PARTY

(POLITICAL GROUP) [noun] [C + singular or plural verb] - an organization of people with particular political beliefs which competes in elections to try to win positions in local or national governmentthe Democratic Partythe Green partythe Conservative partyThe Labour party has/have just elected a new leader.In Britain, the party in power has the right to choose the date of the next general election.Mr Odinga left the government in 1966 and formed an opposition party which was banned three years later.(UK) Nominations for the committee must be in by August 29th, the day before the party conference (US convention) starts.Harold Wilson succeeded Hugh Gaitskell as party leader in 1963.The party leadership is determined to keep a tight control over the publicity machine.They contacted party members from across the nation to ask for their support.(UK and ANZ) A party political broadcast (US paid political broadcast) is a short television programme in which a politician talks about their party's ideas and plans in order to try to win more support.The party faithful are people who have been loyal members or supporters of a party for a long time.This policy may appeal to the party faithful, but will it gain the support of uncommitted voters?They are likely once again to follow/toe the party line (= obey official party opinion) tonight. See also party line at party (INVOLVEMENT).When people talk about party politics they mean political activity and discussion within or relating to political parties rather than the whole country.In the British system of government, the Queen is supposed to be above (= not be involved with) party politics.