another referendum. They also from the 2014 independence powers, especially through the Scotland SNP’s main goal - Scottish independence -
focus on the devolution of powers. referendum. In the 2017 general election, Act of 2016, which gave the Scottish has not been achieved. The 2014
They played a key role in securing the SNP lost 21 seats, reducing their Parliament more control over taxes and independence referendum resulted in a
greater autonomy for Scotland, ‘no’ vote, and their calls for a second
presence in Westminster. By the 2019 welfare. Their success in elections changed
including the Scotland Act of 2016, referendum have been repeatedly
general election, they regained most of UK politics, especially in 2015, when they rejected by the UK government.
which gave more control over taxation their lost seats, winning 48 seats, won 56 out of 59 seats, weakening Labour Electoral setbacks in Westminster - while
and welfare. Furthermore, they focus solidifying their position as the third- in Scotland and making it harder for them they won 56 out of 59 seats in 2015, their
on left-wing policies. The SNP largest party in Westminster. to win UK elections. In Westminster, the support dropped in 2017, when they lost
promotes social policies like protecting Devolved Institutions (Scottish SNP plays an important role in hung 21 seats. Although they regained some in
the NHS and education, which helped Parliament): parliaments, influencing decisions on 2019, this showed that their influence at
them attract former Labour voters. The SNP has governed Scotland since Brexit, devolution, and social policies. By Westminster is not always stable.
Finally, they focus on electoral success 2007, when they won enough seats in the dominating Scottish elections, they have Limited impact on UK-wide policy - the
in Scotland. They have been the Scottish Parliament to form a also reduced the power of UK-wide parties SNP strongly opposes conservative
dominant party in Scotland, winning government. Their strong performance in in Scotland and kept debates about policies, but as a third party in
56 out of 59 seats in the 2015 general devolved elections allowed them to gain independence and constitutional reform Westminster, they cannot stop major UK
election, though their support more powers, especially through the alive. decisions like Brexit, which Scotland voted
fluctuated in later years. Scotland Act of 2016, which expanded against but still had to follow. Their
impact is mostly restricted to Scottish
Scottish Parliament’s control over
issues, rather than shaping UK-wide
taxation and welfare policies. policies.
Challenges in Scottish governance -
although the SNP has governed Scotland
since 2007, their leadership has faced
criticism over issues like healthcare,
education, and economic policies. Failures
or struggles in these areas weaken their
argument for independence and reduce
public trust in their ability to govern an
independent Scotland
, Aiman Rizwan
Plaid Cymru 2017 Plaid Cymru won 4 of the 40 Welsh Minimal Never won many seats so impact was
parliamentary seats in Westminster. And minimal.
Welsh Nationalist Party. (Left) 13 of the 60 seats in the Welsh Senedd
The Labour party’s dominant
Main support comes from Welsh 2007 and 2011 formed a coalition with influence in Wales has limited their
speaking parts of north Wales. First Labour in the Welsh Assembly (Senedd) influence in Westminster and on the
won a seat in Westminster in 1966 devolved National Assembly
(Senedd).
UKIP UKIP won the most votes in the 2014 UKIP had a major impact on UK politics by The FPTP voting system made it `
UKIP stands for the United Kingdom European Parliament elections, becoming pressuring the government to hold the difficult for UKIP to gain seats in
Independence Party. UKIP’s main focus the largest UK party in the European 2016 Brexit referendum, which led to the Westminster, even when it won
has been on leaving the European Parliament with 27.5% of the vote. This UK leaving the EU. Their success in the millions of votes - for example, in the
Union (EU) and reducing immigration. was the first time a party other than 2014 European Parliament elections, 2015 general election, UKIP received
They focus on Brexit. UKIP was created Labour or the Conservatives had won a where they won 27.5% of the vote, 12.6% of the vote but only one seat.
in 1993 to oppose the UK’s ties with UK-wide election in over 100 years. This demonstrated strong public support for Another limitation was that UKIP’s
the EU. Their biggest success was victory increased pressure on David leaving the EU and forced David Cameron influence was largely focused on a
pressuring David Cameron to hold the Cam0eron to hold a referendum on EU to promise a referendum in the 2015 single issue: Brexit. Once the 2016
2016 Brexit referendum, which led to membership, leading to the 2016 Brexit Conservative manifesto. UKIP has also referendum led to the UK leaving the
the UK leaving the EU. After Brexit, vote. In the 2015 general election, UKIP shifted political debates by making EU, the party lost its main purpose
UKIP lost its main purpose and became won 12.6% of the vote- over 3.8 million immigration control a key issue, arguing causing its support to collapse. UKIP
much less popular. They also focus on votes. However, due to the FPTP electoral that high immigration levels threatened also struggled with leadership
immigration control. UKIP wanted system, they only won one seat in jobs and wages, which influenced both instability, with multiple leaders
stricter immigration rules, arguing that Parliament. In 2016, although UKIP did Labour and Conservative policies on resigning after Nigel Farage stepped
immigration was harming jobs and not directly win seats in this vote, their immigration. Although UKIP struggled down in 2016, leading to internal
British culture. This helped them gain campaigning and pressure on the under the FPTP system, winning only one divisions and a lack of clear direction.
