Parties- core essay plans Flashcards
(28 cards)
What are your 3 paragraph themes for this question: “Evaluate the view that Labour and Conservatives are the only two parties that matter in UK politics”
General elections, Political agenda and media focus, importance outside Westminster
Argument for the idea UK is a two party system(general elections)
in terms of general elections the UK remains a two party system
All the governments formed since 1945 have been Con or Lab PM
The Con and Lab parties continue to dominate in terms of the percentage of votes and more emphatically in terms of the number of seats
The two main parties continue to dominate due to their clear advantage in terms of party funding
FPTP favours the two main parties
Argument against the idea UK is a two party system(general elections)
the evidence shows that a two party system has not been the case in the UK since 1974. due to a breakdown in class based voting, strong party identification and emergence of new political issues
Between 1975-2015 the Liberals/Lib Dems secured around 20% of the votes cast and held a significant number of seats in the house of commons most notably 47 in 2005 and 43 in 2010 during the Coalition
Labour was dominant in Scotland until the independence debate which saw the rise of the SNP, Labour in 2010 had won 41 out of 59 seats but in 2015 they won just one seat in Scotland.
In two od the four elections between 2010 and 2019 the elections did not deliver a majority government for one of the two main parties
Argument for the idea UK is a two party system(political agenda and media focus)
the two main parties still set the political agenda and dominate the media
The key policy ideas are still generated by the main parties, while the main parties are the only parties that can realistically win power and deliver on their promises
Media coverage remains focused on the main parties and their leaders in particular
Argument against the idea UK is a two party system(political agenda and media focus)
increasingly the political agenda is being shaped by minor or emerging parties
Both the EU ref and IND ref emerged from the SNP or UKIP
UKIP, Brexit party and Reform have always focused on heavily reducing immigration and same with the green party and the environment and climate change
The DUP in return for its support of the Con Government in 2017 won additional annual spending commitments for NI
Argument for the idea UK is a two party system(importance outside westminster)
while other elections are important the key elections take place for Westminster as this is the seat of power
At Westminster the big two parties continue to dominate winning 87.3% of the seats in 2019
Westminster sets the direction while the SNP opposes the Con party Brexit approach and wants a second referendum, ultimately the government will take the decisions
Argument against the idea UK is a two party system(importance outside westminster)
Outside of Westminster the two party system has fragmented into a multi party system
The Scottish parliament was controlled until 2007 by Lab/Lib Dem coalition, but than Alex Sammond and the SNP formed a minority government and have stayed in power since and formed a majority in 2011 and 2016
Welsh parliament has had four different types of government: a majority Labour administration, a minority Labour administration, a Lab/Lib Dem coalition and a coalition between Lab and plaid Cymru
What are your 3 paragraph themes for “Evaluate the view that the Conservative party is no longer a Thatcherite party”
Economy, welfare, foreign policy
What is your argument that Conservatives are more one nation(economy)
- Economic policies suggest One Nation Conservatism has been dominant recently.
- Example: Covid-19 response – Rishi Sunak (then Chancellor) introduced furlough and Eat Out to Help Out, costing over £100 billion.
- To offset costs, corporation tax was raised from 19% to 25%, reflecting pragmatism and support for businesses and lower-income workers.
- Demonstrates ‘Noblesse Oblige’, a key One Nation principle.
- Environmental strategy under Boris Johnson aligns with One Nation Conservatism.
- Commitment to Net Zero by 2050 through clean energy investment and green infrastructure.
- Represents larger state intervention, contrasting with neoliberal conservatism.
- A government-led approach to economic growth and innovation.
- However, some policies still reflect neoliberal influences.
- 2019 tax policy: First £12,500 earned tax-free – while appearing One Nation, it aligns more with neoliberalism (tax cuts).
- Indicates that even policies framed as One Nation can have neoliberal characteristics.
- Suggests One Nation Conservatism is not the dominant ideology in the Conservative Party.
What is your argument that Conservatives are more Thatcherite (economy)
- Neoliberalism and the New Right may be the dominant ideology in Conservative economic policy.
