Catch all party - Definition and Overview

A Catch-All party, also known as a Big Tent party, is a political party that does not require adherence to the espoused ideology as a criteria for membership. It tries to appeal to a diverse spectrum of potential voters. An example is the Liberal Party of Canada which is not strongly ideological or regional, but is instead open to members with a wide range of views. While some criticize these parties for lacking in conviction, supporters argue that compromise is an essential feature of a democracy. These parties are far more common in first past the post systems with only a few large parties.