The United Kingdom Party System

This chapter discusses the two-party hegemony that has dominated the United Kingdom (UK) party system for around 100 years, examining the history of the system and how the dominance of the Conservative and Labour parties has allowed the two to mould a system to their collective advantage. While there is incontrovertible evidence that the public is discontented with the parties and the choices that they provide, the plurality electoral system and the shaping of legislation by the two parties mean there is little prospect of fundamental change. The framework conditions protect the system from incursions by challenger parties and give the two parties time to adapt to changing conditions and new demands, with varying degrees of success.