Party switching

In politics, party switching is any change in party affiliation of a partisan public figure, usually one who is currently holding elected office.

Related Topics:
Politics - Party - Elected

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In many countries, it takes the form of politicians refusing to support their political parties in coalition governments. This is particularly common in countries with less established political parties, such as Vanuatu and French Polynesia where in 2004, a few members of various parties left the coalition, forcing it to collapse. As in the United States, new parties are often formed by party switches, such as in the United Kingdom, where some liberals moved to the Labour Party in the early twentieth century. In formerly communist countries in Europe, many communists switch to other parties ranging on the political spectrum from socialist to conservative.

Related Topics:
Coalition government - Vanuatu - French Polynesia - 2004 - Labour Party - Communist

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In Australia there have been high profile defections in recent history, including the move by Cheryl Kernot then leader of the Australian Democrats to the ALP, the declared independence of former ALP senator Mal Colston and the disintegration of the Democrats.

Related Topics:
Australia - Cheryl Kernot - Australian Democrats - ALP - Mal Colston

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In the United States' dominant two-party system, the switches generally occur between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, although there have also been a number of notable switches to and from third parties, and even between third parties. Use of the term party switch often connotes a transfer of held power from one party to another. The majority of party switchers in the modern era have switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. This behavior has been most widespread in the South.

Related Topics:
Two-party system - Republican Party - Democratic Party - Third parties - South

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