support from working-class voters who Conservative Party led to the 2016 Brexit seat in the 2015 general election, their Additionally, the party failed to
felt ignored by other parties. referendum. The UK voted 52% to 48% to influence was seen in how mainstream establish itself as a major political
leave the EU, achieving UKIP’s main parties adopted tougher stances on the EU force beyond Brexit, as voters moved
political goal. and immigration. After the Brexit vote, back to the Conservatives or other
UKIP’s relevance declined as their main parties once Brexit was secured.
political goal had been achieved, with most Lastly, UKIP’s association with far-
of their supporters moving to the right politics and controversial figures
Conservative Party or the Brexit Party further damaged its reputation,
pushing away many former
supporters and limiting its ability to
remain relevant in UK politics.
Minor Party and focus. Electoral success (note in which How have they influenced on UK politics? Limitations of influence Evaluation – how important
institutions Westminster or devolved) have they been?
What do they stand for?
The Brexit Party The Brexit Party had its biggest success in The Brexit Party influenced UK politics by Its main focus was on leaving the EU,
the 2019 European Parliament elections, pushing the Conservative Party to take a so once Brexit happened in 2020, the
Evaluate the view that minority UK political parties have a significant influence on UK politics.
Minor Party and focus. Electoral success (note in which How have they influenced UK politics? Limitations of influence Evaluation – how important
institutions Westminster or devolved) have they been?
What do they stand for?
Scottish National Party (SNP) Westminster (UK Parliament): The SNP has had a big impact on UK Lack of control over Westminster - the
The SNP struggled to gain traction at politics, mainly by pushing for Scottish SNP is dominant in Scotland but has
The SNP primarily focuses on Scottish Westminster (the UK Parliament) until independence. Their biggest success was limited power in Westminster since they
Independence. Their main goal is to do not form the UK government. Their
2015. In the 2015 general election, the getting David Cameron to agree to the
achieve independence for Scotland influence depends on the number of seats
SNP won 56 out of 59 Scottish seats, 2014 independence referendum, which they win in general elections, but they
from the UK. They successfully pushed largely due to the collapse of the Scottish although unsuccessful, made cannot pass laws without support from
for the 2014 Scottish independence Labour party, their perceived success in independence a major political issue. The other parties.
referendum and continue to advocate governing Scotland and the momentum SNP also helped Scotland gain more Failure to achieve independence - the
for another referendum. They also from the 2014 independence powers, especially through the Scotland SNP’s main goal - Scottish independence -
focus on the devolution of powers. referendum. In the 2017 general election, Act of 2016, which gave the Scottish has not been achieved. The 2014
They played a key role in securing the SNP lost 21 seats, reducing their Parliament more control over taxes and independence referendum resulted in a
greater autonomy for Scotland, ‘no’ vote, and their calls for a second
presence in Westminster. By the 2019 welfare. Their success in elections changed
including the Scotland Act of 2016, referendum have been repeatedly
general election, they regained most of UK politics, especially in 2015, when they rejected by the UK government.
which gave more control over taxation their lost seats, winning 48 seats, won 56 out of 59 seats, weakening Labour Electoral setbacks in Westminster - while
and welfare. Furthermore, they focus solidifying their position as the third- in Scotland and making it harder for them they won 56 out of 59 seats in 2015, their
on left-wing policies. The SNP largest party in Westminster. to win UK elections. In Westminster, the support dropped in 2017, when they lost
promotes social policies like protecting Devolved Institutions (Scottish SNP plays an important role in hung 21 seats. Although they regained some in
the NHS and education, which helped Parliament): parliaments, influencing decisions on 2019, this showed that their influence at
them attract former Labour voters. The SNP has governed Scotland since Brexit, devolution, and social policies. By Westminster is not always stable.
