The Electoral Commission's Register of Political Parties[1] lists the details of political parties registered to fight elections in the United Kingdom, including their registered name. Under current electoral law, including the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998, the Electoral Administration Act 2006, and the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, only registered party names can be used on ballot papers by those wishing to fight elections. Candidates who do not belong to a registered party can use "independent" or no label at all. As of 2 August 2019, the Electoral Commission showed the number of registered political parties in Great Britain and Northern Ireland as 408.[2]

Before the middle of the 19th century, politics in the United Kingdom was dominated by the Whigs and the Tories. These were not political parties in the modern sense but somewhat loose alliances of interests and individuals. The Whigs included many of the leading aristocratic dynasties committed to the Protestant succession, and later drew support from elements of the emerging industrial interests and wealthy merchants, while the Tories were associated with the landed gentry, the Church of England and the Church of Scotland.

By the mid 19th century, the Tories had evolved into the Conservative Party, and the Whigs had evolved into the Liberal Party. The concept of right and left came originally from France, where the supporters of a monarchy (constitutional or absolute) sat on the right wing of the National Assembly, and republicans on the left. In the late 19th century, the Liberal Party began to lean towards the left. Liberal Unionists split off from the Liberals over Irish Home Rule and moved closer to the Conservatives over time.

The Liberals and Conservatives dominated the political scene until the 1920s, when the Liberal Party declined in popularity and suffered a long stream of resignations. It was replaced as the main anti-Tory opposition party by the newly emerging Labour Party, which represented an alliance between the labour movement, organised trades unions and various socialist societies.

Since then, the Conservative and Labour parties have dominated British politics, and have alternated in government ever since. However, the UK is not quite a two-party system as other parties have significant support. The Liberal Democrats were the third largest party until the 2015 general election when they were overtaken by the Scottish National Party in terms of seats and UK political party membership, and by the UK Independence Party (UKIP) in terms of votes.

House of Commons chamber
House of Lords chamber

The UK's first-past-the-post electoral system leaves small parties disadvantaged on a UK-wide scale. It can, however, allow parties with concentrations of supporters in the constituent countries to flourish. In the 2015 election, there was widespread controversy[3][4][5] when the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and the Green Party of England and Wales received 4.9 million votes[6] (12.6% of the total vote for UKIP and 3.8% for the Greens) yet only gained one seat each in the House of Commons. After that election, UKIP, the Liberal Democrats, the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru, and the Green Party of England and Wales, together with its Scottish and Northern Ireland affiliated parties, delivered a petition signed by 477,000[7] people to Downing Street demanding electoral reform.

Since 1997, proportional representation-based voting systems have been adopted for elections to the Scottish Parliament, the Senedd (Welsh Parliament), the Northern Ireland Assembly, the London Assembly and (until Brexit in 2020) the UK's seats in the European Parliament. In these bodies, other parties have had success.

Traditionally political parties have been private organisations with no official recognition by the state. The Registration of Political Parties Act 1998 changed that by creating a register of parties.

Membership of political parties has been in decline in the UK since the 1950s, falling by over 65% from 1983 (4% of the electorate) to 2005 (1.3%).[8]

Parties with representation in the House of Commons

Party Founded Political
position		 Ideology Leader House of
Commons		 House of
Lords		 Holyrood Senedd Stormont London
Assembly		 Local
government[9]
Conservative and Unionist Party 1834
Centre-right
to right-wing		 Conservatism
Economic liberalism
British unionism		 Rishi Sunak
350 / 650
261 / 824
[Note 1]
31 / 129
16 / 60
 —
9 / 25
5,589 / 19,103
Labour Party 1900
1917 (Co-op)		 Centre-left Social democracy
Democratic socialism		 Keir Starmer
198 / 650
[Note 2][Note 3]
168 / 824
[Note 4] [Note 1]
22 / 129
[Note 5]
30 / 60
[Note 6]		 —
11 / 25
[Note 7]
6,364 / 19,103
Scottish National Party (SNP) 1934 Centre-left Scottish nationalism
Scottish independence
Social democracy
Pro-Europeanism		 Humza Yousaf
43 / 650
 —
63 / 129
 — — —
429 / 19,103
Liberal Democrats 1988 Centre to
centre-left		 Liberalism
Social liberalism
Pro-Europeanism		 Ed Davey
15 / 650
84 / 824
[Note 1]
4 / 129
1 / 60
 —
2 / 25
2,984 / 19,103
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) 1971 Right-wing British unionism
British nationalism
Right-wing populism
Euroscepticism		 Jeffrey Donaldson
8 / 650
5 / 824
[Note 1]		 — —
25 / 90
 —
122 / 19,103
Sinn Féin 1905 (original)
1970 (current)		 Centre-left
to left-wing		 Irish republicanism
Democratic socialism
Left-wing nationalism		 Mary Lou McDonald
7 / 650
[Note 8]		 — — —
27 / 90
 —
144 / 19,103
Plaid Cymru 1925 Centre-left
to left-wing		 Welsh nationalism
Welsh independence
Democratic socialism
Social democracy		 Rhun ap Iorwerth
3 / 650
1 / 824
[Note 1]		 —
13 / 60
 — —
204 / 19,103
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) 1970 Centre-left Social democracy
Irish nationalism		 Colum Eastwood
2 / 650
 — — —
8 / 90
 —
39 / 19,103
Alba Party 2021 — Scottish nationalism
Scottish independence		 Alex Salmond
2 / 650
[Note 9]		 —
1 / 129
 — — —
1 / 19,103
Green Party of England and Wales 1990 Left-wing Green politics
Progressivism
Pro-Europeanism		 Carla Denyer,
Adrian Ramsay
(co-leaders)
1 / 650
2 / 824
[Note 1]		 — — —
3 / 25
744 / 19,103
[10][11]
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland 1970 Centre to
centre-left		 Liberalism
Nonsectarianism
Pro-Europeanism		 Naomi Long
1 / 650
 — — —
17 / 90
 —
67 / 19,103

