Political Parties Flashcards

Question

What are the National Conservatives?

Answer 1

Conference organised by the Edmund Burke foundation (led by American and Israeli flightwingers dedicated to building a new movement), past speakers are Viktor Orban (authoritatian leader of Hungary), Giorgia Meloni (populist Italian premier) Suella Braverman and Michael Gove Founding principles: 1. National independence- maintain its own borders, deter imperialism 2. God and public religion 3. Free enterprise- promotes prosperity, economic policy must serve general welfare of nation

Answer 2

Pressure group led by Liz Truss Public display of disunity as headline speakers were Jacob Rees-Mogg, Lee Anderson Right-wing Tories that back economic freedom and lower taxes, take on anti free-speech warriors and Sunak to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, even if it requires opting out of ECHR Development from the Free Market Forum faction that wrote Brittanica Unchained

Answer 3

Collectivism Common humanity Equality Social class Workers control Social justice YOU WILL NEED TO REFERENCE THESE IN ANY ESSAY ON PARTY FACTIONS

Answer 4

Created at start of 20th century. The Labour Representation Committee had 94% of affiliated membership from unions. The party was formed to represent the working class at a time when franchise hadn't been extended to them. 1918 decision to give all men over 21 the vote gave them the potential base of support. It originally pursued an agenda centred on socialism (in 19th century often seen as similar to communism). Socialism can be divided into revisionist (improve capitalism) or revolutionary (abolosh capitalism, common ownership). 1918 Constitution- the extension of the franchise to all adult men in 1918 coincided with the adoption of the new Labour Party constitution. Clause IV of that constitution provided a clear commitment to public ownership of key industries and the redistribution of wealth. Labour factions- home to many idealogical ones by 1970s, eg. PM Callaghan and right took view that public sector pay demands had to be resisted, whereas those on the left (eg. Michael Foot) still favoured greater wealth redistribution. Foot led Labour into 1983 GE with one of the most left-wing manifestos, including commitments to state control of all major industries, a withdrawal from NATO, after 1979 GE defeat of 'Winter of Discontent'. 1983 landslide victory, compared to Communist Manifesto Old Labour- GE defeats of 1979 and 1987 saw Labour looking to broader appeal beyond working class. Old Labour was the party with its historic commitment to socialism and links with trade unions. Clause IV was rewritten.

Answer 5

Original 1918 text- 'to secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production...' Reworded 1995 text- Dynamic economy, serving public interest, thriving private sector and high-quality public services

Answer 6

1994-2007 -New Labour -flexible/pragmatic -'catch-all' politics -markets, pro-business -targeted welfarism -social inclusion

Answer 7

Blairites: -Less comfortable with trade unions -Media management- spin doctors -Embracing of donations from business -Pro markets in public sector -Pro single currency -Foundation hospitals Brownites: -More comfortable with trade unions -Far less focus on marketing/brand -Greater transparency party funding -Less keen on markets in public sector -Wary of single currency -State-run NHS -Old Labour

Answer 8

2007- greeted with optimism by those on the left who felt that his commitment to take concept of social justice was greater than Blair (more equality of outcome rather than equality of opportunity, achieved through progressive taxation and other forms of wealth redistribution) 2007-08- financial crisis so nationalised a number of high-street banks and return of 'tax and spend' approach of Old Labour Constitutional Renewal Bill (2008) and Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (2010) largely failed to fulfil expectations

Answer 9

David Miliband was the foreign secretaty under Blair and was keen to distance himself from New Labour tag in wake of 2010 GE defeat, he wanted a 'Next Labour' but question of what it means dogged Labour's efforts to regroup under the leadership of his younger brother, Ed. He was the Labour leader as he heavily relied on backing of trade unions and struggled to establish a coalition of votees large enough to vote party back into office in 2015. This defeat meant those on the right thought he abandoned the formula that Blair used, those on left it was evidence of bankruptcy at heart of New Labour, model so should embrace socialism again.

