What is the oldest, recognised political party in the world?

Question

Two questions in one: What is the oldest party still in existence today and what is the earliest known political party?

To clarify, I'm not enquiring about the oldest parliament or equivalent, but the oldest political party.

Can anyone best the answer given by Phil M of the Democratic Party of the USA?

Answer 1

The oldest political parties were formed in the United Kingdom the Whigs and the Tories.
In the late17th century the term Whig was used to describe those opposed to the religious policies of Charles II. Later the Whigs supported the establishment of the Hanoverian settlement. By the 19th century their rivals in Parliament, the Tories, were the supporters of the established church and the traditional political structure. The Whigs, in contrast to the Tories, favoured reform. The aristocratic connotations surrounding the name caused some politicians to refer to themselves as Liberals, a term used by reforming politicians in Europe. However, the term Liberal was not used officially until 1868 when William Gladstone became Prime Minister.
The origins of the Conservative Party can be traced to the 'Tory' faction which emerged in the later seventeenth century. This 'Tory Party' established a secure hold on government between 1783 and 1830, first under the Younger Pitt and then Lord Liverpool.
The name 'Conservative' first began to be used, as Peel sought to rally the opponents of further reform in the mid-1830s.

Answer 2

Oldest Political Party

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is the oldest, recognised political party in the world?
Two questions in one: What is the oldest party still in existence today and what is the earliest known political party?

Answer 4

I don't know about a particular party, but the oldest known democratic parliament is the TINWALD of the Isle Of Man, so i guess the oldest democratic party would be something to do with that. Probably wrong and someone will take a dig at me, but what the heck!!! I don't trawl Wikipedia for answers!

Answer 5

Not sure about oldest political party or earliest - however, the longest surviving parliament in the world is the Tynwald on the Isle of Man [UK] - they've been going for a thousand years. I know it's a long shot, but maybe they might know the answer to your questions.

Answer 6

Tinwold IoM... got the books and background info', did it as part of my son's home school education while we lived there for three and a half years in the mid nineties, researched it thoroughly.

Decidedly the oldest parliament.

Great place, pity they don't like the English... I got away with it being half Irish and them being the same;-)

Answer 7

the oldest registered political party is the Democratic party in the USA, founded by Jefferson in 1792.

Answer 8

Not sure this qualifies, but IMO the Catholic Church on both counts