Parties without representation in the House of Commons, but with representation in other UK legislatures

There are a number of political parties in the United Kingdom that do not have representation in the House of Commons, but have elected representatives in the Northern Ireland Assembly and Scottish Parliament These are:

Party descriptions

Party Description
Conservative and Unionist Party A party loosely divided into three categories; the Thatcherites, who strongly support a free market with restrained government spending and tend to be Eurosceptic, the Cornerstone Group, who advocate for the preservation of established institutions and traditional principles, and the One Nation Conservatives.
Labour Party A social democratic party with democratic socialist elements that has its roots in the trade union movement. The party has several internal factions, which include: Momentum, Open Labour, Progressive Britain, Blue Labour, and the Labour members standing jointly with the Co-operative Party (as Labour and Co-operative).
Scottish National Party Scottish nationalist and social democratic party which supports Scottish independence and membership of the European Union or further devolution for Scotland.
Co-operative Party A party that promotes cooperative principles and values, and provides political representation for the British co-operative movement. Since 1927 has been in an electoral alliance with the Labour party, standing joint candidates (under the Labour and Co-operative description).
Liberal Democrats A liberal party; its main branches are social liberals based around groups such as 'Social Liberal Forum', and the more centrist 'Liberal Reform' grouping, which believes that economic liberalism should be emphasised more. There is also a social democratic faction and influence within the party. Supports re-joining the European Union.
Democratic Unionist Party British Unionist and socially conservative, national conservative political party in Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin Irish republican party dedicated to the reunification of Ireland and the creation of a new republic based on democratic socialist values.
Plaid Cymru Democratic socialist, social democratic, Welsh nationalist party in favour of Welsh independence or further devolution for Wales.
Social Democratic and Labour Party Irish nationalist and social-democratic party supporting a United Ireland.
Ulster Unionist Party A conservative and Unionist party in Northern Ireland.
Green Party of England and Wales Green political party that favours environmentalism, progressivism and sustainability.
Scottish Greens Green political party in favour of Scottish independence and Scottish republicanism.
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland Liberal and nonsectarian political party in Northern Ireland.
Traditional Unionist Voice Strongly social and national conservative unionist party in Northern Ireland.
People Before Profit A socialist and Trotskyist party that is active in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Alba Party A pro-Scottish independence and Scottish nationalist party founded in February 2021.

Elected representatives at principal level of local government in the United Kingdom

Nationwide

Party Founded Political position Ideology Leader Local authorities Councillors[14]
Liberal Party 1989 Centre Liberalism (British), Euroscepticism Steve Radford Liverpool, North Yorkshire, Test Valley 5
Reform UK 2018 Right-wing Right-wing populism, Euroscepticism Richard Tice Barnsley, Derby, Sunderland, Derbyshire, Hastings 5
Social Democratic Party (SDP) 1990 Fiscal: Centre-left
Social: Centre-right		 Social democracy, Social conservatism, Communitarianism, Euroscepticism William Clouston Leeds City Council 2
National Flood Prevention Party 2011 — Single-issue Ewan Larcombe Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council 1

National and regional

Party Founded Political position Ideology Leader Local authorities Councillors[15]
Green Party Northern Ireland 1981 Centre-left Green politics, Nonsectarianism, Pro-Europeanism Malachai O'Hara Ards and North Down, Belfast 5[16]
Mebyon Kernow 1951 Centre-left Cornish nationalism, Civic nationalism, Regionalism,
Social democracy, Environmentalism, Pro-Europeanism		 Dick Cole Cornwall[17] 5
Yorkshire Party 2014 Centre to centre-left Yorkshire regionalism, Social democracy Bob Buxton East Riding, Selby, North Yorkshire 3
North East Party 2014 Centre to centre-left Regionalism, Progressivism Mark Burdon Durham 2[18]
Gwlad 2018 Centre-right Welsh nationalism, Welsh independence Gwyn Wigley Evans Ceredigion County Council 1
Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) 1979 Centre-left British unionism, Democratic socialism, Social democracy Russell Watton Causeway Coast and Glens 1
Propel 2020 — Welsh nationalism, Welsh independence, Localism, Sovereignism, Anti-nuclearism Neil McEvoy Cardiff, Gwynedd, Neath Port Talbot 1

