- Question
Will the UK move away from a two party system?
British politics continues to be dominated by the Conservative and Labour Party, but with the emergence of smaller 'protest' parties and the dominance of the Scottish Nationalist Party in recent General Elections, is it realistic to believe that two party politics has a future in the UK?
The two party system is likely to remain
This position holds that the UK's two-party system is likely to remain. It argues that the Conservative and Labour parties will continue to be the only two capable of forming a UK-wide government, as they always have — the structure of British politics enduring despite smaller parties' gains.
The two party system is likely to be replaced by a multi-party system
This position holds that the UK's two-party system is likely to give way to a multi-party one. It argues that smaller parties are playing an ever-larger role and that a rising share of voters is backing them, gradually eroding the dominance of the two main parties.
The two party system will continue but there will be a rotating cast of protest parties
This position holds that the UK's two-party system will endure, but with a rotating cast of protest parties around it. It argues that the Conservatives and Labour will remain the parties of government, while smaller protest parties rise and fall without ever truly threatening that dominance.
Scotland will destroy the two party system
This position holds that Scotland will break the UK's two-party system. It argues the Scottish National Party has already shattered two-party dominance north of the border, and that rising Scottish nationalism signals the end of traditional two-party politics.