By Linley Winter
March 19, 2026
It should be common knowledge that political parties exist to take or maintain political power. Therefore, in preparation for any election, the objective must be to win. A winning formula is determined by many things, and many of them are linked to how political parties and their candidates are perceived by the voters whose support they seek.
In this essay, I have condensed several experts’ views on some of the main characteristics and functions of a political party. I will examine some structural issues in the next essay.
A political party that is on a positive trajectory is marked by several characteristics. Among them are coherence, visibility, organisation, relevance, permanence, philosophy, and leadership. These qualities are all interconnected. A deficiency in one area is likely to negatively affect one or more of the others.
Coherence refers to the degree of unity within the party. A political party perceived as unstable is unlikely to attract enough support to be, at minimum, competitive in general elections. Organisational stability is therefore a key characteristic in being seen as worthy of voter support.
But political parties require more than stability. Their institutional presence must be visible and felt in a variety of positive ways if they are to take or retain political power. Visibility can be seen through the party’s physical structures, such as its headquarters and constituency branches. It is also reflected in the party’s public appearances, including meetings, protests, media outings, and social media activity.
Organisation is seen in the party’s structure – its hierarchy, its offices, the competence of the people who occupy them, and its rules. An organised political party functions like a fairly well-oiled machine. Its officers are suited to the responsibilities they are given, and they contribute to the operation of the party in an effective and efficient manner. This applies at both the central and outer levels of the party. It is therefore imperative that those who occupy various offices have the capacity to function in them.
A political party must also be seen by the voting population as relevant. When a party appears out of touch with the plight of the people, it loses its ability to connect with them effectively. This weakens its appeal and creates the perception that it is unable to champion the people’s concerns.
A political party that demonstrates it can sustain itself over time in the political space is seen as having permanence. Politics has its ebbs and flows, and political parties will experience both high and low tides. A party that cannot weather difficult political moments will either implode or drift into obscurity. That is why deft leadership is essential, especially in challenging times, to ensure that the party survives political downturns without being shipwrecked.
A political party should also have a defining philosophy or ideology. Often, this is captured in a phrase or motto. More deeply, however, that philosophy should be laid out in the party’s constitution. It reflects the party’s ethos. A well-organised political party will make it necessary for its members to be properly oriented in that creed.
Equally important is the conduct of party members, especially those in its upper ranks. Through both words and deeds, they must exemplify the party’s ethos. The extent to which members live up to this creed can be seen in how they operate internally, in the public domain, and in government. It is incumbent on members who genuinely subscribe to the party’s philosophy to uphold and defend it.
Leadership is the final critical characteristic I will briefly examine. This requires people, including the party’s leader, who possess the skill and adaptability needed to navigate political life. Those in political leadership must be knowledgeable about the issues affecting the political space, effective communicators, inspiring figures, and able to project a vision for the country that most voters find appealing.
A political party must have a clear and uncontested leader. He or she must be able to unite the various strands of the party around the primary objective of maintaining or taking political power. The political leader, especially, should possess a certain aura – an intangible but essential quality that makes the public gravitate toward him or her. We refer to this as charisma.
Where there is an evident lack of confidence in a party’s leader, it becomes even more difficult for that person to assert authority. This raises questions about the leader’s legitimacy, regardless of the process by which he or she assumed office. The bottom line is that a leader without national appeal lacks real political influence beyond the confines of the organisation, and sometimes even within it. As a result, the party’s broader political appeal – and therefore its chances of electoral success – are likely to be weakened.
Once the characteristics above are positively demonstrated by a political party, some of its corresponding functions become easier to carry out. For example, its representative function becomes easier to establish. The party, and most if not all of its candidates, will be seen as worthy advocates who can be trusted to represent the interests of constituents and the nation. This strengthens the party’s credibility in its bid to take or retain government.
Further reinforcing the party’s positive thrust is its ability to respond to the plight of the people. Responsiveness speaks to the party’s nimbleness and the ability of its members to respond to critical issues quickly and clearly.
Closely linked to responsiveness is the demonstration of sensitivity. The party’s agents, when required, must be able to communicate and act with emotional intelligence. This is especially important in delicate matters. It reflects the human side of the party’s representatives, including candidates, and shows whether they know how to manage sensitive situations and who is best suited for such tasks.
When the characteristics identified above are firmly in place, mobilisation becomes easier. Whether the goal is to draw a crowd for a rally, organise a picket, circulate a petition, or get supporters out to vote, these qualities increase the likelihood of motivating people in the party’s favour. When these features are positively perceived, the mobilising function of the party becomes less burdensome.
Political parties must also engage in education, both among their membership and within the wider population. This includes orienting members in the values of the party and building their capacity to function in various roles. It also includes informing the public about the implications of political decisions on the State, while presenting the party’s positions on critical issues and explaining why those positions are preferable to those offered by rival parties or groups.
Recruitment is another constant function of political parties. Success in recruiting new members contributes to the party’s longevity and permanence. It helps revitalise the organisation and lays the foundation for future leaders to emerge. A political party that performs poorly in the characteristics outlined above will find it difficult to attract new members in numbers large enough for it to be seen as a formidable political force.
Communication is also essential. Stable, organised, relevant, ideologically grounded, visible, and enduring political parties – led by individuals who command public confidence – are usually better able to communicate their messages and programmes effectively. An effective political party will also be able to identify people who can explain complex ideas in simple, understandable ways.
Additionally, there should be a clear and publicly understood division of labour regarding which members speak on certain issues. In opposition, the idea of a shadow cabinet becomes a key feature of the party’s organisational structure and an important expression of its communication function.
Lastly, all political parties should have an entrenched public relations unit. Supported by candidates if in opposition, or ministers if in government, the public relations unit serves as the party’s link to the wider population. Its main mission is to advance the party’s cause in every possible forum and medium, and to persuade voters that the party is best equipped to run the State.
In conclusion, you may or may not agree with what I have advanced above. But I encourage you to consider what, for you, are the indicators of a political party on a positive path. Compare those indicators with the party you support.
As a personal exercise, use a Likert scale to evaluate each characteristic in relation to the political party you support. The same scale can be used to assess your party’s functions based on the examples listed above.
Select your answer from the following options for each characteristic and function: Very Strong, Strong, Somewhat Strong, Somewhat Weak, Weak, or Very Weak.
If you want this next in a tighter news/op-ed house style with subheads and a shorter intro/deck, I can format it that way too.