The "uniparty" is an easy mistake for many to make.

I don't know about the UK but the US definitely has a uniparty and I've come to understand them more over the years. I haven't seen any evidence contradicting it yet - it's just that there are different levels.

• Small-time representatives are playing it straight, they think they're working for the people. The longer they're in office, the more inconsistencies and outright lies they'll spot from their colleagues. They eventually either quit in disgust, learn to work the system, or get kicked out with a made up controversy if they cross the line.

• State officials and your typical representative are playing politics on camera, but attending the same events, getting funded by the same corporations, and are the best of friends off camera. Their goal is to get promoted, but at this level they still don't know how everything works.

• At the highest levels, it's effectively one constantly bickering extended family - like the Mafia but with less honor. They'll make deals where they literally trade seats for seats, look the other way when the other side cheats, offer bribes, and hold blackmail material over one another. One side may pretend they're acting honorably, while the other side backstabs them routinely - but they'll never betray The Party to the media or law enforcement. (they control most media and law enforcement anyway)

And then there are levels above that, beyond politics, where the real power lies.