02 Political Partes Flashcards
Arguments to suggest that state funding for parties is desirable?
- end opportunity for corrupt use of donation
- ends possibilities of hidden forms of influence
- improves democracy
Arguments to suggest that state funding is not desirable?
- effective regulation exists
- would entrench the two party system
- lost faith in politicians and parties
Evidence to suggest that state funding of parties would reduce opportunity of the corrupt use of donation
In the 2019 General Election, Peter Cruddas donated £65 to the Tory party in return of a peerage to the House of Lords
Evidence to suggest that state fundings would reduce the need for hidden forms of influence
Conservative Black and White Dinner… 15,000 a ticket
Evidence to suggest that state funding would entrench the two party system
Short money (type of state funding) gave UKIP £500,000 after winning 1 seat in 2015. -problems with FPTP
Also, party membership size. Tories have 180k members, Greens 50k
Evidence to suggest that effective measures are in place regarding party funding
The Elections and Referendums Act (2000)
- parties had to disclose all donations of more than £5k
- illegal for donations from oversees
Evidence to suggest that state funding would improve democracy
Would increase participation in a pluralist democracy if all parties had resources to campaign effectively
In 2019
-Labour and Conservatives received £11.1 million combined
-SNP and Plaid Cymru received £400 k
Evidence to suggest the electorate has lost faith in politicians
Expenses scandal
Arguments to suggest that the Conservative Party is true to its traditional values
- economic policy
- law and order
- role of the state
Evidence to suggest that the current Conservative party is true to its traditional values in economic policy?
Traditional values are a mixed economy—
- 2021, Govt announced it was running railway through the government, Great British Railway
- Rise in National Insurance to fund health and social care
Evidence to suggest that the Conservative party is not true to its traditional values regarding economic policy
Brexit
The departure from the EU allowed the sovereignty of parliament to preside meaning “red tape” over businesses was removed. Allowed the deregulation of business
NEW RIGHT AND FACTIONS
Boris Johnson hailed the ‘free market’ in the role out of the vaccine
Evidence to suggest that the Conservative party is true to its traditional values regarding law and order
Traditional values is a very strong law and order and police force, suspicion of things that undermine such
In 2017, May promised the replacement of the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights, gives more control over grounds of deportation.
2019 manifesto = 20,000 more police officers
Evidence to suggest that the Conservative party is not true to its traditional values regarding law and order
Influence of New Right
David Cameron’s government banned books from being imported to prisoners. Shows punishment rather than rehabilitation. Gets rid of this individualisation of people, rid of their competitive nature
Arguments to suggest that the Conservative party is true to its traditional values in terms of role of the state?
Traditional values, pragmatic, paternal state
2020 Pandemic, furlough. State spent 110bn on protecting jobs. Shows state is caring for its citizens
David Cameron legalising same sex marriage in 2013. Shows a pragmatic state that adjusts its laws with the changing nature of society
Evidence to suggest that the Conservative party is not true to its traditional values in terms of role of the state?
Cameron and Osbornes austerity
Major cuts in government expenditure therefore reducing the size of the state. Very neoliberal.
Welfare Reform Bill 2011 seeked to reduce the amount of benefit available to people, seek to rid the dependency culture
