List of political parties in the United Kingdom
This article lists political parties in the United Kingdom.
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Brief history and overview
Before the mid-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. In the late 19th century the Liberal Party began to lean towards the left, and many of the heirs of the Whig tradition became Liberal Unionists and moved closer to the Conservatives on many of the key issues of the 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 by UKIP in terms of votes.
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[1][2][3] when UKIP and the Green Party of England and Wales received 4.9 million votes[4] (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, and the Green Party of England and Wales, together with its Scottish and Northern Ireland affiliated parties, the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru, delivered a petition signed by 477,000[5] people to Downing Street demanding electoral reform.
Since 1997, proportional representation-based voting systems have been adopted for elections to the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the London Assembly and 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%).[6]
Register of political parties
The Electoral Commission's Register of Political Parties[7] lists the details of parties registered to fight elections in the United Kingdom, including their registered name. Under current electoral law, including the Registration of Political Parties Act, 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 3 August 2015[update] the Electoral Commission showed the number of registered political parties in Great Britain and Northern Ireland as 492.[8]
Major parties
Two parties dominate politics in the House of Commons. Each one operates throughout Great Britain (only the Conservative and Unionist Party stands candidates in Northern Ireland). Most of the British Members of the European Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales represent one of these parties:
- Conservative and Unionist Party, centre-right (330 seats in the House of Commons)
- Labour Party, centre-left, a broad social-democratic and democratic socialist party with some third way policies. (232 seats)
- Co-operative Party (all Co-operative Party MPs are also Labour MPs as part of a long-standing electoral agreement)
Political parties with elected representation in the Westminster, devolved and European parliaments
Party Descriptions
†Sinn Féin MPs do not take their seats in the UK House of Commons as they refuse to swear allegiance to the Crown, nor recognise Westminster's right to legislate for any part of Ireland.
Minor parties
Political parties with elected representation at local government level only
Political parties with elected representation at civil parish/community council level only
- Devizes Guardians, has 11 cllrs on Devizes council, Wiltshire[46]
- North East Party, 9 cllrs on Peterlee council.[47]
- Official Monster Raving Loony Party, 7 cllrs.
- Pirate Party, 1 cllr; St Athan.
Political parties with no elected representation
This is a list 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.
Miscellaneous minor UK parties
- 4 Freedoms Party (UK EPP)
- Above and Beyond Party
- Animal Welfare Party
- Jury Team, a "non-party party": an umbrella organisation for Independent candidates
- Libertarian Party
- No Candidate Deserves My Vote
- One Love Party
- Peace Party
- Pirate Party UK
- Populist Party, launched after a split from UKIP.
- Social Democratic Party
- Something New, launched in 2014 with an open source manifesto[48][49]
- Whig Party
- Women's Equality Party, non-partisan feminist party established in 2015. The party has 65,000 members.[50]
- Young People's Party UK
Minor UK left-wing and far-left parties
- Socialist Party of Great Britain (1904–present)
- Communist Party of Britain (Marxist-Leninist) (1968–present)
- Workers' Revolutionary Party (1973–present)
- Revolutionary Communist Group (1974–present)
- New Communist Party (1977–present)
- Socialist Workers Party (1977–present)
- Revolutionary Communist Party of Britain (Marxist-Leninist) (1979–present)
- Socialist Equality Party (1986–present)
- International Socialist League (1987–present)
- Communist League (1988–present)
- Communist Party of Britain (1988–present)
- Communist Party of Great Britain (Provisional Central Committee) (1991–present)
- Independent Working Class Association (1995–present)
- Socialist Labour Party (1996–present)
- Socialist Party (England and Wales) (also main constituent of TUSC; has stood as "Socialist Alternative") (1997–present)
- Socialist Resistance (part of Left Unity) (2002–present)
- Alliance for Green Socialism (2003–present)
- Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist) (2004–present)
- TUSC (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition) (2010–present)
- Left Unity (2013–present)
Minor UK far-right parties
- National Front (1967–present)
- National Liberal Party (1999-present)
- Britain First (2011–present)
- Britannica Party[51][52][53] (2011–present)
- British Democratic Party (2013–present)
- Liberty GB (2013–present)
Minor UK centre-right parties
- Christian Peoples Alliance (1999–present)
- Christian Democratic Party (UK) (1999–present)
- The Common Good (2004–present)
- Christian Party (successor to Operation Christian Vote) (2005–present)
Minor English parties
- Community; local party in the London Borough of Hounslow.