Answer 10

2015-2020 -A committed socialist from left of party and was a social backbench rebel during New Labour who voted against the whip hundreds of times, against centre-right policies. Won the membership ballot as lack of idealogy with other candidates (too similar as centre-right New Labour but he was clearly socialist). But these also made it hard for him to demand/command loyalty or support from fellow Labour MPs. Reelected in 2016. His vision looked back towards pre-New Labour policies from 1970s-early 1980s like: negative full employment and an economy that works for all -national education service -cut income/wealth inequality -peace/justice in foreign policy -environmentalism -investment in NHS/housing and social care -interventionist within economic affairs -put public back into economy and services, eg. public ownership of Royal Mail, railways He wanted to regulate private landlords in the housing market. His own messaging on Brexit and their approach to dealing with anti-Semitism allegations damaged chances at 2019 GE. ECHR's report into party's handling of anti-semitism (Oct 2020) led to Corbyn being suspended from Labour (already replaced by Starmer).

Answer 11

Left-leaning think tank, membership movement, democratically governed socialist society, Labour affiliate and one of their original founders. Stand for greater equality of power, wealth and opportunity, value of collective action and public service, accountable and active democracy.

Answer 12

First year of his leadership saw Labour consciously shifting back to more centrist positions. Covid so he wanted to support the national effort to protect NHS and save lives but it made it harder for him to provide clear opposition. Good at PMQs but internal opposition from hard left who felt Corbyn had been 'stashed in the back' by Blairites. Missions: -Secure highest sustained growth in G7 -Make Britain a clean energy superpower (0 carbon electricity by 2030) -Build an NHS fit for future (faster treatment, less preventable illness) -Make Britain's streets safe (reform police and justice system) -Break down barriers to opportunity at every stage 6 key changes to governance: 1) Organising government around a shared vision 2) Focusing on real world impact 3) Focusing on the ends, with flexibility and innovation on the means 4) Devolving decision-making away from Westminster to those with experience, knowledge and expertise 5) Injecting more accountability into government 6) Approaching problems with a long-term, preventative approach

Answer 13

-A socialist and anti-racist organisation. -Committed to a shift in wealth and power to working class in all its diversity -Role to build popular support for socialist ideas and policies through education and campaigns with an aim to elect a socialist Labour government to deliver them

Answer 14

-Revolutionary socialist party -Fight against oppression, exploitation and environmental destruction by movements, strikes and protests -Problems in society come from capitalism, solution is a revolution

Answer 15

-A force within Labour party committed to politics of the common good -Socialism is both radical (economic redistribution and workers' rights, devolve power to working people and critical of capitalism and globalsiation to working people) and conservative (defends traditional values like family, cultural identity, nationalism, values social order) -Starting point is democratic renewal, goal is a democratic self-governing society (local democracy rather than central government decisions and more participatory) -Maurice Glasman (2010) started it -Family etc. holds society together

Answer 16

No Good strategy as won't face strong opposition in their parties from people with different ideas and beliefs, more unity as neutral (bridge). Can be more flexible with policy and respond to public opinion and crises without pressure from internal groups. They don’t owe their position to one faction, so they aren’t forced to favour specific MPs or groups in cabinet appointments or policymaking. Poor strategy as can be viewed as not having a strong idealogy so not good for leadership. Without a loyal faction, a PM might struggle to push through controversial policies, or survive leadership challenges. They may be seen as ideologically vague or untrustworthy by party activists and MPs.

Answer 17

Blair- New Labour (market-driven policies, privatisation of some public services, and economic liberalism) Thatcher- Thatcherites (right-wing, free-market, individualism, strong stance on trade unions, supported monetarism, privatisation, and deregulation of the economy) Thatcherism emphasized free markets, private enterprise, and individual responsibility. It encouraged people to rely on themselves rather than the state or welfare systems, reflecting a strong commitment to individualism. The idea was that individuals, rather than the state, should drive economic progress and social mobility, with minimal state intervention in the economy. Corbyn- Corbynites (advocating for socialist policies, nationalisation of industries, and anti-austerity stances. He positioned himself in contrast to the Blairite faction)

Answer 18

1) Individualism 2) Freedom 3) Limited state 4) Tolerance 5) Social justice 6) Liberal democracy YOU WILL NEED TO REFERENCE THESE IN ANY ESSAY ON PARTY FACTIONS.

Answer 19

Four moderate Labour politicians left Labour party; set up Social Democratic Party (1981) SDP- Liberal Alliance (1983) was between 2 parties for 1983 and 1987 GEs then they merged, merged into Social and Liberal Democrats (1988) and became Liberal Democrats (1989). Bill Rodgers, Roy Jenkins, Shirley Williams and David Owen- they believed Labour had fallen under the control of a left-wing clique led by Michael Foot after their defeat in 1979 GE so they left to form SDP.