- Example: Boris Johnson’s tax policies – Pledged to raise the 40p tax rate threshold from £50,000 to £80,000, costing £9.6 billion annually.
- Reflects neoliberal aims of tax cuts to incentivise trickle-down economics.
- Liz Truss reinforced a strong neoliberal agenda.
- Proposed largest tax cuts in 40 years, slashing the top rate of tax from 45% to 40%, with a £45 billion cut over five years.
- Although the policy was scrapped, her leadership campaign focused on low taxation and a reduced state, suggesting party alignment with neoliberalism.
- Her selection over Rishi Sunak by the party suggests strong neoliberal influence within the Conservative Party.
- Even traditionally One Nation politicians embraced neoliberal policies.
- Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt, despite leaning more One Nation than New Right, pledged corporation and income tax cuts in their election campaign.
- Suggests neoliberal fiscal policy dominates, even among more centrist figures, as a strategy to appeal to party members and increase vote share.
What is your argument that Conservatives are more one nation(welfare)
- 2019 Conservative manifesto commitments to public services:
- NHS: Pledged to build 40 hospitals, hire 17,000 doctors and 17,000 nurses, and increase spending by 3.4% per year.
- Education: Promised increased funding to £4,000 per primary school pupil and £5,000 per secondary pupil to promote equality and opportunity.
- Challenges in delivering these commitments:
- Impact of the pandemic and rising debt raise doubts about the ability to uphold One Nation promises while maintaining Thatcherite fiscal discipline.
- 2021 budget: Public spending projected to be only 2.1% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2025-26, limiting room for further investment in public services.
- Austerity and rolling back the state (2010-2019):
- Benefits system overhaul: Introduction of benefits cap, universal credit, and benefits freeze as part of Osborne’s austerity agenda.
- Cuts to public spending affected the NHS, education, and community services, with a push for greater competition in service delivery for efficiency.
- NHS spending growth between 2010-2019 was 2% per year, half of the 4% growth seen in the 2000s.
What is your argument that Conservatives are more Thatcherite (welfare)
What they are:
Benefit Cap limits the total amount of benefits a household can receive.
Two-Child Limit restricts child tax credit or Universal Credit payments to the first two children in a family.
Thatcherite element: These policies reflect a belief in limiting state dependency and encouraging personal responsibility in family planning and financial decisions.
What it is: A single benefit payment replacing six legacy benefits (e.g., Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit).
Thatcherite element: Encourages work by making employment more financially rewarding than welfare dependency. The system emphasizes conditionality (e.g., work search requirements) and sanctions for non-compliance.
What is your argument that Conservatives are more one nation(Foreign policy)
he one nation caucus within the party feels that the party had been captured by the EU ideologues of the New Right who will pursue hard Brexit whatever the cost to the nation. They argue for a closer relationship with Europe
Commitment to Foreign Aid (0.7% GDP Target)
What it is: A pledge to spend 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) on foreign aid.
One Nation element: Reflects a moral responsibility to help poorer nations, especially during global crises like famine or war. This was strongly supported by David Cameron’s One Nation government.
Note: The commitment was temporarily reduced to 0.5% in 2021, but remains a key point of debate among One Nation Tories
Climate Diplomacy and COP26 Leadership
What it is: The UK’s leadership role in global climate efforts, including hosting COP26 in Glasgow (2021).
One Nation element: Recognizes climate change as a global issue needing cooperative solutions, and frames the UK’s role as a global steward for future generations
What is your argument that Conservatives are more Thatcherite(Foreign policy)
n the other hand are the hard Brexiteers, who had formed the European Reform Group (ERG) to push for a complete break with Europe to focus on a turn towards America, free trade deals with the wider world and a popular nationalism of returning power to the UK to make its own decisions
🔹 Close Alignment with the United States
What it is: Strong UK-US relations, especially under Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.
Thatcherite element: Reflects the “special relationship” Thatcher championed with Ronald Reagan — based on shared values of capitalism, democracy, and military strength.
