ABSTRACT
Most commentators accept that political parties are an inevitable feature of liberal democracy. It is usually argued that disillusion with political parties is a major factor in the decline in voter turnout in general elections. In defence of United Kingdom (UK) parties, it can be argued that their plight merely reflects a more general tendency of people to disengage from traditional forms of voluntary activity. An alternative model of political organisation is a mass party – one which depends on a large membership to finance the party at national and local levels, publicise its activities, run campaigns, and recruit potential leaders. More professional organisations were required in order to reach a larger electorate, and local bodies which emerged to work for the election of candidates needed coordination from the centre. A National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations was set up in 1867; a National Liberal Federation was established ten years later.