Answer 20

'Orange Book liberals': -Neo-liberal economic model -Classical liberal influences -Pro-market agenda -Reduction in taxation -Comfortable with 2010 coalition -Endorse Thatcherite individuals -Key individuals are Nick Clegg, Ed Davey and David Laws 'Social liberals': -Modern liberal economic model -Beveridge/Keynes -Welfarism -More redistributive -Less comfortable with 2010 coalition -Reject Thatcherite economics -Key individuals are Tim Farron and Simon Hughes

Answer 21

President since Jan 2020 -Classical liberalism aimed to control the size of the state, especially its military expenditure, and to promote international free trade, valued political freedoms- libertarianism views property rights on natural rights --Social liberalism believed all of this plus redistributing taxation and public services (distribute wealth and power) and democracy and fair- this is what politics mean by liberalism -Founded in 1988 through merger of the Liberal party and Social Democratic party- part of coalition government in Westminster from 2010-15, also In Scotland, they formed a coalition with Labour in the Scottish Parliament from 1999 to 2007. They’ve also had representation and occasional ministerial roles in Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament), though with more limited influence. -Centre-left, liberal vs. authoritarian dislike question of left vs. right -72 MPs in HoC, also 1000s of local government representatives -Stand for a fair, free and open society where they want to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, no one enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity- pro-European, political reform (PR for public elections), education, environment, civil liberties -Policy-making process is really democratic, grassroots members have a lot of power to decide what happens -Current leader is Ed Davey

Answer 22

-Emerged in 19th century -Early form of liberalism favouring minimal state intervention -Importance of freedom, toleration and equality -Self-reliance and self-improvement play a bigger part than state in improving lives of less privileged -Some of its agenda was adopted by the Thatcherite New Right from later 1970s to neo-liberals

Answer 23

-Most compassionate form that sees need for some regulation of market and provision of basic welfare -Originally advanced by writers like T.H. Green and L.T. Hobhouse -Developed into mixed economy supported by Keynes and Beveridge -Emphasises on reform, individual rights and a mixed economy provided the idealogical foundation for LibDems (liberal centre parties)

Answer 24

Leader from 2007, LDs developed a programme for government that included more orthodox LibDem policies on issues like constitutional reform (2011 SV ref, elected HOL through HOL reform bill 2012 but dropped as strong opposition from Tory backbenchers which wanted to make 80% elected through PR and drop hereditary peers) and protection of civil liberties, alongside other pledges that appeased to challenge the tenets upon which the party had been founded- offering prospect of significant tax cuts, if elected. This marked triumph of 'Orange Book' liberals over social liberals, while also making possibility of coalition with Conservatives more conceivable. Fallout from this coalition (betrayal by LibDems) saw party reduced from 57 MPs in 2010 to 8 in 2015. Before the 2010 election, the Lib Dems pledged to abolish tuition fees — a core promise that helped win the student vote. In coalition, they voted to triple tuition fees (from ~£3,000 to £9,000/year) as part of a compromise with the Tories. Seen as a massive betrayal by students, young people, and the left — and it destroyed trust in the party. The Lib Dems entered the coalition hoping to push through electoral reform (like PR), House of Lords reform, and a more democratic constitution. They got a referendum on AV, but it failed, and their House of Lords reform bill collapsed. The coalition introduced major public spending cuts (austerity) to reduce the budget deficit after the financial crisis. Lib Dems were seen as backing Tory austerity, even though many of their voters opposed it. Lost credibility as a progressive alternative Policies of Orange Book faction

Answer 25

2020-present -Focus on environmental and human rights (ECHR) -Rejoin the EU single market -Social liberal

Answer 26

72 seats, up by 61

Answer 27

Lost 48/56 MPs at 2015 GE after coalition 23% of vote, 57 seats in 2010

Answer 28

4 new MPs: -Sian Berry MP (Brighton Pavilion) -Ellie Chowns MP (North Herefordshire) -Carla Denyer MP (Bristol Central) -Adrian Ramsay MP (Waveney Valley) 2024 GE manifesto: -Providing fairer, greener homes for all -Defending human rights, democracy and justice -Building a fairer, healthier country -Creating a fairer, greener economy

Answer 29

-150,000 new social homes every year, rent controls, end to no-fault evictions -A year-on-year reduction in waiting lists, guaranteed access to NHS dentist/GP (same day if urgent) -Replace FPTP for elections with more proportionate, replace HOL with 2nd chamber, 16-year old votes, renew court system with a £2.5bn investment -A £40bn investment per year in shift to a green economy, carbon tax, railways, water companies and Big 5 retail energy companies into public ownership, wealth tax of 1% annually on assets over £10million and of 2% when above £1bn Still a third party as they won 6.7% of votes and 4/650 seats.

