Pete Smith looks at the options.
Political parties are at the base of any involvement in the political process.
When we vote, we vote for party politicians not individuals. This is partly because we know so little about the people who want us to elect them to council, Parliament and European Parliament or, now, to Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly or London Assembly. Party labels separate a candidate from their opponents and provide the cue that triggers electors to vote for one candidate rather than another. Political parties, as we currently understand them, arose with the creation of a mass electorate. Politicians needed to communicate with a large number of voters and, thus, the world of mass memberships, subscriptions, meetings, rallies, canvassing, posters and leaflets was brought into existence.