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This is a list of political parties in the United Kingdom. Brief history and overview Prior to the mid-19th century British politics was dominated by the Whigs and the Tories. These were not political parties in the modern sense but somewhat loose alliances of interests and individuals. The Whigs were associated with the newly emerging moneyed industrial classes, and the Tories were associated with the landed gentry and the Anglican Church. By the mid 19th century the Tories had evolved into the Conservative Party, and the Whigs had evolved into the Liberal Party. These two parties dominated the political scene until the 1920s, when the Liberal Party declined in popularity and suffered a long stream of resignations. It was replaced as the main left-wing party by the newly emerging Labour Party, who represented an alliance between the Trade Unions and various socialist societies. Since then the Conservative and Labour Parties have dominated British politics, and have alternated in government ever since. The UK is nearly but not quite a two-party system however. The Liberals merged with the Social Democrats because they had very similar views and became the Liberal Democrats which are now a sizeable third party whose electoral results have improved in recent years. The UK's First Past the Post electoral system leaves small parties disadvantaged on a national scale. It can, however, allow parties with concentrations of supporters in the constituent countries to flourish. Other than the Respect coalition and Health Concern, the only minor parties represented in the House of Commons are based in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In recent years, proportional representation-based voting systems have been adopted for elections to the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the London Assembly and the UK's seats in the European Parliament. In these bodies, minor parties have had some amount of success. Traditionally political parties have been private organisations with no official recognition by the state. The Registration of Political Parties Act 1998 changed that by creating a register of parties. Register of Political Parties The Electoral Commission's register of political parties lists the details of parties registered to fight elections with their name in the United Kingdom. Under current electoral law only registered party names can be used on ballot papers by those wishing to fight elections. As of 09 October 2006 it shows the number of registered political parties as below. Major political parties in the United Kingdom. Three parties dominate politics in the House of Commons. They all operate throughout Great Britain (only the Conservative Party stands candidates in Northern Ireland). Most of the British Members of the European Parliament, the Scottish Parliament, and the National Assembly for Wales represent one of these parties: Political parties with elected representation at a national or international level Note See also: Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Members of the European Parliament for the United Kingdom 2004-2009. Minor England|English political parties Minor Scotland|Scottish political parties Minor Wales|Welsh political parties Minor Northern Ireland political parties Minor far left political parties in the United Kingdom Minor far right political parties in the United Kingdom Joke political parties in the United Kingdom Minor religion-based political parties in the United Kingdom Minor single-issue political parties in the United Kingdom English political parties Scottish political parties Welsh political parties Ireland|Irish political parties Defunct far left and communist political parties in the United Kingdom Defunct British far right and fascist political parties Miscellaneous British political parties See also | |||||||
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