2.2Established political parties Flashcards
(30 cards)
1
Q
what was labour like under Ed milliband?
A
- shifted slightly to the left, calling for restoration of the 50% band and for an energy price freeze
- camp with the unpopular idea of ‘bedroom tax’
2
Q
what is the context on Liberal Democrats?
A
- found in 1988, ancestors are the ‘whigs who were prominent in 1700s
3
Q
what are classic liberals?
A
- committed to the freedom of the individual and want the state to play a minimal role in society
- liberals in Edwardian era 1906-14 adopted social reforms like old age pension and national insurance
4
Q
what did the Liberal Democrats do in the coalition government of 2010-2015?
A
- nick Clegg became leader in 2007
- liberal democrat helped secure gay marriage rights
- unable to reduce tuition fees which Clegg had promised
- secured a referendum on using the alternative vote which was rejected
5
Q
What are the origins of the Labour Party
A
- founded in 1900 by socialist societies and trade unions, wanted more working class MPs in parliament
- initially, labour was more associated with socialism, wanting to nationalise key industries and run them in interest of community, seen in 4th clause of the labour constitution in 1918
- since working class men were able to vote after 1918, labour found more success, forming a government in 1924, and 1929-31
6
Q
What was old labour like (post-war democratic governments)
A
- Atlee’s gov in 45’ was first where labour had a majority in parliament, making big changes
- Attlee nationalised Coal, Railways, power, Steel, creation of NHS, system of social security inspired by beveridge report
- labour gov’s between 45’ and 79’ were a version of social democracy
7
Q
What was old labour’s economic policies
A
- Keynesian economics, so it didn’t exploit workforce and for there to be full employment and equality of opportunity
8
Q
How did Old labour breakdown, and face defeat in the 79’ election to Thatcher and the cons
A
- James Callaghan was defeated, splitting the party between moderate social democrats and more left wing elements, who became in charge of party under Michael Foot
- Labour lost the 83’ election, as they wanted more nationalisation, abolition of nuclear weapons and withdrawal from EEC, this manifesto is often referred to as ‘longest suicide note in history’
- Led to Neil kinnock being new labour leader
9
Q
How did new labour follow on from old labour
A
- in early 80’s Labour moved away from hard left position to broaden its support
- Party recognised it couldn’t just rely on working class to win elections
- had 2 more defeats in 87 and 92, and Tony Blair played a big role in Revamping the party
10
Q
How did Labour Party change under New labour
A
- rebranded ‘new labour’, aimed to find a third way between free-market capitalism and old-style socialism under Anthony Goddens
- party dropped some unpopular proposals, as well as degrading power of trade unions
- party became pro-European, and presented a positive image through the media
- key changes to constitution (devolution, HOL, HRA, British Supreme Court)
11
Q
What was Gordan Brown’s response to the 2008 financial crisis
A
- treasury pumped money into banking system in order to boost economic activity, part-nationalised key banks to restore confidence
- Brown broke a promise about taxes, created a 50% tax bracket for earnings over 150k
- Brown also proposed to maintain public spending, which was a bit unpopular
12
Q
How did Corbin become leader in 2015, and why did he fail
A
- after defeat to SNP in Scotland, many called for more radical approach and more left wing
- won his second leadership contest in 2016, leading to a huge divide within labour
- Corbin and his Chancellor McDonnel were socialists, as were many of labour’s MPs
- Marginally lost 2017 election, suffered worst defeat since 1935 in 2019, showing public rejection of his Left-wing manifesto, and a show of his weak leadership in not managing anti-semitism amongst the labour MPs
13
Q
How has Starmer gradually moved labour closer to New Labour again
A
- Starmer suspended Corbin from labour in oct 2020 after Human rights watchdog concluded labour broke the law by failing to stamp out anti-semitism
14
Q
What were the policies and ideas of Labour Party under New labour
A
- Economic: Didn’t increase taxes, in 02’ increases national insurance and increased money spent on NHS. Introduced a minimum wage of £3.60 (trade unions wanted it to be higher).