Answer 30

Founded in 2021 as a relaunch of the Brexit Party. They cost the Conservatives a lot of voters from the political Right in 2024 GE. They were one point ahead of Tories for first time in YouGov polls before GE. Farage's return led to a 'political revolt', he replaced Richard Tice (led them since 2021). They gained their first MP in March after Lee Anderson (former deputy chairman of the Tory party, defected following his suspension over a row about Sadiq Khan). Tice and Farage announced the Brexit Party would become Reform UK on Nov 1 2020 in an article for The Telegraph published at the start of the second Covid lockdown. They declared 'lockdowns don't work' and called for sweeping reform of major institutions beyond the pandemic. Reform stood candidates at the London Assembly, Scottish Parliament and Senedd elections in 2021 but didn't pick up any seats but gathered just over 42,500 supporters across all 3 elections. Won 2 council seats in Derby in 2021. Backing n polls remained at 3 percentage points in 2021, then 6 at end of 2022 then 10.1 at March 2023. They promised sweeping cuts to levies including corporation and inheritance tax during highest tax burden since WW2 with a further peak projected later that decade. Net migration reached record levels in 2022 so Tory voters moved to Reform as they promised 'net zero immigration', leaving ECHR and declaring illegal immigration as a national security threat. They want to introduce an immigration tax that would face employers to pay a higher National Insurance rate on foreign workers. Pledged a 20% national insurance rate for every foreign worker (13.8% for domestic British workers). Abolish net zero targets. Anger over Cameron as Foreign Secretary (against Brexit, liberal right).

Answer 31

'Our Contract With You' 1) Freezing all non-essential immigration to boost wages, protest public services and housing crisis and crime 2) Detain and deport illegal immigrants and take migrants in small boats back to France if needed 3) Zero NHS waiting lists, cut back office waste, tax breaks for doctors and nurses 4) Increase income tax starting threshold to £20k, takes 7 million people off income tax to reduce unemployment benefits as if people keep more of their income, fewer will need unemployment benefits or top-up support (like Universal Credit). Greater work incentives might reduce benefit claims and get more people into jobs. 5) Scrap energy levies and Net Zero to slash energy bills and save each household £500 per year

Answer 32

They won 14.3% of votes and 5/650 seats, still a third as small amount of seats.

Answer 33

-Cutting corporation tax Raising personal allowance (Letting people earn more before paying income tax (personal allowance had been rising steadily under the Tories). Goal: Help low/middle-income earners keep more of their pay. Risk: Reduces tax revenue; benefits middle earners more than the very poorest (who often already fall below the threshold). -Maintain personal allowance -Maintain rates of VAT while achieving a balanced budget by 2025 -Remove triple lock on pensions -Means-test winter fuel allowance and adult social care by considering people's homes and other assets -Increase school budget by £4bn -Dementia tax -Increase NHS investment by £8bn by 2022/23

Answer 34

-Introduce a £250bn stimulus package over 10 years (Massive government investment in infrastructure (transport, broadband, housing, green energy, etc.). Goal: Create jobs, modernise the economy, and stimulate growth — especially in left-behind regions. Keynesian: Based on the idea that during periods of low demand or economic stagnation, the government should spend big to boost the economy.) -Increase corporation tax (Conservatives were cutting it to 17%, Labour proposed raising it to ~26%). -Increase top rate of tax to 50p in the pound for those earning above £80k -Raising employment and support allowances by £30 per week -Increase carer's allowance by £11 per week -Housing benefits for under-21s -More free childcare to 30 hours -Increase NHS investment

Answer 35

-Balance day-to-day spending by increasing income tax for everyone by 1p in the pound, using it to fund a £100bn investment in infrastructure -Favoured withdrawal of winter fuel payments for wealthy pensioners -Increase overall school budget in England by £7bn -Extra 1p on all income tax bands for NHS