Local

Party Leader Local authorities Councillors[19]
Ashfield Independents Jason Zadrozny Ashfield, Nottinghamshire 42
Residents for Uttlesford Petrina Lees Uttlesford, Essex County Council 24
Aspire Kalam Mahmud Abu Taher Choudhury Tower Hamlets Council 24
Boston Independents Anne Dorrian Boston Borough Council 18
Havering Residents Association Havering London Borough Council 18
Canvey Island Independent Party David Blackwell Castle Point, Essex 17
South Holland Independents South Holland District, Lincolnshire County Council 17
Farnham Residents No leader Surrey County Council, Waverley 16
Loughton Residents Association — Epping Forest District, Essex County Council 14
Lincolnshire Independents Marianne Overton Lincolnshire 13
The People's Independent Party Castle Point 13
Swale Independents Mike Baldock Swale Borough Council 13
Community Campaign (Hart) Hart District Council 10
West Suffolk Independents Victor Lukaniuk Suffolk County Council 10
Ashford Independents Noel Ovenden Ashford 9
South Devon Alliance Teignbridge 9
Tunbridge Wells Alliance Nicholas Pope[20] Tunbridge Wells 9
Basingstoke & Deane Independents Ian Tilbury Basingstoke and Deane 8
Christchurch Independents BCP Council 8
Rochford District Residents No Leader Rochford District, Essex County Council 8
Radcliffe First Metropolitan Borough of Bury 8
Ashtead Independents Chris Hunt Mole Valley, Surrey 7
The Borough First[21] Charles Hollingsworth Windsor and Maidenhead 7
Peterborough First Peterborough City Council 7
Residents for Guildford and Villages Jonathan Bigmore[22] Guildford, Surrey 7[23]
Rother Association of Independent Councillors Rother District Council 7
Stafford Borough Independents Borough of Stafford 7
Whitehill & Bordon Community Party Andy Tree[24] East Hampshire District Council, Hampshire County Council 7
Horwich and Blackrod First Marie Brady Horwich Town Council, Bolton Council 6
Morley Borough Independents Robert Finnigan Leeds City Council 6
Reform Derby Derby City Council 6
Derwentside Independents Watts Stelling Durham County Council 5
Local Alliance Chichester City Council, West Sussex County Council 5
Oxted & Limpsfield Residents Group Tandridge District 5
Poole People Party Mark Howell BCP 5
Residents of Wilmslow No Leader Cheshire East Council 5
Skegness Urban District Society East Lindsey 5
St. Neots Independent Group Cambridgeshire County Council, Huntingdonshire County Council 5
Alliance for Local Living Felicity Rice Dorset Council, BCP 4
Henley Residents Group No leader South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire 4
Independent Network City of Chelmsford, Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council 4
Llantwit First Independents Vale of Glamorgan Council 4
Mansfield Independents Martin Wright Mansfield, Nottinghamshire 4
Molesey Residents' Association Stuart Selleck Surrey County Council, Elmbridge Borough Council 4
Nork Residents' Association No leader Reigate and Banstead, Surrey 4
Our West Lancashire Adrian Owens West Lancashire Borough Council 4
The Party Party Durham County Council 4
Portsmouth Independent Party Portsmouth City Council 4
Residents Associations of Epsom and Ewell Keith Lugton Epsom and Ewell, Surrey 4
Runnymede Independent Residents' Group Isabel Mullens Runnymede 4
Stoneliegh and Auriol Residents' Association Epsom and Ewell Borough Council 4
Thames Ditton & Weston Green Residents' Association Graham Cooke[25] Elmbridge Borough Council 4
Thornaby Independent Association No Leader Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council 4
Uplands Party Peter May Swansea Council 4
Chislehurst Matters Bromley Borough Council 3
Edgeley Community Association Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council 3
Esher Residents Association No leader Elmbridge Borough Council 3
Failsworth Independent Party Oldham Council 3
Guildford Greenbelt Group Susan Parker Guildford 3[26]
Garforth and Swillington Independents Party Leeds City Council 3
Harold Wood Hill Park Residents Associations Havering London Borough Council 3
Ingleby Barwick Independent Society Kenneth Dixon Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council 3
Liverpool Community Independents No leader Liverpool City Council 3
Malvern Hills Independents Malvern Hills District 3
Morecambe Bay Independents Roger Dennison Lancaster 3
Newcastle Independents Jason Smith Newcastle City Council 3[27]
Newport Independents Party Kevin Whitehead Newport, South Wales 3
Nottingham Independents Francesco Lari Nottingham City Council, Gedling Borough Council, Nottinghamshire 3
Portishead Independents North Somerset Council 3
Progress and Reform Party Tandridge District 3
Residents' Association of Cuddington Epsom and Ewell Borough Council 3
Tattenhams & Preston Residents No leader Reigate and Banstead, Surrey 3
Thanet Independents Thanet District 3
Werrington First Peterborough City Council 3
Whitnash Residents Assocation Warwick District 3
Belper Independents Amber Valley Borough Council 2
Brighton & Hove Independents Brighton and Hove City Council 2
Community First Rossendale Council 2
Ewell Court Residents' Association Epsom and Ewell Borough Council 2
Farnworth and Kearsley First Peter Flitcroft Bolton Council 2
Halstead Residents' Assocation Braintree District 2
Hinchley Wood Residents Association Saranne Bristow[28] Elmbridge Borough Council 2
Independent Alliance (Kent) Tonbridge and Malling 2
Independents@Swansea City and County of Swansea Council 2
It's Our Country Herefordshire County Council 2
Kingston Independent Residents Group Kingston upon Thames London Borough Council 2
Knowle Community Party Gary Hopkins Bristol City Council 2[29][30][31]
Merton Park Ward Residents Association Peter Southgate Merton London Borough Council 2
Mexborough First City of Doncaster Council 2
Middleton Independents Party Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale 2
Old Windsor Residents' Association Lynne Jones and Malcolm Beer Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council 2
People Against Bureaucracy Malcolm Stennett Cheltenham, Gloucestershire 2
Poole Engage Party Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council 2
Rushcliffe Independents Rushcliffe Borough Council 2
Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents' Association Peter Martin Harman Dartford Borough Council 2
Tewkesbury and Twyning Independents No Leader Tewkesbury Borough Council 2
The Walton Society No leader Elmbridge Borough Council 2
Tytherington Ward Independents Cheshire East Council 2
West Windsor Residents Association Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council 2
Weybridge & St. George's Independents no leader Elmbridge Borough Council 2
Alderley Edge First Mike Dudley-Jones Cheshire East 1
Blue Revolution Boston Borough Council 1
British Unionists North Lanarkshire Council 1
City Independent No Leader Stoke-on-Trent City Council 1[32]
East Cleveland Independent No leader Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council 1
Edlington and Warmsworth First Doncaster Council 1
Independent Union Shane Moore Hartlepool 1[33]
Movement for Active Democracy Portsmouth City Council 1
One Kearsley Paul Heslop Bolton Council 1
Our Island Isle of Wight Council 1
Rotherham Democratic Party Allen Cowles Rotherham 1
Tendring First Tendring District 1
The Best for Luton Party Borough of Elmbridge 1
The Rubbish Party Sally Cogley East Ayrshire 1
Thurrock Independents Graham Snell Thurrock 1
Upminster and Cranham Residents' Association Linda Hawthorn Havering London Borough Council 1[34]
West Dunbartonshire Community Party Drew MacEoghainn West Dunbartonshire Council 1[35]
Wickford Independents No leader Basildon Borough Council 1