- Law and order: ‘tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime’ - Blair. Brought in ASBO’S to deal with anti-social behaviour, anti-terror measures promoted safety. Supported and facilitated immigration, around 200k came to England per year under New labour
- Welfare policy: consistently increased spending on NHS and education, core spend per pupil rose 48% under new labour
- Foreign Policy: Supported invasion of Iraq in 2003, unpopular
15
Q
What were policies and ideas of Labour Party under Corbyn
A
- Economic policy: Pledged a tax bracket of 50% for those earning 125k, in 2019 pledging 6 key nationalisations, rail, mail, water, energy, Broadband, leading to 200 billion increase in assets
- Law + order: cuts to police numbers, focused on poverty and inequality, rejected tough on crime stance, also pledging to end immigration targets
- Welfare policy: opposed benefit cuts, wanted a wholly state run NHS. Wanted to scrap tuition fees, and end private schools
- Foreign policy: wanted UK out of NATO, said they’d do another referendum on Brexit
16
Q
What are the current policies of the Labour Party under Starmer
A
-Economic policy: Deliver stability with tough spending rules, parnersup with business to boost growth, national wealth fund to invest in jobs, planning to built 1.5 million homes, Reeves cut welfare
- Law and order: more neighbourhood police, tough penalties for offenders, get knives off streets, specialist rape unit in every police force
- welfare policy: Reeves cut welfare benefits by 5 billion, aim to increase GDP of army to 2.5%. Want to revolutionise NHS, abolished it
- Foreign policy: committed to NATO, seen in trump-Starmer meetings
17
Q
What are the origins of the Conservative Party
A
- originated in late 17th Century, aristocratic group, wanted to defend privileges of the crown and the church, by 1830s, committed to defence of property and against threat of revolution
- by appealing to middle class and aristocracy, conservatives broadened their support
18
Q
What are one nation conservatives
A
- associated with Benjamin Disraeli, sought to bridge the gulf between the classes through a paternalistic social policy. Nobless Oblige (‘natural leaders’ support lower classes in return for acceptance of their rule)
- Disraeli won support through his social policy and foreign policy
19
Q
How was one-nation conservatism revived in the post war period
A
- ideology peaked post ww2, accepting labour changed from 45-51’ under Attlee, priding themselves on being pragmatic. This period known as the ‘post-war consensus’
20
Q
What was Thatcherism and the new right
A
- moved away from one nation conservatism
- reduced state intervention in economy, restore order to society in face of militant trade unions
- won 3 elections from 79 until resigning in 90, used Keynesian economics, and opposed nationalisation in favour of privatisation (belief in free market)
- Foreign policy, against Soviet Union, and against joining Europe, strong relationship with the US
21
Q
What came in between Thatcher and Cameron
A
- John Major elected in 1990, privatised coal and railways, narrowly won 1992 election
- however internal scandals, unpopular poll tax, and divisions over Europe led to huge defeat in 97
- Major was a moderate pro-European who failed to unify factions within his party
22
Q
How did Cameron detoxify the Conservative Party
A
- elected as lease in 2005, as a ‘liberal conservative’. He valued the environment and the NHS. So he shifted conservatives back to one-nation conservatism
23
Q
How did Cameron seek to move away from Thatcherism
A
- whilst he was respectful to Thatcherism, Cameron emphasised the bonds between people arguing for cooperation between state and voluntary sector
24
Q
What were the conservatives main policies and ideas under Thatcher
A
- economic policy: greatly reduced taxes + public spending to promote individualism
- top rate of income tax was reduced from 83% to 40%, and in first few years spending was cut by 1 billion. Introduced right-to-buy scheme as well
- Law and order policy: she took on the unions, labelling them the ‘enemy from within’. She increased budgets for police and armed forces. She was very tough on crime
- Welfare policy: 1988 Education act, made schools self governing, didn’t privatise NHS
- Foreign policy: Against USSR, regained the Falkland Islands, sceptical of growing EU, but supported EEC, special relations with US, and Reagon.
25
What were the conservatives main policies and ideas under Cameron
- Economic policy: aimed to reduce budget deficit inherited from labour. Budgets of government departments cut by 25%, cut taxes in 2015, and blamed 2008 financial crisis on labour spending
- Law and order: had a more liberal attitude, promoted a ‘rehabilitation revolution’ to discourage reoffending, was tough on certain crimes though
- Welfare policy: Universal credit system introduced
- Foreign Policy: held referendum for Brexit, resigned when he lost
26
What are the current policies under Kenny Badenoch
Economic policy: ‘badenomics’, bring down taxes, reward risk takers and entrepreneurs
Law and order: bar on trans women in public spaces, tough stance on crime
Welfare policym no idea
Foreign policy: tough stance on illegal immigration
27
How is the spring statement welfare cuts an example of labour being more aligned with new labour then old?
- March 25’ Reeves made her spring statement. This was geared towards a more centrist ideology, arguably centre right, showing how public attitudes can influence governments to shift their ideological positions as Support for reform was damaging labour in the polls
- one major part was cuts to welfare, particularly to disabled people, meaning number of people in poverty will rise to 14.5 million
- also announced 1 billion will be spent on helping people get back into work and 400 million for job centres
- New labour wanted to give a hand up, not a handout, exactly as labour are doing now, not wanting a dependency culture
28
How have labour adopted a more right wing approach to their immigration policy
- May 2025, Starmer made a immigration announcement, aiming to reduce net migration, and tighten border controls
- Starmer received backlash for claiming immigration had made Britain an island of strangers
- after previously being firmly opposed to the Rwanda plan in 2024, this shows a significant shift in labour policy
29
How has Keir Starmer labour shown traits of old and new labour?
- May 2025, Gov announced 8.2 mil for maths support programmes to help girls and pupils from disadvantaged secondary schools into AI careers
- this is consistent with old and new labour’spolicy of equality of opportunity, and in line with education being a huge policy of labour, like when Blair said ‘education, education, education as top priority
30
What are the policies of the Lib Dem’s
- economy: want more state control
- Welfare: more public services, 8k more GPs, legalise cannabis
- State: legalise voting to 16-17 year olds
- foreign: repair relationship with Europe
- Environment: net zero by 2035