- Community Action Party; local centre-left party in Wigan.
- Community Group; local party in Doncaster.
- English Democrats; campaign for self-government for England.
- Idle Toad; independent party in Lancashire.
- Lewisham People Before Profit.
- National Health Action Party.
- People's Democratic Party, a populist party focused on Northern England.
- Roman Party.
- Wessex Regionalist Party, campaigning for devolution for Wessex.
- The Republic Party, based in Pendlebury, Salford. Campaigning for the UK to become a Republic.[54]
Minor Scottish parties
- Communist Party of Scotland
- Independent Green Voice
- RISE – Scotland's Left Alliance; electoral alliance formed by SSP and former ISG
- Scotland Against Crooked Lawyers
- Scottish Christian Party – the successor to Operation Christian Vote in Scotland.
- Scottish Democratic Alliance – the successor to Scottish Enterprise Party
- Scottish Libertarian Party
- Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party
- Scottish Socialist Party, a party campaigning for an independent, socialist, republican, Scotland.
- Scottish Unionist Party, campaigns to prevent dissolution of the UK. Has strong links with the Orange Order.
- Socialist Party Scotland
- Solidarity, a split from the SSP in 2006.
Minor Welsh parties
- Communist Party of Wales
- Socialist Party Wales
- Welsh Christian Party – the successor to Operation Christian Vote in Wales.
Minor Northern Irish parties
- Cross-Community Labour Alternative
- Fianna Fáil
- NI21
- Labour Party of Northern Ireland
- Republican Sinn Féin
- Socialist Party (Ireland)
- Workers' Party
Joke/satirical parties
Defunct and historical parties in the United Kingdom
- Boston Bypass Independents
- Liberal Party (1839–1988)
- Liberal Unionist Party (1886–1912)
- Women's Party (1917–1919)
- National Democratic and Labour Party (1918–1923)
- National Liberal Party (1922–1923)
- National Liberal Party (1931–1968)
- New Party (1931–1932)
- Social Credit Party of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1931–1951, 1965–1978)
- Fellowship Party (1955–2007). Environmentalist, pacifist and socialist party.
- Democratic Labour (1972–1979)
- Campaign for Social Democracy (1973–1974)
- Green Party (UK), formed as PEOPLE, or the Ecology Party, in 1973 and succeeded in 1990 by the Green Party of England and Wales, the Green Party in Northern Ireland and the Scottish Green Party
- Social Democratic Alliance (1975–1981)
- Social Democratic Party (1981–1990)
- Islamic Party of Britain (1989–2006)
- Natural Law Party (1992–2004)
- Democratic Party (1998–2010)
- Legalise Cannabis Alliance (1999–2006), deregistered and became a pressure group in 2006.
- Countryside Party (2000–2008)[55]
- New Party (2003–2010)
- Make Politicians History (2005–2009)
- Science Party. Launched in April 2010, with initial press support from Newscientist.com. Campaigning for increased importance and use of Science in Politics.
- Trust Party[56] (2010–2011)
- Cannabis Is Safer Than Alcohol (2015-2016)
Defunct English parties
- Corrective Party (1988–1990s) – the electoral vehicle for Lindi St Clair (aka Miss Whiplash) to campaign on the liberalisation of sex laws.[57]
- Free England Party (2008–2009)[55]
- Liverpool Protestant Party
- New England Party (2005–2007, merged with the English Democrats)
- Northern Party (2015–2016)
- One London (November 2005 – November 2008). A London political party formerly with two seats on the London Assembly, a split from UK Independence Party.[55]
- Vectis National Party (1970s) – Isle of Wight regionalist party.
Defunct Scottish parties
- East Dunbartonshire Independent Alliance
- East Kilbride Alliance
- Fife Socialist League (1950s–1960s)
- Crofters Party
- Fishing Party (Scotland) (?–2003)
- Free Scotland Party (2004–2012?)
