Schools politics class: Tories need a leader who can say sorry

This article picked by a teacher with suggested questions is part of the Financial Times free schools access programme. Details/registration here.

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Specification:

• Edexcel Component 1, 2.4: UK political parties in context: various factors that affect party success

• AQA Component 3.1.2.3: Political parties: factors affecting electoral outcomes

Background: what you need to know

As the UK party conference draws to an end, it’s a good idea not only to note the various policy pronouncements that have been made, but also to reflect on the parties’ different prospects. This article paints a pessimistic picture of the Conservatives’ current standing in the eyes of the voters. Although the conference went better for party leader Kemi Badenoch than many people expected, there is still a long way to go.

The writer argues that to have a chance of regaining power, an opposition party must show that it is sorry for past mistakes made in government and demonstrate that it has really changed. This enabled Margaret Thatcher (1979), Tony Blair (1997), David Cameron (2010) and Keir Starmer (2024) to return their parties to power. Will Kemi Badenoch manage to do this?

Click the link below to read the article and then answer the questions:

Tories need a leader who can say sorry

Question in the style of Edexcel Politics Paper 1

Evaluate the view that political parties’ electoral fortunes are mainly determined by the quality of their leadership. You must consider this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way. [30 marks]

TIP: Think about other factors that may influence election outcomes, such as how voters perceive their own socio-economic wellbeing, or the media image that political parties present. Look at some landmark elections such as 1979, 1997 or 2010, as well as 2024, to build your argument.

Question in the style of AQA Politics Paper 1

• ‘The most important factor that determines whether political parties win or lose general elections is the quality of their leadership.’ Analyse and evaluate this statement. [25 marks]

Graham Goodlad, Portsmouth High School