party politics

American  

noun

(usually used with a singular verb)

1. politics based on strict adherence to the policies and principles of a political party regardless of the public interest; partisan loyalism.

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party politics British  

plural noun

1. politics conducted through, by, or for parties, as opposed to other interests or the public good

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Etymology

Origin of party politics

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

Defeat "will pose enormous problems for the party," politics expert Laura McAllister of Cardiff University told AFP.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Before he started his political career, he said he would have been "dismissive" of party politics but now says helping people to find their political voice is "the number one thing" for him.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Vance shrugged off the chats, characterizing them as idle conversations by college students—despite Politico’s reporting that “many of the chat members already work inside government or party politics, and one serves as a state senator.”

From Slate • Oct. 15, 2025

Case said her move into party politics from the civil service "was a source of enormous controversy within the civil service".

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025

Perhaps one of these days it will be agreed that any event more than fifty years old shall be considered outside party politics.

From The Viceroys of Ireland by O'Mahony, Charles