- Highland Land League (1909–1920s)
- Highlands and Islands Alliance
- International Socialist Group (2011–2015)
- Labour Party of Scotland
- Left Alliance (2000s)
- National Party of Scotland (1928–1934)
- Orkney and Shetland Movement
- Progressives (1920s–1970s)
- Publican Party (2005–2007), campaigned against the smoking ban in pubs and bars.[55]
- Scottish Enterprise Party (2004–2009), a centre-right party in favour of Scottish independence[55]
- Scottish Independence Party
- Scottish Jacobite Party (July 2005 – July 2007), a semi-serious independence party.[55]
- Scottish Labour Party (1888–1893)
- Scottish Labour Party (1976–1981)
- Scottish Militant Labour (1990s)
- Scottish Party (1932–1934)
- Scottish Prohibition Party (1901–1935)
- Scottish Republican Socialist Party (1982–1998)
- Scottish Separatist Group, party with former links to both the SNLA and the Maoist International Movement
- Scottish Socialist Alliance
- Scottish Socialist Federation
- Scottish Socialist Party (1987–1990)
- Scottish Voice
- Scottish Workers' Representation Committee (1899–1909)
- Scottish Workers Republican Party
- Unionist Party (1912–1965)
- Workers Party of Scotland
Defunct Welsh parties
- Balchder Cymru
- Blaenau Gwent People's Voice (2005–2010)
- Communist Party of South Wales and the West of England
- Cymru Annibynnol
- Cymru Goch
- Cymru Rydd
- John Marek Independent Party (2003), evolved into Forward Wales
- South Wales Socialist Society
- Welsh Republican Movement
- Forward Wales
Defunct Northern Irish parties
- All-for-Ireland Party (1910–1918)
- British Ulster Dominion Party
- Irish Independence Party
- Irish Parliamentary Party
- Nationalist Party
- Northern Ireland Labour Party
- Northern Ireland Women's Coalition
- People's Democracy
- Protestant Coalition (2013–2015)
- Protestant Unionist Party
- Republican Labour Party
- Ulster Democratic Party
- Ulster Independence Movement
- Ulster Liberal Party
- Ulster Popular Unionist Party (1980–1995)
- United Kingdom Unionist Party (1995–2008)[58]
- United Ulster Unionist Party (1977–1984)
- Unionist Party of Northern Ireland
- Vanguard Progressive Unionist Party (1973–1978)
Defunct UK religious parties
- ProLife Alliance. Still operating as a pressure group, ProLife deregistered as a political party in 2004.[55]
Defunct left-wing parties
- Social Democratic Federation (1884–1911)
- Socialist League (1886–1903)
- Independent Labour Party (1893–1975)
- Socialist Labour Party (1903–1980)
- British Socialist Party (1911–1920)
- Workers Socialist Federation (1914–1921)
- National Socialist Party (1916–1919)
- Communist Party of Great Britain (1920–1991)
- Workers International League (1937–1944)
- Revolutionary Socialist League (1938–44)
- Common Wealth Party (1942–1945)
- Revolutionary Communist Party (1944–50)
- Revolutionary Workers Party (1962-1990s)
- International Marxist Group (1968–1981)
- Revolutionary Communist League of Britain (1968–1998)
- Revolutionary Marxist–Leninist League (1968–1980)
- Working People's Party of England (1968–1986)
- Communist Workers League of Britain (Marxist–Leninist) (1969–1981)
- Revolutionary Communist League (UK) (1970-c.1973)
- British and Irish Communist Organisation (1971-c.1986)
- Labour Party of Scotland (1973)
- Communist Organisation in the British Isles (1974-c.1977)
- Workers' Power (1974–2015)
- Communist League of Great Britain (1975-c.2001)
- League for Socialist Action (UK) (1976–1982)
- Revolutionary Communist Party (1978–1997)
- International Leninist Workers Party (1979–2006)
- Red Action (1981–2001)
- Workers' Internationalist League (1983–1984)
- Communist Forum (1986–1987)
- International Socialist Group (1987–2009)
- Marxist Party (1987–2004)
- Workers International league (1987–2006)
- Movement for a Socialist Future (1990–2005)
- Workers International to Rebuild the Fourth International (1990–2002)
- Democratic Left (1991–1993) [de-registered as a political party from 1993–1998]
- Alliance for Workers' Liberty (was part of Left Unity) (1992–2015) Still operating as a pressure group
- Socialist Alliance (1994–2005)
- Socialist Peoples Party (1995–2015)
- Democratic Labour Party (1998–2016)
- Red Party (2004–2005)
- United Socialist Party (2004–2010?)
