Conservatives Flashcards
Origins
17th Century as royalists then becoming Tories
Resisted new political structures
Disrali and Peel - prevent the party from falling too far in the inequality and to preserve order (pragmatic)
Traditional conservatism
Emerged in the late 18th century in response to the newly emerging liberal ideas eg FR
Anti-socialist
7 principles
Human nature - pessimistic
order - suspicious of new ideas that could disrupt order
Tradition and preservation - if it ain’t broke don’t fix it + stood the test of time
Organic society - there is some responsibility towards others
Pragmatism - flexible approach to politics eg change to conserve
Property - property helps maintain order
opposition to ideology
The new right - 2 stands
Emerged in the 1970s influenced Thatcher
neo-liberalism : free markets, excessive benefits creates a dependancy culture, high taxes are a disincentive and trade unions interfere
Neo-conservatism : strong state, socially conservative ideas, law and order is crucial and nationalistic
Conservative factions
Corner stone : Faith, Flag and Family includes Rees-Mogg
Conservative way forward : Neo-liberal movement includes Liam Fox
Tory reform group : left leaning and promotes social cohesion includes Kenneth Clarke
Pre-1979 policies
Economic - Post war consensus and aimed to seek high employment
Welfare - Introduced prescription charges to the NHS but wanted to preserve it
Law and order - Strong national security, Equal pay act 1970 and 1967 Sexual offences act
FP - alliances with the US
Thatcher
Economy - Introduced the poll tax, reduced top tax bracket and the trade unions act 1973
welfare - Reduced welfare programmes and the creation of the right to buy scheme
Law and order - Section 28 (Neo-conservatism approach) and 1982 the establishment of the Trident programme
FP - Pro EU and conflict in the Falklands
Cameron
Economy - eliminate budget deficits following 2008 crash and balance the books
Welfare - Open 500 more free schools and the Ian Duncan smith reforms of the welfare state (welfare reform Act 2012 to cap families benefits from the state)
Law and Order - Extend deport first appeal later, Legalisation of same sex marriage and 2011 more policing powers
FP - EU referendum and air strikes in tu middle east
May
Economy - Pledged to not increase VAT and cut corporation tax to 17%
Welfare - End ban on grammar schools and scarp FSM for infants
Law and order - £1bn to modernise the prison estate and 2017 snoopers charter (giving the state authority to collect info)
FP- Cut immigration to less than 100,000 a year, retain Trident and achieve Brexit
Johnson
Economy - Invest £100 billion in infrastructure over the next 5 years, cut tax for higher tiers and not increase the rates of income tax
Welfare - Build 40 New hospitals over the next ten years
Law and order - points based immigration, 10,000 more prison places, 20,000 more police officers and the coronavirus act (suspension of liberties)
FP - Leave the EU
