Question 1: What is a political party and what is its main purpose in the UK political system?

Answer: A political party is an organized group of people who share similar ideas and aims about how the country should be run. Its main purpose is to influence government policies and to get its members elected as representatives or MPs.

Question 2: Name three major political parties in the UK and briefly state their key political positions or ideologies.

Answer: The Conservative Party (centre-right, supports free market and traditional values), the Labour Party (centre-left, supports social equality and public services), and the Liberal Democrats (centrist, advocates for civil liberties and environmental issues).

Question 3: Describe two ways in which political parties influence the democratic process in the UK.

Answer: Political parties influence democracy by standing in elections to represent the public’s views and by forming governments or opposition, which helps shape national policies. They also engage with voters through campaigns and debates to inform and persuade the public.

Question 4: Explain what is meant by 'party membership' and why people might choose to join a political party.

Answer: Party membership means being officially part of a political party, often involving paying a fee and participating in party activities. People might join to support a cause they believe in, influence party policies, or have a say in selecting candidates.

Question 5: Identify and explain two differences between a political party and an independent candidate.

Answer: A political party is a group with a shared set of policies and a structured organization, while an independent candidate runs alone without party affiliation. Political parties can contest multiple elections and form governments, whereas independents usually stand in individual elections without party support.

Question 6: Draw a simple diagram showing the relationship between a political party, a candidate, and an election.

Answer: The diagram should show a political party at the top, with an arrow pointing to a candidate representing the party, then an arrow from the candidate to a box labeled 'Election'. This illustrates the party selecting a candidate to contest the election.

Question 7: What role do political parties play in forming the UK government after an election?

Answer: After an election, the political party with the most seats in the House of Commons usually forms the government, with its leader becoming the Prime Minister. Sometimes, if no party has a majority, parties may form coalitions to govern together.

Question 8: Sketch a simple chart showing the process of how a political party can influence policy changes in the UK.

Answer: The sketch should include: Political Party develops policies → Party campaigns and wins seats in Parliament → Members of Parliament (MPs) debate and pass laws → Policies are implemented as part of government decision-making.

Question 9: List two advantages and two disadvantages of having multiple political parties in the UK.

Answer: Advantages: 1) More choices for voters, representing diverse views. 2) Encourages parties to develop unique policies. Disadvantages: 1) Can lead to unstable coalition governments. 2) Makes forming a clear majority more difficult, potentially causing legislative gridlock.

Question 10: Briefly explain what is meant by a 'general election' and how political parties participate in it.

Answer: A general election is a nationwide vote to elect Members of Parliament to the House of Commons. Political parties participate by selecting candidates to stand in each constituency and campaigning to gain voter support.

Question 11: Describe how public opinion can influence political parties in the UK.

Answer: Public opinion influences parties by shaping their policies and campaign messages. If a party notices that voters support or oppose certain issues, it may change its stance to gain or retain support.