Can a range of views co-exist under one party banner?
Both Britain and America what is known as a 'First-Past-the-Post (FPTP)' electoral system and this means that whoever gets the most votes in one particular area (district, state or constituency) gets 100% of the representation from that area. One of the effects of this is that it means that small parties always suffer and might get 5% of the vote nationally but 0% of the representatives. Because of this, countries with FPTP tend to have two-party systems and a range of views in each party.
Right-wing parties are supported by religious Conservatives, fiscal conservatives and nationalists, whereas left parties are coalitions of Liberals, Socialists and Social-Democrats. In other electoral systems (like the Italian Proportional Representation model) these factions would fight elections as separate organisations. Under FPTP, it's pointless electoral suicide so you might as well try to reform one of these parties from within.
The fact that we live in changing political times puts a strain on main parties and their constituent parts. The Republicans have Tea Party and Trump, the Democrats have Bernie and OAC. British politics has had the Corbyn movement and also both parties are heavily divided by Brexit.
My own view is that factions are OK and that internal debate is necessary. For a political party to be effective, it does need balance and responsibility on both sides though. If you join a party, you should support your candidate, even if they are not your best choice candidate.
Right-wing parties are supported by religious Conservatives, fiscal conservatives and nationalists, whereas left parties are coalitions of Liberals, Socialists and Social-Democrats. In other electoral systems (like the Italian Proportional Representation model) these factions would fight elections as separate organisations. Under FPTP, it's pointless electoral suicide so you might as well try to reform one of these parties from within.
The fact that we live in changing political times puts a strain on main parties and their constituent parts. The Republicans have Tea Party and Trump, the Democrats have Bernie and OAC. British politics has had the Corbyn movement and also both parties are heavily divided by Brexit.
My own view is that factions are OK and that internal debate is necessary. For a political party to be effective, it does need balance and responsibility on both sides though. If you join a party, you should support your candidate, even if they are not your best choice candidate.
41-45, M
