The Parties’ Structure and Policymaking Process

Abstract

As the policymaking method in each political party exerted a major influence on its policy output, it is essential to outline that process for the main parties. Thus in this chapter the structure of each of the parties is sketched, reflecting their ethos and traditions, and explaining their policymaking procedure. It is appropriate to acknowledge that the term policy has a variety of meanings. It might concern a major issue of principle like the use of force at Suez or advert to a series of measures, such as the decision in the 1957 Defence White Paper to prevent increases in the level of military spending. Again there may be a sharp contrast between the process of forming policy in response to a crisis and the more considered debates throughout a Party on less urgent decisions.