Similarities
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Both parties cover wide range of views, internal coalitions
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hard-left, Momentum (Labour Party, Corbyn)
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one-nation Tories
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MAGA Republicans
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Each of the main parties in the US and UK can be labelled as conservative or liberal/broadly progressive
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Trump and Sanders were outsiders but wrapped themselves in their respective parties’ banner
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In the UK they would have started their own party
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Both parties exhibit internal party rebellions and revolts
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Both strongly in favour of retaining current electoral system as it greatly aids their dominance in respective legislatures
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FPTP over-rewards them at the expense of third parties and independents
Differences
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Internal divisions vary considerably between countries
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Main Con division in 2019 was Leave/Remain
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Main R divisions over foreign policy and trade
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Con more socially progressive than R on issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage
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Dem is more moderate and centrist than Lab under Corbyn
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UK parties been ideologically based and distinct for longer than the US
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Party unity remains lower in the US compared to UK
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Less party discipline, no whipping
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Dominance of central/national much weaker in the US
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Reflects size and diversity of the US
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Lab and Con compete under alternative electoral systems in devolved assemblies
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Nationalist parties are much more dominant, main parties less so
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e.g. 2026 Senedd: Plaid Cymru 43, Reform 34, Lab 9, Con 7 seats
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2026 Scottish Parliament: SNP 58, Lab 17, Reform 17, Green 15, Con 12 seats