No elected representation at principal level

This is a table of notable minor parties. Many parties are registered with the Electoral Commission but do not qualify for this list as they have not received significant independent coverage. Parties active across Ireland may have representation in the Republic of Ireland but not Northern Ireland.

Party Leader Ideology Political position
4 Freedoms Party (UK EEP) Dirk Hazell Conservatism, pro-Europeanism Centre-right
5 Star Direct Democracy Party Collective Leadership Direct democracy, Euroscepticism —
Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party Richard Suchorzewski Welsh Parliament abolition —
Animal Welfare Party (AWP) Vanessa Hudson Animal welfare —
Aontú (Minor party in the Republic of Ireland) Peadar Tóibín Anti-abortion, Irish republicanism, social conservatism, Soft Euroscepticism Fiscal:Centre-left
Social:Centre-right
Breakthrough Party Alex Mays Left-wing Democratic socialism
Britain First Paul Golding British fascism, neo-fascism, ultranationalism, British unionism, anti-Islam, Euroscepticism Far-right
British Democrats (BDP) Far-right[36] British nationalism, Christian nationalism, hard Euroscepticism, national conservatism, right-wing populism, ultranationalism
British National Party (BNP) Adam Walker British fascism, right-wing populism, white nationalism, ethnic nationalism, ultranationalism, hard Euroscepticism Far-right
Burning Pink Roger Hallam Environmentalism —
Christian Party Jeff Green Christian right, Euroscepticism, social conservatism, British unionism Right-wing
Christian Peoples Alliance (CPA) Sidney Cordle Christian right, social conservatism, Euroscepticism Right-wing
Church of the Militant Elvis Party David Bishop Political satire —
Climate Party Centre-right Green conservatism
The Common Good Dick Rodgers Christian democracy, Social conservatism, Anti-Islam Right-wing
Communist League No clear leader Communism, Euroscepticism Far-left
Communist Party of Britain (CPB) Robert Griffiths Communism, Marxism–Leninism Far-left
Communist Party of Britain
(Marxist–Leninist) (CPB-ML)		 No clear leader Communism, Marxism–Leninism, hard Euroscepticism Far-left
Communist Party of Great Britain
(Marxist–Leninist) (CPGB-ML)		 Ella Rule Communism, Marxism–Leninism, Stalinism, anti-revisionism, anti-Zionism,[37] Hard Euroscepticism[38] Far-left
Communist Party of Great Britain
(Provisional Central Committee)		 Collective leadership Communism, Leninism, anti-Stalinism Far-left
Cornish Nationalist Party Unknown Cornish nationalism, Cornish devolution, pan-Celticism Right-wing
Cross-Community Labour Alternative Owen McCracken Democratic socialism, trade unionism, nonsectarianism, eco-socialism Left-wing
English Democrats Robin Tilbrook English nationalism, English parliamentary devolution, Euroscepticism Right-wing to far-right
Devizes Guardians Nigel Carter
Éirígí Brian Leeson Socialism, Irish republicanism, anti-imperialism, Euroscepticism, environmentalism Left-wing to far-left
Equal Parenting Alliance Ray Barry Fathers' rights movement —
Fianna Fáil
(Major party in the Republic of Ireland)		 Micheál Martin Conservatism, Christian democracy, Irish nationalism, pro-Europeanism Centre to centre-right
Heritage Party David Kurten Euroscepticism, British nationalism, British unionism, right-wing populism, social conservatism Right-wing
Independence for Scotland Party (ISP) Colette Walker Scottish independence
Independent Working Class Association None Workerism Far-left economically
Right-wing socially
Independents for Frome Richard Ackroyd
Irish Republican Socialist Party Collective leadership Irish republicanism, Communism, Marxism-Leninism, Anti-globalisation, hard Euroscepticism Far-left
Lewisham People Before Profit Patricia Richardson Socialism, Localism Left-wing
Left Unity Sharon McCourt
Joseph Healy
Nick Jones
(Principal Speakers)		 Socialism, anti-capitalism, environmentalism,
feminism, anti-racism, pro-Europeanism		 Left-wing
Libertarian Party Adam Brown Libertarianism, classical liberalism —
Llais Gwynedd Owain Williams Gwynedd regionalism —
London Black Revolutionaries Unknown Anti-capitalism, anti-fascism, anti-imperialism, revolutionary socialism, anti-racism Far-left
Militant Left Unknown Socialism, Trotskyism, democratic socialism Far-left
