ABSTRACT
In Scotland and Wales the UK-wide political parties are augmented by the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru (PC), respectively. The NEC used to lead policy-making, with the left in the ascendant, it became a focus of left-wing interest. The progress of UKIP party was remarkable after its creation in the 1990s, arguably establishing a four-party system in the UK. The Liberal Democrats, formed in 1988, made good headway during the 1990s, along with the nationalists in Wales and Scotland. Conservatives and Liberals shared government, their efforts made more difficult by the 80 or so Irish Nationalist MPs present in the Commons. Parties draw in people to run the political system, providing a means whereby people can be turned into candidates and then 'politicians' operating at local, national or even at European Union level. As elected MPs, the PLP has special authority, but constitutionally it is only one power centre, and not the most important.