- Peace and Progress Party (2004–2015)
- Respect Party (2004–2016)
- Permanent Revolution (2006–2013)
- Left List (2008–2010)
- No2EU (2009–2014), (electoral alliance & registered party, formed by the Socialist Party, Communist Party and RMT)
- Class War (2014–2015)
- Reality Party (2014–2016)
Defunct far-right parties
- British Fascisti (1920s–1930s)
- National Fascisti (1920s)
- Imperial Fascist League (1929–1939)
- British Union of Fascists (1930s)
- National Socialist League (1937–1939)
- British People's Party (1940s)
- Union Movement (1948–1973)
- National Labour Party (1957–1960)
- White Defence League (1958–1960)
- British National Party (1960–1967)
- National Democratic Party (1960s–1970s)
- National Socialist Movement (1962–1967)
- Greater Britain Movement (1964–1967)
- British Movement (1968–1983)
- National Independence Party (1970s)
- United Country Party (1970s)
- National Party (1975–1977)
- New Britain Party (1976–2008)
- British First Party (1977–2009)
- British Democratic Party (1979–1982)
- Constitutional Movement (1979–1984)
- Flag Group (1980s)
- Official National Front (1986–1989)
- National Socialist Movement (1990s)
- Third Way (1990–) [now a think tank]
- National Democrats (1995–2011)
- Freedom Party (2000–2006)
- White Nationalist Party (2002–2005)
- England First Party (2003–2012)
- British Peoples Party (2005–2013)
- Nationalist Alliance (2005–2008)
- New Nationalist Party (2006–2007/8)
- British Freedom Party (2010–2012)
Defunct joke/satirical parties
- Adam Lyal's Witchery Tour Party (1999–2009)[55]
- The Blah! Party
- Citizens for Undead Rights and Equality
- Death, Dungeons and Taxes Party
- Free Party (2001–2002)[55]
- Miss Great Britain Party (2008–2009)[55]
- New Millennium Bean Party
- MP3 Party (2002–2007)
- Raving Loony Green Giant Party
- Rock 'n' Roll Loony Party (2000–2007)[55]
- Teddy Bear Alliance
Defunct Single issue Eurosceptic parties
- Anti Common Market and Free Trade Party (1967–1988)
- Referendum Party (1994–1997)
- Veritas (2005–2015)
- We Demand a Referendum (2012–2014)
See also
- Timeline of political parties in the United Kingdom
- List of political parties in the United Kingdom by representation
- List of political parties in the United Kingdom opposed to austerity
- Political make-up of local councils in the United Kingdom
- List of political parties by country
- Politics of the United Kingdom
- Political party affiliation in the United Kingdom
- Elections in the United Kingdom
- List of political parties in Northern Ireland
- List of political parties in Scotland
- List of political parties in Wales
- List of political parties in the Isle of Man (a British Crown dependency)
- List of political parties in Gibraltar (a British overseas territory)
- Index of UK party meta attributes
Notes
- ^ Sinn Féin has one MEP from a UK constituency and three others from the Republic of Ireland.
References
- ^ "Whatever you think of Ukip or the Greens, our electoral system is robbing them". 14 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ "Green party leader condemns first-past-the-post voting system". 9 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ "General Election 2015: Sixty per cent of people want voting reform, says survey". 5 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ "Election 2015". Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ "Green party and Ukip join forces to demand electoral overhaul". 18 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ John Marshall: Membership of UK political parties; House of Commons, SN/SG/5125; 2009, page 6. www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/briefings/snsg-05125.pdf Retrieved 5 January 2012
- ^ "Party Finance – The Electoral Commission : Regulatory issues : Political parties : Registers : Register of political parties". Search.electoralcommission.org.uk. Retrieved 2015-08-03.
- ^ "Search – The Electoral Commission". electoralcommission.org.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ "Election 2015 – BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Local Council Political Compositions". Retrieved 23 May 2015.