National Health Action Party (NHA) Alastair Fischer and Veronika Wagner Re-nationalisation of the NHS,
environmentalism, anti-austerity, reformism
National Front (NF) Tony Martin Fascism, neo-fascism, British nationalism, white supremacism
Factions: Neo-Nazism, right-wing populism, Third Positionism		 Far-right
National Liberal Party Upkar Singh Rai Euroscepticism Far-right
New Communist Party of Britain Andy Brooks Communism, Marxism-Leninism, anti-revisionism, hard Euroscepticism Far-left
Northern Independence Party (NIP) Philip Proudfoot and Evie McGovern Northern independence, democratic socialism Left-wing
Official Monster Raving Loony Party (OMRLP) Alan "Howling Laud" Hope Political satirism
Peace Party John Morris Pacifism, environmentalism
Pirate Party Lucy Maber Pirate politics, civil libertarianism —
Reclaim Party Laurence Fox Right-wing populism Right-wing
Republican Network for Unity Gary McNally Irish republicanism, socialism Left-wing
Republican Sinn Féin Seosamh Ó Maoileoin Irish republicanism, Irish nationalism, Éire Nua, socialism, Euroscepticism, abstentionism, secularism Left-wing
Revolutionary Communist Party of
Britain (Marxist–Leninist) (RCPB-ML)		 Chris Coleman Communism, anti-revisionism, Hoxhaism, Marxism–Leninism Far-left
Saoradh Collective leadership Irish republicanism, dissident republicanism, revolutionary socialism, hard Euroscepticism, anti-imperialism Far-left
Science Party Michael Brooks Technocracy —
Scottish Democratic Alliance (SDA) Robert Lamb Watson Scottish independence, Hard Euroscepticism Centre-right
Scottish Libertarian Party Tam Laird Libertarianism, classical liberalism, minarchism, Scottish independence, Euroscepticism —
Scottish Socialist Party Collective leadership Democratic socialism, Scottish independence, Scottish republicanism Left-wing
Scottish Unionist Party (SUP) Daniel Houston Scottish unionism, British unionism, anti-Scottish Parliament —
Socialist Alternative No clear leader Marxism, Trotskyism, revolutionary socialism, socialist feminism, Internationalism Far-left
Socialist Equality Party No clear leader Trotskyism Far-left
Socialist Labour Party (SLP) Arthur Scargill Socialism, fiscal localism, republicanism, hard Euroscepticism Left-wing
Socialist Party (England and Wales) Hannah Sell Revolutionary socialism, Trotskyism, Marxism Far-left
Socialist Party (Ireland) Collective leadership Democratic socialism, political radicalism, Trotskyism, Euroscepticism Left-wing to far-left
Socialist Party of Great Britain (SPGB) Collective leadership Socialism, Orthodox Marxism, Impossibilism Far-left
Socialist Party Scotland No clear leader Socialism, Trotskyism, trade unionism Far-left
Socialist Workers Party (SWP) Collective leadership Trotskyism Far-left
Solidarity Federation Collective leadership Anarchism Left-wing to Far-left
Something New Dr James Smith Syncretic Centre
Syncretic
Spartacist League of Britain Unclear Trotskyism Far-left
Taking The Initiative Party (TTIP) Charles Gordon and Sasha Johnson Anti-racism
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) Dave Nellist Trade unionism, socialism Left-wing to far-left
Transform Collective leadership Eco-socialism, democratic socialism, progressivism Left-wing
UK Independence Party (UKIP) Neil Hamilton Euroscepticism,[39][40] Right-wing populism,[40][41] National conservatism,[42] Economic liberalism,[40] British nationalism[43] Right-wing[44] to far-right[45][46][47]
Veterans and People's Party (VPP) Robin Horsfall Right-wing populism, British nationalism, hard Euroscepticism, paternalistic conservatism Right-wing
Volt UK Philipp Gnatzy Pro-Europeanism, European federalism, social liberalism, progressivism Centre to centre-left
Wessex Regionalists Jim Gunter Wessex regionalism, agrarianism —
Whig Party Waleed Ghani Pro-Europeanism, social progressivism, Whiggism Centre
Women's Equality Party (WEP) data-sort-value="" style="background: #ececec; color: #2C2C2C; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | — Feminism
Workers Party of Britain (WPB) George Galloway
Workers' Party (Ireland) Michael Donnelly Communism, Marxism–Leninism, Irish republicanism, Euroscepticism Far-left
Workers' Power National Committee Trotskyism Far-left
Workers Revolutionary Party Joshua Ogunleye Trotskyism, Euroscepticism, Healyism Far-left