🔹 Hardline Stances on China
What it is: Criticism of Chinese influence, tech restrictions (e.g., banning Huawei), and tough rhetoric on Hong Kong.
Thatcherite element: Reflects a clear-eyed view of global threats and willingness to stand up to authoritarian regimes, even if economically costly.
What are your 3 paragraph themes for this essay: “Evaluate the view that Labour are still a party of New Labour”
Economy, welfare and foreign policy
What is your argument for still New Labour(economy)
- Fiscal policy: Recognises market forces while aiming for progressive taxation, keeping the top rate well below 86% (1970s levels).
- Corporation tax: Plans to return rates to New Labour levels but opposed immediate tax hikes in 2021 to protect economic recovery.
- Climate policy: Links climate justice to economic justice, inspired by New Labour ideals.
- Proposes a Green New Deal as a central policy.
- Clean Air Act planned to tackle local pollution.
What is your argument for old labour (economy)
- Public ownership: Supports common ownership of rail, mail, energy, and water, opposing private profits for shareholders.
- Advocates ending outsourcing in NHS, local government, and justice system.
- Nationalisation: Corbyn’s 2019 manifesto proposed nationalising Royal Mail, utilities, and railways.
- Example: Scunthorpe steel nationalisation (April 2025) to preserve industry.
- Taxation & redistribution: Plans to increase income tax for the top 5% and clamp down on corporate tax avoidance.
- Economic intervention: Higher public spending to support key services.
- Raising national insurance for employers in Autumn 2024 budget.
What is your argument for old labour(welfare)
- Universal welfare support:
- 2019 manifesto: Proposed a National Care Service and scrapping Universal Credit in favor of a system aimed at ending poverty.
- Reflects the “Cradle to Grave” principle of state support.
- Education policy:
- 25% VAT on private schools introduced to reduce inequality.
- Aligns with Old Labour’s push to abolish tuition fees and encourage state school attendance.
Argument for new still new labour(welfare)
- £6 billion in welfare cuts announced, including:
- Changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) criteria.
- Reduced pay for long-term sick to encourage workforce participation.
- Prioritizes economic growth over an extensive welfare state, aligning with New Labour principles.
- Emphasis on social inclusion through minimum wage rather than redistribution:
- 2024 Labour manifesto: No increase in income tax or taxes on working people.
- Focuses on ending zero-hour contracts and raising the minimum wage.
- Suggests a shift toward community over class-based redistribution, reflecting New Labour ideology.
Argument for new still new labour(foreign policy)
Starmer who took over from Corbyn has argued that the UK should continue to accept the freedom of movement of people with the EU after Brexit
The party under Starmer has adopted a more open commitment at home to a sense of patriotism, with a more wholehearted support for investment in defence, the nuclear deterrent and NATO
Starmer is forging closer alliances with Europe such as the immigration deal with France
Argument for old labour(foreign policy)
The party pledges no more illegal wars, seeking to introduce a prevention of military intervention act that will make war only possible when certain legal steps have been achieved and it has been approved by a vote from parliament
Old Labour was historically Anti-EU due to what it perceived to be the lack of democracy and accountability within EU institutions. Jeremy Corbyn fell into this camp making him a very reluctant remainer
What are your 3 paragraphs for: “Evaluate the view that leadership is the main determinant of party success”
Leadership, media and party unity
Argument for leadership
David Cameron was seen as an effective party leader and was more popular than both his own party and the leaders of other parties and was the first sitting conservative to increase his parties vote share since 1955
Tony Blair seen as a strong leader delivering three election victories and saw off four conservative leaders
Nigel Farage helped grow the three parties he was a part of massively in particular reform and helping them gain seats
Argument against leadership
Despite Cameron being popular with the public he was less so in his party especially over the issues of Europe and didn’t manage to win a majority
Tony Blair again was increasingly unpopular within his own party over the tuition fees and Iraq war
Clegg was also unpopular after rise in tuition fees
