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.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.
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.
There are a 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 | Description |
|---|
| Labour Party | A social democratic party that has its roots in the trade union movement. The party has several internal factions, which include: Progressive Britain, which promotes a continuation of New Labour policies and is considered to be on the right of the party; the soft-left Open Labour; Momentum, which represents the party's left-wing, democratic socialist grouping; and Blue Labour, which promotes socially and culturally conservative values while remaining committed to labour rights and left-wing economics. Labour also has candidates who stand on a split-ticket with the Co-operative Party. |
|---|
| Co-operative Party | A party that promotes cooperative principles and values, providing political representation for the British co-operative movement. Since 1927, the party has been in an electoral alliance with the Labour Party, standing joint candidates under the Labour and Co-operative label. |
|---|
| Conservative and Unionist Party | A politically conservative party loosely divided into three categories: the One Nation Conservatives, the Thatcherites, who strongly support a free market with restrained government spending and tend to be Eurosceptic; and the Cornerstone Group. |
|---|
| Liberal Democrats | A liberal party; its main branches are social liberals based around the Social Liberal Forum, and the more centrist Liberal Reform grouping, which places more of an emphasis on economic liberalism. There is also a social democratic faction and influence within the party. |
|---|
| Scottish National Party (SNP) | Scottish nationalist and social democratic party which supports Scottish independence and membership of the European Union or further devolution for Scotland. |
|---|
| Sinn Féin | Irish republican party dedicated to the reunification of Ireland and the creation of a new republic based on democratic socialist values. It holds a policy of abstentionism for the House of Commons, with its MPs not taking their seats in this legislature. |
|---|
| Reform UK | Right-wing populist and Eurosceptic party, led by former UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader MEP and current MP for Clacton, Nigel Farage. |
|---|
| Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) | Strongly British unionist party in Northern Ireland which promotes social and national conservatism. |
|---|
| Green Party of England and Wales | Green party that combines environmentalism and sustainability with left-leaning economic policies, while taking a progressive approach socially. The party also has eco-socialist and anti-capitalist factions, such as the Green Left grouping. |
|---|
| Plaid Cymru | Democratic socialist, social democratic, and Welsh nationalist party in favour of Welsh independence or further devolution for Wales. |
|---|
| (SDLP) | Irish nationalist and social-democratic party supporting a united Ireland. |
|---|
| Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI) | Liberal, nonsectarian and pro-European political party in Northern Ireland. |
|---|
| Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) | Conservative and Unionist party in Northern Ireland, taking a somewhat "softer" stance on social issues than the DUP. The party was formerly tied to the Conservative Party in Great Britain. |
|---|
| Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) | Strongly social and national conservative unionist party in Northern Ireland. It has formed an alliance with Reform UK. |
|---|
| Scottish Greens | Green party in favour of Scottish independence and Scottish republicanism. |
|---|
| Alba Party | Formed as a breakaway party from the SNP, the party promotes Scottish independence, Scottish nationalism and Scottish republicanism while taking a more socially conservative stance than the SNP. |
| People Before Profit (PBP) | Socialist and Trotskyist party that is active in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. | |
|---|
| Party | Leader | Local authorities | data-sort-type="number" | Councillors[18] |
|---|
| Ashfield Independents | Jason Zadrozny | Ashfield, Nottinghamshire | 42 |
|---|
| Havering Residents Association | | Havering London Borough Council | 25 |
|---|
| Aspire | Kalam Mahmud Abu Taher Choudhury | Tower Hamlets Council | 24 |
|---|
| The People's Independent Party | Warren Gibson | Castle Point | 24 |
|---|
| Residents for Uttlesford | Petrina Lees | Uttlesford, Essex County Council | 24 |
|---|
| Boston Independents | Anne Dorrian | Boston Borough Council | 18 |
|---|
| South Holland Independents | Robert Gibson | South Holland District, Lincolnshire County Council | 18 |
|---|
| Canvey Island Independent Party | David Blackwell | Castle Point, Essex | 17 |
|---|
| Farnham Residents | No leader | Surrey County Council, Waverley | 16 |
|---|
| Loughton Residents Association | | Epping Forest District, Essex County Council | 14 |
|---|
| | Marianne Overton | Lincolnshire County Council, North Kesteven District Council, West Lindsey District Council | 13 |
|---|
| Swale Independents | Mike Baldock | Kent County Council, Swale Borough Council | 12 |
|---|
| Ashford Independents | Noel Ovenden | Ashford Borough Council | 10 |
|---|
| Community Campaign (Hart) | James Radley | Hart District Council | 10 |
|---|
| West Suffolk Independents | Victor Lukaniuk | Suffolk County Council | 10 |
|---|
| South Devon Alliance | | Teignbridge | 9 |
|---|
| Tunbridge Wells Alliance | Nicholas Pope[19] | 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 | 9 |
|---|
| Ashtead Independents | Chris Hunt | Mole Valley, Surrey | 7 |
|---|
| Peterborough First | | Peterborough City Council | 7 |
|---|
| Residents for Guildford and Villages | Jonathan Bigmore[20] | Guildford, Surrey | 7[21] |