Defunct parties

Party Foundation/
dissolution		 Leader at dissolution Ideology Political position
Advance Together 2017–2020 Annabel Mullin Social liberalism, Subsidiarity, Reformism, Pro-Europeanism Centre
Anti-Federalist League
(Later became what is now UKIP)		 1991–1993 Alan Sked Euroscepticism Right-wing
Blaenau Gwent People's Voice 2005–2010 No clear leader Localism, Populism —
Borders Party 2006–2020 Frances Pringle Localism —
Boston Bypass Independents 2006–2011 Richard Austin Localism —
Britannica Party 2011–2020 Charles Baillie British Fascism, Right-wing populism Far-right
British First Party 2007 Kevin Quinn Neo-Nazism, White nationalism, White supremacy Far-right
British Freedom Party (BFP) 2010–2012 Kevin Carroll British nationalism, Euroscepticism, Anti-Islam Far-right
Burnley and Padiham Independent Party 2017–2023 Mark Payne Localism —
Cannabis Is Safer Than Alcohol (CISTA) 2015–2016 Paul Birch Cannabis legalisation —
Class War 2014–2015 No clear leader Anarchism Left-wing to far-left
Community Action Party 2002–2016 Michael Moulding Environmentalism, Localism Centre-left
Communist Party of Scotland 1992–2017(?) No clear leader Communism, Marxism-Leninism, Scottish independence Far-left
The Community Group (Hounslow) 1994–2016 Ian Speed Localism —
Countryside Party 2000–2008 No clear leader Agrarianism, Conservatism Right-wing
Democratic Alliance of Wales 1999–2008 Mike German Localism —
Democratic Labour 1972–1979 Dick Taverne Social democracy Centre-left
Democratic Party 1998–2010 Geoff Southall Euroscepticism, Direct democracy Right-wing
East Kilbride Alliance 2007–2012 No clear leader Localism Centre-left
Ecology Party 1975–1985 Tony Whittaker Green politics Left-wing
England First 2003–2012 Mark Cotterill Ethnic nationalism, English nationalism,
English independence, Euroscepticism		 Far-right
Fancy Dress Party 1979–2017 Steven Fumpleton Political satire —
Fellowship Party 1955–2007 Sidney Fagan Environmentalism, Pacifism, Christian socialism Left-wing
Fishing Party (Scotland) 2003–2004 George Geddes Single-issue —
For Britain Movement 2017–2022 Anne Marie Waters Anti-Islam, Right-wing populism, British nationalism,
National conservatism, Hard Euroscepticism		 Far-right
For Darwen Party 2007–2013 Stephen Potter Localism, Hard Euroscepticism Right-wing
Forward Wales 2003–2010 John Marek Socialism, Welsh nationalism Left-wing
Freedom Party 2000–2006 Adrian Davies Anti-immigration, Protectionism Right-wing to far-right
Free Party 1997–2005 No clear leader Political satire "Slack"
Green Party UK
Predecessor of the GPEW, SGP, and GPNI.		 1985–1990 Tom Wood Green politics Left-wing
Glasgow First 2012–2015 Gerrard McCue Social democracy Centre-left
Harold Hill Independent[48] 2017–2018 Lorraine Moss Localism —
Heavy Woollen District Independents 2017-2022 Aleksandar Lukic Localism —
Highlands and Islands Alliance 1998–2004 Lorraine Mann Localism, Regionalism, Soft Euroscepticism —
Independence from Europe 2012–2017 Mike Nattrass Euroscepticism, State ownership,
Direct democracy, English devolution		 Right-wing
The Independent Group for Change 2019 Anna Soubry Centrism, Pro-Europeanism Centre
Independent Community and Health Concern 2001-2021 No clear leader Localism
Independent Working Class Association (IWCA) 1995–2020 No clear leader Socialism, Localism Left-wing
Islamic Party of Britain 1989–2006 David Musa Pidcock Islamism Third position
Jury Team 2009–2011 Sir Paul Judge Nonpartisan politics, Localism, Direct democracy Big tent
Legalise Cannabis Alliance 1997–2013 Peter Reynolds Cannabis legalisation, Drug policy reform —
Left List 2008–2010 Collective leadership Socialism Left-wing
Liberal Party
(Merged with SDP to make Liberal Democrats)		 1859–1988 David Steel[Note 12] Liberalism, Classical liberalism, Social liberalism Centre
Liberty GB 2013–2017 Paul Weston Hard Euroscepticism, Right-wing populism,
British nationalism, Social conservatism		 Far-right
Make Politicians History 2005–2009 Ronnie Carroll Anti-Parliamentarianism —
MP3 Party 2002–2007 Ruslan Fedorovsky Political satire —
National Democrats (ND) 1995–2011 No clear leader British nationalism, Right-wing populism, Third positionism,
