Jeremny Corbyn

Question 1

Economic policy:

Answer 1

Jeremy Corbyn took the Miliband-Balls idea of increased investment in the economy further, calling for large-scale funding of industry and infrastructure organised by a National Investment Bank. An important aim of this was to reduce regional inequalities. Corbyn called for the renationalisation of the railways, a policy the New Labour governments refused to adopt. Instinctively supporting intervention of an Old Labour kind, he demanded, for example,
that companies publish pay audits with the aim of countering discrimination in the workplace.
Like Miliband he favoured restoration of the 50 per cent top rate of income tax. However, Corbyn was much more clear-cut in his opposition to austerity, characterising it as a ‘political choice’ that
harmed the most vulnerable members of society, rather than an ‘economic necessity’.

Question 2

Welfare policy:

Answer 2

Corbyn strongly opposed benefit cuts. As a socialist he regarded the poor as the victims of capitalism, who are entitled to public support. He opposed the use of the private sector to deliver public services – a central aspect of New Labour. Thus he argued for a wholly
state-run NHS. In order to promote lifelong education and training, he called for a ‘national education service’, and opposed student tuition fees. By contrast Ed Miliband confined himself to advocating their reduction from £9,000 to £6,000 a year.

Question 3

Law and order policy:

Answer 3

Corbyn was opposed to the more hard-line policies of the New Labour era, such as increased powers to combat terrorism and the introduction of identity cards. This became a less controversial policy area within the Labour Party – both Blairites and Corbynites found common ground in opposing government cuts to police numbers, which they described as jeopardising public safety.

Question 4

Foreign policy:

Answer 4

Corbyn consistently voted against the use of force, and favoured the withdrawal of the UK from NATO’s military structure and the abolition of the Trident nuclear weapons system, again placing him at odds with New Labour. He and his then shadow foreign secretary,
Hilary Benn, took opposing positions in the December 2015 Commons vote on military intervention against ‘Islamic State’ terrorism. The party was so divided on the issue that Corbyn
had to allow his MPs a free vote. Corbyn followed the mainstream of his party in supporting continued British membership of the EU, emphasising its positive role in protecting workers’ rights, but more enthusiastic Labour pro-Europeans felt that he campaigned in a lukewarm manner in the 2016 referendum.