Origin and Development of Modern British Political Parties

Article ID: 482

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Keywords: Britain, Modern Political Parties, Origin, Development

Abstract

Britain is the origin of modern political parties and party systems. Since the beginning of the bourgeois revolution of Britain in 1640, there was a long struggle between royalty and anti-royalty and the realignment and regrouping of various political forces strengthened the power of the bourgeoisie in parliament. Those who represented the interests of the bourgeoisie and the bourgeois new aristocracy were called “the Whig Party”, while those who represented the interests of the old aristocracy were called “the Tories” (Conservative Party; Tory was an insulting word of Irishmen meaning “outlaw”). Although both parties were still limited to parliamentary activities and did not have national public organizations and systems, they were the earliest origins of the British political parties.

In the 1760s, the Industrial Revolution broke out in Britain. During this period, capitalism developed rapidly with continuous changes within the bourgeoisie. Under such circumstances, the Tories became the political representative of the landowners and then changed to the Conservative Party in 1833. In 1839, representing the interests of the industrial bourgeoisie, the Whig Party changed their name to the Liberal Party, striving for votes, and gaining a majority in parliament. It broke through the narrow scopes of parliament to compete for the growth of its organization throughout the country, and established its own electoral associations and other institutions. By the middle of the 19^th century, both parties had established national party organizations and constructed their own organizational systems, resulting in the emergence of two major political parties directly related to modern Britain.