Answer 36

Labour and LDs- maintain triple lock on pensions, review and reverse cuts to universal tax credits, opposed Tory plan to replace free school lunch with breakfast and introduction of new grammar schools All 3- raising spending on health Tory and LD- maintaining student tuition fees (Labour abolish_

Answer 37

-Brexit: Introduce Withdrawal Agreement Bill by Christmas 2019, leave EU in Jan 2020, negotiate EU trade agreement without extension to 'transition period' -Law and order: Provide 200,000 more police officers and 10,000 more prison places, tougher sentences for some violent and sex offenders, end automatic release at half-sentence for most serious crimes, limit UK entry for overseas offenders. -Economy: Established a £400bn national transformation fund to invest in infrastructure and law-carbon energy, issue government bonds to finance nationalisation of railways, broadband, utilities, infrastructure, postal services etc. -Education: Scrap tuition fees, return free schools and academics to local authority control, close tax loopholes for private schools, up to 6 years' free learning and training for adults, 1 year paid maternity leave. -Environment: Green New Deal to achieve most of UK's emissions reduced by 2030, create 1 million green jobs in energy sector

Answer 38

-Brexit: Revoke Article 50 if elected, if not campaign for confirmatory referendum, give EU citizens, give EU citizens who've lived in UK for 5 years right to vote -Law and order: £500m ring-fenced fund for youth services, make stop and search proportionate -Economy: Use £50bn 'Remain bonus' to invest in public services, £62.9bn more on day-to-day government spending and £130bn more on infrastructure -Education: Reinstate maintenance grants for poorest students. £30k starting salary for teachers, £10k 'skills wallet' for people to spend on retraining, reverse cuts to school funding, free childcare from 9 months ago for working parents, and age 2 for all -Environment: Invest in renewable to generate at least 80% of UK electricity by 2030, all new cars to be electric by 2030. 70% target for waste recycling.

Answer 39

Labour and LDs- Labour 30 hours' free nursery care a week for 2-4 year olds, stop and search Conservative and LDs- £30k starting salary All- infrastructure Conservative and Labour- more police officers

Answer 40

-Economy: Help to Buy Scheme- equity loan of up to 20% towards buying a new home, abolition of NI for self-employed, more personal tax-free allowance for pensioners -NHS: Increase number of doctors and nurses by 120,000, cap on care costs, tie new dentists into working with NHS for years after qualifying, 40 new hospitals -Education: Fund 100,000 extra apprenticeships a year, close university courses with high dropout rates -Law and order: Increase number of community police officers by 8000, toughen sentences for offences like knife crime and grooming, legal cap on migration through annual number of work and family visas, regular flights to Rwanda every month -Environment: Net zero by 2050, any big new decisions on climate will be put to a vote in Parliament, local communities will be able to vote on new onshore wind projects

Answer 41

Economy: Raise £8bn by clamping down on tax avoidance and non-dom tax etc. NHS: 40,000 more NHS appointments and operations a week (2m a year) through weekends and private sector Education: 20% VAT to private school fees to pay for 6,500 more teachers in state schools Law and Order: Scrap Rwanda scheme for Border and Security Command Environment: 2030 ban on petrol and diesel car sales, £23.7bn spending for green initiatives, eg. Great British Energy to create 650,000 jobs by 2030 (£1.7bn a year), £1.1bn a year to improve energy efficiency in homes

Answer 42

Economy: Spend almost £27bn more a year by 2029, increasing levies on banks (up to £4bn), raise £7bn by tax avoidance but not by £1bn in HMRC NHS: 8,000 more GPs in England, give all urgently referred patients a 62-day guarantee to begin treatment Education: Triple early years pupil premium to £1000, bring back maintenance grants for students from low income families Law and order: Scrap Rwanda Scheme, cancel the current salary threshold for migrant workers Environment: Net zero by 2045, 90% of power will be generated by 2030, free insulation and heat pumps for low income household

Answer 43

Labour and LD- no Rwanda Conservatives and LDs- net zero

Answer 44

Traditional idealogical movements that had taken root in the 19th century and flourished in the early 20th century lost their power to inspire and mobilise the manes by 1950s. Political parties would offer piecemeal, incremental changes rather than a more fundamental reordering of society along idealogical lines. British political parties have moderated their traditional idealogical positions as part of an effort to appeal to a wide range of voters since 1990s. Possibility of a return to a more adversial form of UK party politics from election of Corbyn as Labour leader and Johnson as Tory leader in 2019 but by 2021 Corbyn replaced and suspended.

