Political Parties in the United Kingdom facts for kids

The flag of the United Kingdom

Political parties are groups of people who share similar ideas. They want to run the country in a certain way. In the United Kingdom, many different parties exist. They try to get their members elected to Parliament. This helps them make laws and lead the government. This article will tell you about the main political parties in the UK.

Political Parties in England

The flag of England

Most major UK parties are active in England. They also compete in elections across Scotland and Wales. Here are some parties with members in the UK Parliament:

• Conservative Party - This is a centre-right party. They believe in traditional British values. They also want to keep the UK together.
• Labour Party - This is a centre-left party. They focus on social fairness and equality. They support ideas like public services and workers' rights.
• Liberal Democrats - This is a centre-left party. They believe in individual freedoms and social justice. They also support power sharing across different regions.
• UK Independence Party - This is a right-wing party. Their main goal was for the UK to leave the European Union. They also have conservative ideas.
• Green Party of England and Wales - This is a left-wing party. They focus on protecting the environment. They also support social justice.

Political Parties in Scotland

The flag of Scotland

In Scotland, there are two main types of parties. These are Nationalists and Unionists. Nationalists want Scotland to become an independent country. Unionists want Scotland to stay part of the United Kingdom. Here are parties with members in the Scottish Parliament:

Nationalist Parties

• Scottish National Party - This is a centre-left party. They want Scotland to be independent. They also support social fairness.
• Scottish Green Party - This is a left-wing party. They focus on environmental protection. They also support Scottish independence.

Unionist Parties

• Scottish Labour Party - This is a centre-left party. They want Scotland to stay in the UK. They also support social justice.
• Scottish Conservative Party - This is a centre-right party. They strongly believe Scotland should remain in the UK. They also hold conservative views.
• Scottish Liberal Democrats - This is a centre-left party. They want Scotland to stay in the UK. They also support individual freedoms and fairness.

Political Parties in Wales

The flag of Wales

Here are parties with members in the Welsh Assembly:

• Welsh Labour Party - This is a centre-left party. They focus on social fairness in Wales. They also support public services.
• Plaid Cymru - This is a centre-left party. They want Wales to become an independent country. They also support social justice.
• Welsh Conservative Party - This is a centre-right party. They strongly believe Wales should remain in the UK. They also hold conservative views.
• Welsh Liberal Democrats - This is a centre-left party. They support individual freedoms in Wales. They also believe in power sharing.

Political Parties in Northern Ireland

The flag of Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, there are two main types of parties. These are Republicans and Unionists. Republicans want Northern Ireland to leave the UK. They want it to join the Republic of Ireland. Unionists want Northern Ireland to stay in the United Kingdom. Some parties are open to both ideas. Here are parties with members in the Northern Ireland Assembly:

• Democratic Unionist Party - This is a right-wing party. They strongly want Northern Ireland to stay in the UK. They are often linked to the Protestant community.
• Sinn Fein - This is a left-wing party. They want Northern Ireland to join the Republic of Ireland. They are often linked to the Catholic community.
• Social Democratic and Labour Party - This is a centre-left party. They want Northern Ireland to join the Republic of Ireland. They also support social fairness.
• Ulster Unionist Party - This is a centre-right party. They want Northern Ireland to stay in the UK. They also hold conservative views.
• Alliance Party of Northern Ireland - This is a centrist party. They want to end divisions between communities. They do not take a side on joining the UK or Ireland.
• Green Party of Northern Ireland - This is a left-wing party. They focus on protecting the environment. They also support social justice.

Other Political Parties in the UK

Many smaller parties exist across the UK. They often focus on specific issues or regions. Here are a few examples:

• The Official Monster Raving Loony Party - This party uses humor to highlight political issues. They often suggest funny policies.
• Pirate Party - This party wants to change laws about copyright. They also focus on protecting people's privacy online.
• Mebyon Kernow (Sons of Cornwall) - This party wants a special assembly for Cornwall. They focus on Cornish identity and rights.