This thesis offers a qualitative descriptive analysis to explain what drivers affect the development of Euroscepticism within the Conservative Party (UK) between 1990 and 2016. Three drivers are...Show moreThis thesis offers a qualitative descriptive analysis to explain what drivers affect the development of Euroscepticism within the Conservative Party (UK) between 1990 and 2016. Three drivers are found to have enormous impact on Conservative Euroscepticism. These are as follows: inner party divide, radical right threat and issue salience within party strategy. The Conservatives became increasingly divided over European integration throughout the time frame. Through the attempts to mend this divide by Conservative leaders, most importantly John Major and David Cameron, they increasingly adopted harsher Eurosceptic policies to please their pro/anti EU divided party. UKIP, a radical right party, experienced electoral success throughout the time frame, which is seen as a threat towards the Conservatives, and thus a driver of Conservative Euroscepticism. Lastly, UKIP’s success largely interplays with issue salience. This thesis sees issue salience as a driver of Conservative Euroscepticism, as both parties adopted shifts in political strategy in order to compete for electoral success in light of EU issue salience. All three factors interplay; meaning the one affects the other.Show less
Politics in the United Kingdom (UK) has historically been dominated by the two largest political parties, with minor parties having struggled due to various political and institutional barriers....Show morePolitics in the United Kingdom (UK) has historically been dominated by the two largest political parties, with minor parties having struggled due to various political and institutional barriers. This thesis analyses the major barriers which minor parties face in the UK, namely the Single Member Plurality (SMP) electoral system, the lack of state funding and unequal media representation. These barriers will be analysed by examining the Green Party of England and Wales, a party which has seen its support increase a great deal in recent decades, yet has failed to experience much success in national elections. This thesis concludes by analysing the different strategies which the party has utilised in reaction to the barriers which they face.Show less