Euroscepticism, National conservatism		 Far-right
Nationalist Alliance 2005–2008 Catherine Parker-Brown White supremacy Far-right
Natural Law Party (NLP) 1992–2004 No clear leader Pro-Transcendental Meditation —
New Deal 2013–2015 Alan Sked Euroscepticism, Social liberalism Centre-left
New Party 2003–2010 Richard Vass Neoliberalism, Economic liberalism, Internationalism,
Euroscepticism, Right-libertarianism		 Right-wing
No2EU 2009–2014 No clear leader Euroscepticism, Socialism Left-wing
No Candidate Deserves My Vote! 2000–2012 Amanda Ringwood Electoral reform, None of the above —
Northern Ireland Women's Coalition (NIWC) 1996–2006 Monica McWilliams
Pearl Sagar		 Feminism, Nonsectarianism —
Northern Party 2015–2016 Michael Dawson Northern England Regionalism —
NI21 2013–2016 Basil McCrea Ulster unionism, Social liberalism, Secularism,
Nonsectarianism, Pro-Europeanism		 Centre
One London 2005–2008 Damian Hockney Euroscepticism Right-wing
Orkney Manifesto Group 2013-2022 Rachael King Localism —
Peace and Progress Party 2004–2015 Chris Cooper Human rights —
Pro-Euro Conservative Party 1999–2001 John Stevens
Brendan Donnelly		 One-nation conservatism, Liberal conservatism,
Pro-Europeanism		 Centre to centre-right
ProLife Alliance 1996–2004 Josephine Quintavalle
Bruno Quintavalle		 Anti-abortion Single-issue
Protestant Coalition 2013–2015 Robert McKee Irish unionism, Ulster loyalism, British nationalism,
Christian fundamentalism, Christian right		 Far-right
Raving Loony Green Giant Party 1989–1993 Stuart Hughes Environmentalism, Political satire —
Referendum Party 1994–1997 James Goldsmith Euroscepticism Single-issue
Renew Party 2017–2022 James Clarke Pro-Europeanism Centre
Respect Party 2004–2016 George Galloway Anti-war, Socialism, Anti-capitalism, Anti-imperialism,
Anti-Zionism, Euroscepticism		 Left-wing to far-left
RISE – Scotland's Left Alliance 2015–2020 Jonathon Shafi Anti-capitalism, Eco-socialism, Scottish independence, Scottish republicanism Left-wing
Rock 'n' Roll Loony Party 2000–2007 Chris Driver Political satire —
Scotia Future 2020–2023 Chic Brodie Scottish independence —
Scottish Enterprise Party
(Now Scottish Democratic Alliance)		 2004–2009 Robert Lamb Watson Scottish independence, Hard Euroscepticism Centre-right
Scottish Jacobite Party 2005–2007 &
2010–2011		 John Black Scottish independence, Scottish republicanism,
Euroscepticism		 —
Scottish Voice 2007–2012 Archie Stirling — Centre-right
Social Democratic Alliance (SDA) 1975–1981 No clear leader Social democracy, Anti-communism Centre to centre-left
Social Democratic Party (SDP)
(Merged with old Liberal Party
to make Liberal Democrats)		 1981–1988 Robert Maclennan[Note 13] Social democracy, Social liberalism Centre
Socialist People's Party (Furness) 1995–2015 Jim Hamezian Socialism Left-wing
Solidarity 2006–2021 Tommy Sheridan Socialism, Scottish independence, Scottish republicanism, Euroscepticism Left-wing to far-left
Tower Hamlets First 2013–2015 Lutfur Rahman Social democracy, Localism Centre-left
Trust Party 2010–2011 Stuart Wheeler Soft Euroscepticism Right-wing
UK European Union Party 2019–2021 Pierre Kirk Pro-Europeanism, Cultural liberalism, Social liberalism,
Fiscal conservatism		 Centre
UK Unionist Party (UKUP) 1995–2008 Robert McCartney British unionism, Nonsectarianism, Integrationism Centre-right
Ulster Popular Unionist Party 1980–1995 James Kilfedder British unionism, Pro-devolution Centre-right
United in Europe 2014–2015 Charles Cormack Liberalism, Pro-Europeanism Centre-left
United Kingdom First Party 2009–2010 Robin Page Populism, Euroscepticism Right-wing
United Ulster Unionist Party (UUUP) 1975–1984 Ernest Baird Ulster loyalism Right-wing
Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party (VUPP) 1972–1978 William Craig British nationalism, Ulster loyalism Right-wing to far-right
Veritas 2005–2015 Therese Muchewicz Right-wing populism, Euroscepticism Right-wing
We Demand a Referendum Now (WDARN) 2012–2014 Nikki Sinclaire Euroscepticism Single-issue
White Nationalist Party (WNP) 2002–2005 No clear leader White nationalism, Neo-fascism, White supremacy Far-right

