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.

Tories

Conservative and Unionist Party
Centre-right
?
EU Parliament
Government

Tories (Conservative Party) is a center-right party and currently represented in parliament with 365 MPs.

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

Labour

Labour Party
Centre-left
?
EU Parliament
Opposition

Labour (Labour Party) is a center-left party that is currently represented in the parliament with 203 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.

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 48 MPs.

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

Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrats
Liberal politics
?
EU Parliament
Opposition

Liberal Democrats is a liberal party that is currently represented in parliament with 11 seats.

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

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 8 seats.

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.

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.

Alliance

Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
Liberal politics
RE
EU Parliament
Opposition

Alliance (Alliance Party of Northern Ireland) is a liberal party and currently represented in parliament with 1 MPs.

Green Party

Green Party
Environment & Climate
?
EU Parliament
Opposition

Green Party is a green party that is currently represented in the parliament with 1 MPs.

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

Reclaim

The Reclaim Party
Right-wing
?
EU Parliament
No seats

Reclaim (The Reclaim Party) is a right-wing party from website.gb.

Reform UK

Reform UK
Right-wing
?
EU Parliament
No seats

Reform UK is a right-wing party from website.gb.

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

UKIP

UK Independence Party
Right-wing
?
EU Parliament
No seats

UKIP (UK Independence Party) is a right-wing party from website.gb.

Ulster Unionist Party

Ulster Unionist Party
Centre-right
?
EU Parliament
No seats

Ulster Unionist Party is a center-right party from website.gb.