|---|
| Rother Association of Independent Councillors | | Rother District Council | 7 |
|---|
| Stafford Borough Independents | | Borough of Stafford | 7 |
|---|
| Whitehill & Bordon Community Party | Andy Tree[22] | East Hampshire District Council, Hampshire County Council | 7 |
|---|
| Horwich and Blackrod First | David Grant | Horwich Town Council, Bolton Council | 6 |
|---|
| Morley Borough Independents | Robert Finnigan | Leeds City Council | 6 |
|---|
| Reform Derby | Alan Graves | Derby City Council | 6 |
|---|
| The Borough First | Suzanne Cross | Windsor and Maidenhead Borough 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[23] | 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[24] |
|---|
| 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 | Alan Gibbons | 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[25] |
|---|
| 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 Association | | 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' Association | | Braintree District | 2 |
|---|
| Hinchley Wood Residents Association | Saranne Bristow[26] | Elmbridge Borough Council | 2 |
|---|
| Independent Alliance (Kent) | | Tonbridge and Malling | 2 |
|---|
| Independents@Swansea | | City and County of Swansea Council | 2 |
|---|
| It's Our County | | Herefordshire Council | 2 |
|---|
| Kingston Independent Residents Group | | Kingston upon Thames London Borough Council | 2 |
|---|
| Knowle Community Party | Gary Hopkins | Bristol City Council | 2[27] [28] [29] |
|---|
| 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 | Rosalyn Parker-Lee | Boston Borough Council | 1 |
|---|
| British Unionist Party | John Ferguson | North Lanarkshire Council | 1 |
|---|
| City Independent | No Leader | Stoke-on-Trent City Council | 1[30] |
|---|
| East Cleveland Independent | No leader | Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council | 1 |
|---|
| Edlington and Warmsworth First | | Doncaster Council | 1 |
|---|
| Independent Union | Shane Moore | Hartlepool | 1[31] |
|---|
| 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[32] |
|---|
| West Dunbartonshire Community Party | Drew MacEoghainn | West Dunbartonshire Council | 1[33] |
|---|
| Wickford Independents | No leader | Basildon Borough Council | 1 |
|---|
|
| 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 |
|---|
| Britain First | Paul Golding | British fascism, neo-fascism, ultranationalism, British unionism, anti-Islam, Euroscepticism | Far-right |
|---|
| British Democrats (BDP) | Jim Lewthwaite | British nationalism, anti-immigration, anti-Islam, economic nationalism, monarchism | Far-right[34] |
|---|
| British National Party (BNP) | Adam Walker | British fascism, right-wing populism, white nationalism, ethnic nationalism, ultranationalism, hard Euroscepticism | Far-right |
|---|
| Christian Party | Jeff Green | Christian right, social conservatism, British unionism Euroscepticism | Right-wing |
|---|
| Christian Peoples Alliance (CPA) | Sidney Cordle | Christian right, Christian democracy, social conservatism, Euroscepticism | Right-wing |
|---|
| Church of the Militant Elvis Party | David Bishop | Political satire | |
|---|
| 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,[35] Hard Euroscepticism[36] | 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
| 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 |
|---|
| Homeland Party (Britain) | Kenny Smith | British nationalism | Far-right |
|---|
| Independence for Scotland Party (ISP) | Colette Walker | Scottish independence |
|---|
| 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 | Left-wing |
|---|
| Libertarian Party | Adam Brown | Libertarianism, classical liberalism | |
| Llais Gwynedd | Owain Williams | Gwynedd regionalism | |
|---|
| 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
| 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) | 1982 | 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 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 Family Party | Richard Lucas | Christian right, social conservatism, anti-abortion, anti-LGBT | Right-wing to far-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 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 |
|---|
| Something New | Dr James Smith | Syncretic | Centre
Syncretic |
|---|
| Taking The Initiative Party (TTIP) | Charles Gordon and Sasha Johnson | | |
|---|
| 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) | Vacant | Euroscepticism, Right-wing populism, National conservatism,[37] Economic liberalism, British nationalism[38] | |
|---|
| Veterans and People's Party (VPP) | Robin Horsfall | Right-wing populism, British nationalism, hard Euroscepticism, paternalistic conservatism | Right-wing |
|---|
| Volt UK | Leander Ots | 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 |
|---|
| Workers' Party (Ireland) | Michael McCorry | Communism, Marxism–Leninism, Irish republicanism | Far-left |
|---|
| Yoruba Party | Olusola Oni | Yoruba diaspora interests | | |
|---|
| 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
| 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 |
|---|
| Burning Pink | 2020–2022 | Roger Hallam | Environmentalism | |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
| Free Party | 1997–2005 | No clear leader | | "Slack" |
|---|
| Green Party UK
| 1985–1990 | Tom Wood | Green politics | Left-wing |
|---|
| Glasgow First | 2012–2015 | Gerrard McCue | Social democracy | Centre-left |
|---|
| Harold Hill Independent[39] | 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
| 1859–1988 | David Steel | 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 | |
|---|
| Militant Left | | No clear leader | Socialism, Trotskyism, democratic socialism | Far-left |
|---|
| 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
| 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)
| 1981–1988 | Robert Maclennan | 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 | |
|---|