Answer 45

1) Yes: The 3 main parties are all essentially social democratic in nature. They're concerned with making piecemeal changes rather than imposing an idealogical model. No: They still have distinct idealogical traditions and a committed core support. 2) Yes: The idealogical wings of each of the 3 main parties have been marginalised No: The election of Corbyn as Labour leader in 2015 offered the prospect of a return to idealogically polarised parties 3) Yes: There are significant overlaps in the stated policies of the 3 main parties No: The rise of a smaller idealogical and single-issue parties and pressure groups suggests that idealogy still matters to a big proportion of the electorate

Answer 46

Those who join party are assigned to a local branch (lowest level). Branches select candidates for local elections and send delegates to General Committee of the Constituency Labour Party (CLP) who organise Labour at constituency level. National Executive Committee enforces party discipline, ensures smooth running of party, oversees policy proposals etc, but role fell in 1990s. Lot of the day-to-day organisation is managed from its Labour Central headquarters.

Answer 47

Branches corresponding to local council wards operate below the constituency level Conservative Associations. They organise the party and plan election campaigns. Party's organised around the Conservative Campaign Headquarters.

Answer 48

Separate national parties in England. Scotland and Wales operate with a fair degree of autonomy within their own geographical jurisdictions- regional parties also exist under each national one. English LDs are governed by the English Council. LD's Federal board is made up of representatives from other party groupings and chaired by party leaders- shape strategic direction of LDs.

Answer 49

Candidates must secure the nomination of 20% of Parliamentary Labour Party to qualify for ballot, plus supprt of either 5% of Constituency Labour parties or at least 3 affiliate organisations (2 must be trade unions) representing a minimum of 5% of the affiliated membership. Party members and registered supports vote on a one member, one vote basis under a preferential ballot system.

Answer 50

MPs vote in a series of ballots designed to narrow down the field of leadership candidates down to 2. Party members vote on a one member, one vote basis to decide which of those 2 candidates become party leader (OMOV).

Answer 51

Candidates must secure the nomination of 20 local parties or 200 party members to qualify for the ballot. Party members vote on OMOV basis under an alternative vote system.

Answer 52

1) Hopefuls must get their names on to a centrally vetted, approved list of prospective candidates. 2) The local party draws up a shortlist from those approved candidates. 3) Constituency party members vote for their preferred candidate, whether in person at a meeting or by postal ballot.

Answer 53

A meeting at which an election candidate can address local voters, as well as paid-up party members.

Answer 54

A popular ballot in which all registered voters (not just party members) have a hand in selecting the candidate who will run in the election proper.

Answer 55

Lists of candidates intended as a means of boosting the number of women and minority ethnic Conservative MPs.

Answer 56

A Labour Party initiative which requires a constituency party to draw up an entirely female shortlist from which their parliamentary candidate will be chosen.

Answer 57

1993-1996 It was briefly outlined under the Sex Discrimination Act in 1996 but government amended legislation to allow such lists. Exemption was enshrined in Equality Act 2010. Used in many safe seats which lead to significant increase in the number of women MPs returned to Parliament in 1997 GE.

Answer 58

They serve to discriminate against suitably able and qualified male candidates. At 2005 GE, Peter Land was prevented from seeking election as official Labour party candidate due to list, so he stood as an independent candiate and was elected to represent the constituency of Blaenam Guernt.

Answer 59

From 1997 they adopted a 2 year policy-making cycle. The National Policy Forum appointed policy commissions to make proposals which were then formalised in the National Executive Committee, before passing to the party conference for approval. This helps avoid nasty surprises at conferences but reduces them as policies agreed elsewhere. 2010 GE manifesto drafted widely by Ed Miliband, 2015's by a term of academics and MPs. 2019's was widely credited to Corbyn's head of policy, Andrew Fisher but also collaborative input from many leading Labour figures.

