BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk// X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Are Political Parties Fit for Purpose? - Baroness Williams of Cros by\, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords and Prof essor Emeritus of Elective Politics at Harvard University DTSTART:20150626T160000Z DTEND:20150626T173000Z UID:TALK59620@talks.cam.ac.uk CONTACT:VHI Admin DESCRIPTION:In representative democracies political parties serve the func tion of connecting the public with the political system. Government is car ried out by the parties which represent the majority of the electorate and the ballot box gives them the legitimacy to do so. The United Kingdom has long been a stable democracy system dominated by the Conservative and Lab our Parties but where other parties also have a place. The first-past-the- post electoral system has\, until recently\, ensured that one of these par ties has succeeded in forming a government. In recent years\, however\, th is has become more difficult to achieve. During the last parliament there was a coalition government\, and while the recent election has given the n ew Conservative government a majority\, it is a very slender one. Party me mbership is declining and the traditional parties are under pressure from new parties such as UKIP and are suffering from a general disillusionment with politics\, politicians and the political party system. Baroness Willi ams will ask the question as to whether the current political parties and the party system itself is fit for purpose\, that is\, whether they still perform that key function of legitimately representing the nation in its g overnment.\n\nThis lecture is part of the Themed Lecture Series: 'Ethical Standards in Public Life' co-sponsored by the Von Hugel Institute\, Cambri dge\, St Mary’s University Twickenham and Las Casas Institute\, Blackfri ars\, Oxford.\n\nFree entrance\, no booking necessary. LOCATION:The Garden Room\, Library Building\, St. Edmund's College END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR