The Political Parties.

The British democratic system depends on political parties and there has been a party system of some kind since the 17^th century. The Conservative and the Liberal parties are the oldest and until the last years of the 19^th century they were the only parties elected to the House of Commons.

The Conservatives, often called the Tories, have always been the party of the Right, the party of big business, industry, commerce and landowners. It can broadly be described as the party of the middle and upper classes although it does receive some working class support. The party represents those who believe in private enterprise as opposed to state-owned undertakings. The Tories are the most powerful party and are often called a party of business directors. (The word “Tories” is an Irish name for thieves and was applied to the Conservatives by their opponents, but later they adopted the name to describe themselves).

The Tories were opposed by the Whigs, a rude name for cattle drivers. In the middle of the 19^th century the Liberal Party (or the Whigs) represented the trading and manufacturing classes. Its slogan of that time was “Civil and Religious Liberty”. During the second half of the 19^th century many working people looked at the Liberal Party as an alternative to the Conservatives and their policy. At the end of the 19^th century and in the first two decades of the 20^th century, the Liberals lost the support of working – class voters.

Around 1900 the Labour Party was formed as the political arm of the trade unions. It was the party that drew away working people’s support. The Labour Party has always had strong links with the trade unions and receives financial support from them. While many Labour voters are middle-class or intellectuals, the traditional Labour Party support is still strongest in industrial areas.

There are also some other parties: the Social Democratic Party, the Liberal Democrats. The Green Party, The Communist Party, the National Front, the Scottish National Party and the Welsh National Party.

Exercise 7. Answer the following questions.

1. What are the dominant parties in modern Britain?

2. What is the difference between the two main political parties?

3. What do you know about the activities of the Green Party in Britain?

4. What is the role of the Liberal Party?

5. What is the ruling party in Great Britain now?

Exercise 8. Ask the questions.

Little by little, England became the strongest of all the states of the British Isles.

In the 13^th country England conquered Wales.

There were many wars between England and Scotland.

In 1707 Scotland and England formed one powerful state.

Its name has been Great Britain since then.

Today Great Britain comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. England is the southern part of Great Britain.

England is the southern part of Great Britain.

If we speak of the whole country we call it Great Britain.