Finally, they focus on electoral success 2007, when they won enough seats in the dominating Scottish elections, they have Limited impact on UK-wide policy - the
in Scotland. They have been the Scottish Parliament to form a also reduced the power of UK-wide parties SNP strongly opposes conservative
dominant party in Scotland, winning government. Their strong performance in in Scotland and kept debates about policies, but as a third party in
56 out of 59 seats in the 2015 general devolved elections allowed them to gain independence and constitutional reform Westminster, they cannot stop major UK
election, though their support more powers, especially through the alive. decisions like Brexit, which Scotland voted
fluctuated in later years. Scotland Act of 2016, which expanded against but still had to follow. Their
impact is mostly restricted to Scottish
Scottish Parliament’s control over
issues, rather than shaping UK-wide
taxation and welfare policies. policies.
Challenges in Scottish governance -
although the SNP has governed Scotland
since 2007, their leadership has faced
criticism over issues like healthcare,
education, and economic policies. Failures
or struggles in these areas weaken their
argument for independence and reduce
public trust in their ability to govern an
independent Scotland
, Aiman Rizwan
Plaid Cymru 2017 Plaid Cymru won 4 of the 40 Welsh Minimal Never won many seats so impact was
parliamentary seats in Westminster. And minimal.
Welsh Nationalist Party. (Left) 13 of the 60 seats in the Welsh Senedd
The Labour party’s dominant
Main support comes from Welsh 2007 and 2011 formed a coalition with influence in Wales has limited their
speaking parts of north Wales. First Labour in the Welsh Assembly (Senedd) influence in Westminster and on the
won a seat in Westminster in 1966 devolved National Assembly
(Senedd).
UKIP UKIP won the most votes in the 2014 UKIP had a major impact on UK politics by The FPTP voting system made it `
UKIP stands for the United Kingdom European Parliament elections, becoming pressuring the government to hold the difficult for UKIP to gain seats in
Independence Party. UKIP’s main focus the largest UK party in the European 2016 Brexit referendum, which led to the Westminster, even when it won
has been on leaving the European Parliament with 27.5% of the vote. This UK leaving the EU. Their success in the millions of votes - for example, in the
Union (EU) and reducing immigration. was the first time a party other than 2014 European Parliament elections, 2015 general election, UKIP received
They focus on Brexit. UKIP was created Labour or the Conservatives had won a where they won 27.5% of the vote, 12.6% of the vote but only one seat.
in 1993 to oppose the UK’s ties with UK-wide election in over 100 years. This demonstrated strong public support for Another limitation was that UKIP’s
the EU. Their biggest success was victory increased pressure on David leaving the EU and forced David Cameron influence was largely focused on a
pressuring David Cameron to hold the Cam0eron to hold a referendum on EU to promise a referendum in the 2015 single issue: Brexit. Once the 2016
2016 Brexit referendum, which led to membership, leading to the 2016 Brexit Conservative manifesto. UKIP has also referendum led to the UK leaving the
the UK leaving the EU. After Brexit, vote. In the 2015 general election, UKIP shifted political debates by making EU, the party lost its main purpose
UKIP lost its main purpose and became won 12.6% of the vote- over 3.8 million immigration control a key issue, arguing causing its support to collapse. UKIP
much less popular. They also focus on votes. However, due to the FPTP electoral that high immigration levels threatened also struggled with leadership
immigration control. UKIP wanted system, they only won one seat in jobs and wages, which influenced both instability, with multiple leaders
stricter immigration rules, arguing that Parliament. In 2016, although UKIP did Labour and Conservative policies on resigning after Nigel Farage stepped
immigration was harming jobs and not directly win seats in this vote, their immigration. Although UKIP struggled down in 2016, leading to internal
British culture. This helped them gain campaigning and pressure on the under the FPTP system, winning only one divisions and a lack of clear direction.
support from working-class voters who Conservative Party led to the 2016 Brexit seat in the 2015 general election, their Additionally, the party failed to
felt ignored by other parties. referendum. The UK voted 52% to 48% to influence was seen in how mainstream establish itself as a major political
leave the EU, achieving UKIP’s main parties adopted tougher stances on the EU force beyond Brexit, as voters moved
political goal. and immigration. After the Brexit vote, back to the Conservatives or other
UKIP’s relevance declined as their main parties once Brexit was secured.
political goal had been achieved, with most Lastly, UKIP’s association with far-
of their supporters moving to the right politics and controversial figures
Conservative Party or the Brexit Party further damaged its reputation,
pushing away many former
supporters and limiting its ability to
remain relevant in UK politics.
Minor Party and focus. Electoral success (note in which How have they influenced on UK politics? Limitations of influence Evaluation – how important
institutions Westminster or devolved) have they been?
What do they stand for?
The Brexit Party The Brexit Party had its biggest success in The Brexit Party influenced UK politics by Its main focus was on leaving the EU,
the 2019 European Parliament elections, pushing the Conservative Party to take a so once Brexit happened in 2020, the