Answer 60

Until the late 1990s, it was largely determined by its leader, who canvassed views of senior colleagues on front benches, 1922 Committee, party grassroots memberships. 2010 GE manifesto written entirely by Cameron, Olive Letwin and Steve Hilton (Cameron's director of strategy). Jo Johnson drafted 2015's. 2019's was co-authored by Rachel Wolf, a founding partner of the policy and research company, Public First.

Answer 61

Their federal structure once led commentators to argue they had the most democratic process, but the LD's leadership influence over the Federal Policy Committee has also allowed it to steer policy. Their promise to revoke Article 50 if returned to office appeared to originate with leader Jo Swinson but still had to be signed off by party.

Answer 62

Labour's former Treasury economist Ravinder Athwal.

Answer 63

Group including Lord Dick Newby (leader of LD in HOL since 2016 and peer since 1997) as chair, other MPs like Sir Edward Davey (leader)

Answer 64

Most political parties receive income in the form of membership subscriptions. Until the 1990s, the lion's share of Labour Party funding came from fees paid by trade unions and other affiliated organisations. For Conservatives, bankrolled by wealthy business interests. Decline of UK political parties as mass-member organisations in the 1980s and 1990s had an adverse impact on party finances. Neil Kinnock, John Smith and Tony Blair tried to reduce influence of trade unions within Labour which led to parties seeking donations from wealthy individuals like Lord Sainsbury for Labour and Stuart Wheeler and Sir Paul Getty for Conservatives even though he later defected to UKIP (treasurer). Especially fell for Labour as it was under Blair, New Labour, more centrist, less about collective action, more about personal responsibility, meritocracy, so trade union funding fell.

Answer 65

1) Labour- £9.5m 2) Conservative and Unionist party- £9.1m (usually they get the most but not this time) 3) LibDems- £2.9m 4) Green Party- £401k 5) SNP- £323.5K (£0 of donations accepted (excluding public funds) as Nicola Sturgeon is being investigated for mishandling finances, eg. RV bought for campaigns but found outside someone's house) 6) Reform UK- £25k (very low despite being running up to GE, but still won 3rd highest number of support)

Answer 66

Public funds- money from taxpayer used to support opposition's work 1) Labour- £2.1m 2) LibDems- £378k 3) SNP- £317.5K 4) Conservatives- £173.8k (they're not the opposition) 5) Green Party- £51.7k (more seats- more public funding so harder for third parties) 6) Reform UK- £0 (had no MPs, Lee Anderson hadn't defected had no opposition but they can accept it now)

Answer 67

Total number of donations- 186 Total value of donations- £9.5m

Answer 68

Individual- £3m Public fund- £2.1m Company- £2.5m Trade unions- £1.4m

Answer 69

Total number of donations- 273 Total value of donations- £9m

Answer 70

Company- £6.2m Individual- £2.4m

Answer 71

Total number of donations- 314 Total value of donations- £2.9m

Answer 72

Individual- £1.7m Company- £513k Public fund- £377.6k Trust (trust fund, draw interest from this to fund party)

Answer 73

Individual donations are the biggest (you have to be a British citizen). Second highest from company (used to be trade unions, swapped). Public fund is very high as they're the largest opposition.

Answer 74

Vast majority from companies (need to be registered in UK) because of their commitment to laissez-faire economics (less tax and less government regulation).

Answer 75

Bernie Ecclestone donated £1m to Labour in 1997 which may have prompted the subsequent delay in the introduction of ban on tobacco advertising in F1 motor racing which led to calls for regulation.

Answer 76

PPERA imposed an overall limit on party spending in GE campaigns (£30,000 per constituency), established additional spending limits for elections to devolved bodies and European Parliament, and required parties to declare all donations over £5,000 to the Electoral Commission, to make parties less reliant on individual wealthy backers.

Answer 77

PPEA was built upon regulations set by PPERA- imposing tighter regulations on spending by candidates in campaigns, allowing the Electoral Commission to investigate cases and impose fines, restricting donations from non-UK residents and lowering the threshold for the declaration of donations.

Answer 78

The 2007 Phillips Report, Strengthening Democracy: Fair and Sustainable Funding for Political Parties concluded that one way forward might be greater state funding for UK political parties, eg. through 'pence-per-voter/member' funding formula. Public funds have long been in place in the form of Policy Development Grants (PDGs) established under Section 12 of the PPERA: Short money and Cranborne money. Legislation made available to not only main opposition parties, but also as a share of an annual part of £2 million, to any party that has 2 or more sitting MPs taking oath of allegiance. Parties also receive subsidies in respect of their television broadcasts and help with their postage costs during election campaigns.