- ^ "Membership of UK political parties". Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- ^ "General Election results". The Co-operative Party. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ "Membership of UK political parties". www.parliament.uk. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ^ Leader of the SNP at Westminster is Angus Robertson
- ^ "Membership of UK political parties". www.parliament.uk. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ^ https://twitter.com/LibDems/status/856528359404310529
- ^ Cathy Owen (8 May 2015). "General Election 2015: Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood remains upbeat as she looks towards Assembly Elections". walesonline. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ Martin Shipton. "No surge in membership for Plaid Cymru under Leanne Wood's leadership despite predictions to the contrary". Wales Online.
- ^ Bateman, Tom (26 August 2016). "Greens' Caroline Lucas proposes Labour election pact". BBC News. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
The ballot of the Greens' 53,000 members closed on Thursday night
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38125432
- ^ "Scottish Greens Welcome Latest Holyrood Poll". Scottish Green Party. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "Greens' growth has just begun". Belfast Telegraph. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ^ a b c d "The Green Party's Core Values". Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ "MyEpsomandEwell". eplanning.epsom-ewell.gov.uk. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ Surrey County Council, County Hall (2016-09-30). "Your Councillors". Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ "Frome Town Council Elections 2015". Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ "Gwynedd Council" (PDF). Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ "Residents for Uttlesford County & District Councillors". Retrieved 8 May 2015.
- ^ "East Devon District Council Elections 2015" (PDF). Retrieved 21 February 2016.
- ^ "East Devon Alliance History". Retrieved 21 February 2016.
- ^ http://www.durham.gov.uk/article/2299/Councils-political-make-up
- ^ "Councillors – Stanley Town Council". Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ Thanet District Council. "Modern Gov Your Councillors". thanet.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ "Our People". Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ "Independent1". www.barnsleyindependentgroup.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ http://www.guildford.gov.uk/article/15342/Councillors-and-Committees
- ^ "Councillors – Middlewich Town Council". Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ "Your Councillors by Party". Lincolnshire County Council. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- ^ https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/councillors/specificParty/9/putting_hartlepool_first
- ^ "Councillors » The Borders Party". www.bordersparty.org.uk. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ "Your Councillors". 2016-09-30. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ "Councillors". www.henleytowncouncil.gov.uk. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ http://www.pendle.gov.uk/councillors/35/brian_parker
- ^ "Heybridge BNP win with 44.71%". British National Party. 2016-05-07. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ "2017 Council Election Results - West Dunbartonshire Council". www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-05-08.
- ^ "Contact a Devizes Town Councillor". www.devizes-tc.gov.uk. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ^ http://parishes.durham.gov.uk/pererlee/Pages/MayorandCouncillors.aspx
- ^ Bluer, Jordan (2 March 2015). "OpenPolitics: 'Wikipedia-like' manifesto lets YOU decide the agenda". Mancunian Matters. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- ^ "Something New". OpenElectoralCommission. Retrieved 16 Mar 2015. A mirror of data from the Electoral Commission PEF entity registration search.
- ^ Perraudin, Frances (13 March 2017). "The mayoral candidate fighting for women in the northern powerhouse: 'We need a better deal'". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ Goodwin, Matthew (19 August 2012). "The far right is fragmenting". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
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(help) - ^ Gable, Sonia (8 April 2012). "Britannica Party fields four candidates". Searchlight. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ^ Beaton, Connor (21 June 2014). "BNP splinter joins anti-indy campaign". The Targe. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
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(help) - ^ Bristow, Ned (30 March 2016). "'I am a bit of a radical': Salford mayoral candidate looking to 'break up' Labour stranglehold on local politics". Mancunian Matters. Manchester, England.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "List of Political Parties either renamed or deregistered since 2002" (PDF). 16 December 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 6, 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Ex-Tory donor launches Trust Party on expenses pledge". BBC News. 29 March 2010. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
- ^ Boggan, Steve (25 February 1993). "Miss Whiplash faxes by-election promise". The Independent. London. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
- ^ "United Kingdom Unionist Party – Statement of Accounts for 2006" (PDF). Electoral Commission. 22 May 2007. Retrieved 2008-09-13. [dead link]
External links
- "List of all parties standing at the 2005 election". Archived from the original on 9 March 2006.
- "List of parties that stood candidates in the 2001 general elections". Archived from the original on 25 September 2006.
- Electoral Commission: Database of Registers, includes Register of Political Parties
- Links to UK political websites from the BBC
- NSD: European Election Database – UK descriptions of main parties