I've never understood the staunch support of a political party to the extent that you label yourself one or the other. Is it really like that - people go out of

I've never understood the staunch support of a political party to the extent that you label yourself one or the other. Is it really like that - people go out of their way to identify as a party member? Is it not a hindrance in finding common ground and working together? On this side of the pond, I find that people "support" a party, rather than consider themselves a member of one (even if they are).