Upcoming elections:

United Kingdom: Political parties at a glance

Parties in comparison

Liberal
Socialist
Capitalist
Conservative

Explanation of the chart

The graph shows the economic orientation of the parties on the X-axis from left to right. The further left, the more actively the state should intervene via taxes, regulations and redistribution. The further to the right, the less the state should intervene.

On the Y-axis from top to bottom, the parties are categorized according to their life models. The further up a party, the more it prioritizes liberal lifestyles over traditional views and material goods. The further down, the more a party aligns itself with traditional lifestyles and sees the state as the moral authority for living together.

Data was collected through the 2019 Chapel Hill Expert Survey by more than 400 policy experts. Party positions may change over time. Therefore, the chart serves only as an overview and cannot make statements about specific political topics.

Ryan Bakker, Liesbet Hooghe, Seth Jolly, Gary Marks, Jonathan Polk, Jan Rovny, Marco Steenbergen, and Milada Anna Vachudova. 2020. “2019 Chapel Hill Expert Survey.” - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Labour

Labour Party
Centre-left
?
EU Parliament
Government

Labour (Labour Party) is a center-left party that is currently represented in the parliament with 411 MPs.

Labour emphasizes social justice, equality of opportunity, and addressing social inequalities. They advocate for the British National Health Service (NHS) and education for all.

Tories

Conservative and Unionist Party
Centre-right
?
EU Parliament
Opposition

Tories (Conservative Party) is a center-right party and currently represented in parliament with 121 MPs.

The Tories emphasize individual freedom, free-market capitalism, and limited government intervention in the economy. They value tradition and conservatism.

Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrats
Liberal politics
?
EU Parliament
Opposition

Liberal Democrats is a liberal party that is currently represented in parliament with 72 seats.

The Lib Dems advocate for civil liberties, social justice, and environmental protection. They support liberal and progressive values.

Scottish National Party

Scottish National Party
Regional interests
G/EFA
EU Parliament
Opposition

Scottish National Party is a regional interest party and currently represented in parliament with 9 MPs.

The SNP advocates for Scottish independence, social justice, and environmental protection. It emphasizes the importance of Scottish interests and self-determination.

Sinn Féin

We Ourselves
Regional interests
LEFT
EU Parliament
Opposition

Sinn Féin is a regional interest party and currently represented in parliament with 7 MPs.

Democratic Unionist Party

Democratic Unionist Party
Centre-right
NI
EU Parliament
Opposition

Democratic Unionist Party is a center-right party that is currently represented in parliament with 5 seats.

Reform UK

Reform UK
Right-wing
?
EU Parliament
Opposition

Reform UK is a right-wing party that is currently represented in parliament with 5 seats.

Reform UK emphasizes the sovereignty of the United Kingdom, Brexit, and reducing state interference in the daily lives of citizens.

Green Party

Green Party
Environment & Climate
?
EU Parliament
Opposition

Green Party is a green party that is currently represented in the parliament with 4 MPs.

The Greens place a strong emphasis on environmental protection, social justice, sustainability, and democracy. They advocate for a green economy and social equality.

Plaid Cymru

Party of Wales
Regional interests
?
EU Parliament
Opposition

Plaid Cymru is a regional interest party that is currently represented in the parliament with 4 MPs.

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Social Democratic and Labour Party
Regional interests
S&D
EU Parliament
Opposition

Social Democratic and Labour Party is a regional interest party that is currently represented in the parliament with 2 MPs.

Reclaim

The Reclaim Party
Right-wing
?
EU Parliament
No seats

Reclaim (The Reclaim Party) is a right-wing party from United Kingdom.