Historical parties

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Including absent, suspended and temporarily disqualified members.
  2. ↑ Including 27 as Lab Co-op.
  3. ↑ The Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, is not included in this tally as the speaker stands in the election as "Speaker seeking re-election" and no longer has ties with their original party.
  4. ↑ Including 16 as Lab Co-op.
  5. ↑ Including 11 as Lab Co-op.
  6. ↑ Including 16 as Lab Co-op.
  7. ↑ All 11 as Lab Co-op.
  8. ↑ Sinn Fein operate a policy of Abstentionism and do not take their Commons seats
  9. ↑ Both of the Alba Party's MPs were elected for the Scottish National Party (SNP) before leaving to join Alba in 2021.
  10. ↑ Including absent, suspended and temporarily disqualified members.
  11. ↑ Party operates a policy of collective leadership, but Eamonn McCann is listed as the party's leader for the purposes of registration to the UK Electoral Commission.
  12. ↑ The SDP-Liberal Alliance at dissolution was jointly led by Steel as the leader of the Liberal Party and Robert Maclennan as the leader of the SDP.
  13. ↑ The SDP-Liberal Alliance at dissolution was jointly led by David Steel as the leader of the Liberal Party and Maclennan as the leader of the SDP.

References

  1. ↑ "Party Finance – The Electoral Commission : Regulatory issues : Political parties : Registers: Register of political parties". Search.electoralcommission.org.uk. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "Search – The Electoral Commission". electoralcommission.org.uk. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  3. ↑ "Whatever you think of Ukip or the Greens, our electoral system is robbing them". The Daily Telegraph. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  4. ↑ "Green party leader condemns first-past-the-post voting system". 9 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  5. ↑ "General Election 2015: Sixty per cent of people want voting reform, says survey". The Independent. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  6. ↑ "Election 2015". Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  7. ↑ Perraudin, Frances (18 May 2015). "Green party and Ukip join forces to demand electoral overhaul". Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  8. ↑ John Marshall. "Membership of UK political parties, House of Commons, SN/SG/5125; 2009, page 6" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  9. ↑ "Open Council Data UK - compositions councillors parties wards elections emails". opencouncildata.co.uk. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  10. ↑ "Open Council Data UK - compositions councillors parties wards elections emails". opencouncildata.co.uk. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  11. ↑ "Open Council Data UK - compositions councillors parties wards elections emails". opencouncildata.co.uk. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  12. ↑ "Open Council Data UK - compositions councillors parties wards elections emails". opencouncildata.co.uk. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  13. ↑ "Open Council Data UK - compositions councillors parties wards elections emails". opencouncildata.co.uk. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  14. ↑ "Open Council Data UK - compositions councillors parties wards elections emails". opencouncildata.co.uk. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  15. ↑ "Open Council Data UK - compositions councillors parties wards elections emails". opencouncildata.co.uk. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  16. ↑ "Your Councillors". Green Party Northern Ireland. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  17. ↑ "Open Council Data UK - compositions councillors parties wards elections". opencouncildata.co.uk.
  18. ↑ "Your Councillors". democracy.durham.gov.uk. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  19. ↑ "Open Council Data UK - compositions councillors parties wards elections emails". opencouncildata.co.uk. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  20. ↑ "View registration - the Electoral Commission".
  21. ↑ "View registration - The Electoral Commission". search.electoralcommission.org.uk. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  22. ↑ Residents for Guildford and Villages Electoral Commission
  23. ↑ "Election results by party, 5 May 2023". Guildford Borough Council. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  24. ↑ http://www.whitehillbordon.org.uk/
  25. ↑ "View registration - the Electoral Commission".
  26. ↑ "Election results by party, 5 May 2023". Guildford Borough Council. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  27. ↑ "Find Councillor". www.newcastle.gov.uk. 21 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  28. ↑ "View registration - the Electoral Commission".
  29. ↑ Booth, Martin (13 December 2021). "Longstanding Lib Dem Councillors' resignations throw party into turmoil". Bristol24-7. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  30. ↑ Cork, Tristan (13 December 2021). "Bristol has a new political party after two councillors quit theirs to start one up". Bristol Post. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  31. ↑ Ross, Alex (13 December 2021). "Two city councillors quit the Lib Dems to set up new party". Bristol World. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  32. ↑ "Councillors by Party: City Independents". stoke.gov.uk. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  33. ↑ https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/councillors/specificParty/13/hartlepool_independent_union
  34. ↑ Tyler, Marcus. "Benefit information for landlords". www.havering.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  35. ↑ "West Dunbartonshire Community Party". www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  36. ↑ Collins, Matthew (8 February 2013). "Neo-Nazi former BNP members launch new far-right party". New Statesman. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  37. ↑ "Zionism is a racist and antisemitic tool of imperialist policy in the middle east". The Communists. 24 November 2018.
  38. ↑ "Why British workers need a Brexit". CPGB-ML. 1 April 2016.
  39. ↑ Lynch, Whitaker & Loomes 2012, p. 733; Tournier-Sol 2015, pp. 141–42.
  40. 1 2 3 Nordsieck, Wolfram (2017). "United Kingdom". Parties and Elections in Europe. Archived from the original on 9 March 2019.
  41. ↑ Abedi & Lundberg 2009, p. 72; Jones 2011, p. 245; Dolezal 2012, p. 142; Liebert 2012, p. 123; Art 2011, p. 188; Driver 2011, p. 149.
  42. ↑ O'Reilly, Gerry (2019). Aligning Geopolitics, Humanitarian Action and Geography in Times of Conflict. Springer. p. 47.
  43. ↑ "Key Points About a Snap Election in Britain". New York Times. 18 April 2018. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  44. ↑ Schindler, Jörg (16 May 2019). "We Want Fundamental Political Change". Spiegel. Archived from the original on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  45. ↑ Vlastimil Havlík; Vít Hloušek; Petr Kaniok (2017). Europeanised Defiance – Czech Euroscepticism since 2004. Verlag Barbara Budrich. p. 108. ISBN 978-3-8474-1085-0.
  46. ↑ Walker, Peter; Halliday, Josh (3 March 2019). "Revealed: Ukip membership surge shifts party to far right". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  47. ↑ Goodwin, Matthew (3 February 2019). "Angry Brexiteers are splitting into factions as Ukip is taken over by far-right extremists". The Times. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  48. ↑ "View registration - the Electoral Commission".

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