Established Political Parties

Question 1

What was the first major event that can be described as traditional conservatism?

Answer 1

When people sided with the monarch in the English Civil War.

Question 2

What did traditional conservatives during the English Civil War fear?

Answer 2

The dangerous and violent change of Parliament gaining power. Traditional conservatives feared that the government would not be strong enough to stop crime, and that anarchy would ensue.

Question 3

Which PM created the concept of one-nation conservatism?

Answer 3

Benjamin Disraeli

Question 4

What is one-nation conservatism?

Answer 4

According to one-nation principles, the Conservative Party should protect and advance the interests of the whole nation. This type of conservatism is more inclusive and more progressive than traditional conservatism.

Question 5

What challenged the belief in one-nation conservatism?

Answer 5

In the 1970s, the effectiveness of one-nation conservatism was undermined by industrial unrest. Trade unions demanded higher wages for their workers, and this challenged the belief that a Conservative government could unite all sections of society.

Question 6

Which PM inspired New Right principles?

Answer 6

Margaret Thatcher

Question 7

What principles is New Right based upon?

Answer 7

The principles that the economy is best with little government intervention and that workers create wealth, not governments.

Question 8

What does New Right believe is best for the economy?

Answer 8

Taxation should be kept to a minimum
Inflation and interest rates should be reduced to encourage investment
The UK should not be too much of a welfare state
The influences of trade unions should be limited because they demand excessive pay rises

Question 9

How does the New Right believe social stability should be ensured?

Answer 9

Discouraging alternative lifestyles, giving the government more powers to fight crime, pursuing a strong defense policy

Question 10

What did Margaret Thatcher admit that the Conservatives had done wrong in 2002?

Answer 10

She admitted that the Conservatives had focused too much on the free market and had allowed society to become divided.

Question 11

How have modern Conservative prime ministers modified conservatism?

Answer 11

Recent PMs have worked to make the Conservative Party more socially inclusive.

Question 12

When and why was the Labour Party created?

Answer 12

In 1900, to represent the interests of the working class.

Question 13

Which two ideologies has the Labour Party been a compromise between?

Answer 13

Democratic socialist and social democracy

Question 14

What do democratic socialists believe?

Answer 14

That the capitalist state will become a socialist state when the working class gain power.

Question 15

What do social democrats believe?

Answer 15

That a more equal society can be achieved by reforming existing capitalist structures.

Question 16

How have Labour governments tried to create a more just and inclusive society?

Answer 16

Nationalisation
Redistributive taxation
Supporting an extensive welfare state
Supporting trade unions

Question 17

What happened during Clement Attlee’s time as prime minister?

Answer 17

His health secretary introduced the NHS in 1948
About 20% of the economy was nationalised (including the steel, electricity and coal industries, as well as the Bank of England)

Question 18

Which general election forced Labour to change its policies? Why?

Answer 18

The 1983 general election. The Labour Party promised to:
- nationalise more industries
- increase taxation on the wealthy
- withdraw from the European Economic Community

Labour’s share of the vote decreased by almost 10%. This caused Labour to move more to the centre of the political spectrum

Question 19

What was the third way a compromise between?

Answer 19

The extremes of socialism and capitalism

Question 20

What did the third way mean for the Labour Party?

Answer 20

It should:
- Not need to commit itself to principles such as nationalisation and redistributive taxation
- Enact policies that promote wealth creation rather than wealth redistribution
- Loosen its ties with trade unions to become a less class-based party

Question 21

What is another name for the third way?

Answer 21

New Labour

Question 22

What started the Liberal Party in 1850?

Answer 22

Those who supported the reform of Parliament and limits on royal authority, as well as supporters of former prime minister Robert Peel, who had split the Conservative Party by repealing the Corn Laws, came together on the issue of free trade.

Question 23

What did the Liberal Party believe in?

Answer 23

Free trade, lower taxes, balanced budgets, parliamentary and administrative reform, and a more moral approach to foreign policy.

Question 24

What changed liberalism at the start of the 20th century?

Answer 24

The Liberal Party was influenced by people who believed the government should provide adequate welfare provision for the most vulnerable in society.

Question 25

What was introduced during the government of Liberal prime minister H.H. Asquith?

Answer 25

Pensions, and sickness and unemployment insurance were introduced

Question 26

What was the main cause of the fall in support of the Liberal Party?

Answer 26

The rise of the Labour Party

Question 27

When did the Liberal Party become the Liberal Democratic Party?

Answer 27

The Liberal Party entered an electoral pact with former Labour MPs who established the Social Democratic Party in the early 1980s. They merged to form the Liberal Democrats Party in 1988.

Question 28

When did the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives form a coalition?

Answer 28

2010

Question 29

What are the Liberal Democratic Party’s current policies?

Answer 29

Increase taxes for all
Free school meals for all primary school children
No Brexit
Stay in the European Convention of Human Rights (because liberals like rights)
Proportional representation
Elected House of Lords