Answer 79

Funds paid to opposition parties to help them cover their administration costs which provide for proper scrutiny of government, have to win at least 2 seats or win 1 seat with over 150,000 votes nationally at a GE.

Answer 80

Labour received £6,563,156.53 including £852,481.98 to support work of leader of opposition.

Answer 81

Funds paid to opposition parties in the HoL to help cover their administrative costs and thereby provide for proper scrutiny of government.

Answer 82

New regulations have made party funding more transparent, but big problems- attempts by parties to circumvent the PPERA's regulation of donations by encouraging supporters to offer the party long-term/ low-interest 'loans'- this tactic and inducements supposedly offered to secure such lines of credit which led to 'loans for peerages' scandal during 1997-2010 (Labour), but police investigation ended without any prosecution, but issue of party funding is still controversial, as seen in efforts to address the status of donors not registered as UK taxpayers under the PPEA, many considered this to be aimed at individuals like long-term Tory party backer and party deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft, whose tax status provoked debate and controversy until March 2010, when he finally revealed that he didn't pay UK tax on his overseas earnings. In 2019, when Labour had relatively high membership levels, membership fees only actually amounted for around 29% of the party's consolidated annual income.

Answer 83

Membership- 16,930,000 Donations- 5,801,000 Government grants- 8,452,000

Answer 84

Membership- 16,471,000 Donations- 18,122,000 Government grants- 7,509,000

Answer 85

1) Yes: If parties aren't funded by taxpayers, they'll be funded by wealthy individuals and interest groups No: Taxpayers shouldn't be expected to bankroll parties that they oppose 2) Yes: State funding would allow politicians to focus on representing their constituents rather than courting potential donors No: Politicians could become isolated from real-world issues if they're denied access from interest groups 3) Yes: Parties like LibDems could compete on an equal financial footing because funding would be based entirely on membership or electoral performance No: Parties will always have unequal resources, even if state-funding is introduced- not least because there will be differences in membership levels and human and material resources

Answer 86

Covid-19 led to a return of financial sleaze. Suggestion that Tory government employed a VIP-lane, as a means of granting privileged access and awarding multi-million pound PPE contracts to individuals whose only qualification appeared to be that they'd previously made significant donations to the party's coffers, received widespread coverage in mainstream media. April 2021, revealed that another Tory donor had apparently given over £50k to help fund Johnson's Downing Street flat makeover and suggestion that party donors had also been asked to contribute towards paying the wages of the Johnson family nanny so the Electoral Commission investigated the possible criminality in failing to declare political donations. Labour showed a willingness to impose tougher restrictions on individual donations. Tories only likely to accept this (income form) if similar restrictions were placed on Labour's trade union backers.

Answer 87

Raised profile of Nick Clegg, David Cameron lost vital support, they became the main 'event' of the election campaign and concentrated media attention. 2015- Ed Miliband's 'Hell yes, I'm tough enough' made him appear less PM than Cameron. 2017- May refused to participate and sent home secretary Amber Rudd in her place (weakness, attacked her), Corbyn participated in the 7-way debate and performed better than expected so rise in credibility 2010- 'I agree with Nick' said Brown repeatedly as well as Cameron, hung parliament

Answer 88

2019- Tories paid for 2500 Facebook adverts compared to Labour's 250- form of targeted advertising which by-pass current regulations overseen by the Electoral Commission, Conservatives won 2015- opinion polls showed tight race with big 2 which caused media speculation about possibility of a Miliband government and increased scrutiny of Labour, also suggested hung parliament so speculations about coalitions (Miliband and SNP, Conservatives won, tactical voting (fear of Labour win), prevent Labour- SNP coalition, lesser of 2 evils for LibDems

Answer 89

1979- 'Crisis, what crisis?' (a headline in the Sun in relation to Winter of Discontent) suggested Callaghan was out of touch with ordinary voters and swung opinion against the formerly popular PM 1997- Sun backs Blair, switch support after Blair met with Rupert Murdoch, the Sun (and much of rest of press) which led to many voters switching their allegiance

Political Parties Flashcards

(115 cards)