Creation of Labour

Question 1

How was the Labour party formed?

Answer 1

• Est. 1900
• Grew out of trade union movement (94% of membership) + socialist parties
• Formed to represent working class
• Grew after WW1 when Liberals broke down becoming the main opposition

Question 2

What was the 80s fall of Labour?

Answer 2

• Fractions on the Right (Callaghan) and that of the Left (Foot and Benn) over wealth distribution
• Following 1979 election defeat and winter of discontent LAB returned to leftist roots with Foot as leader with a heavy left wing manifesto that saw election defeat in 1983
• This left wing radicalism also saw the formation of the Lib Dems

Question 3

Blair’ s New Labour

Answer 3

A re-branding or ‘modernisation’ of Labour under the leadership of Tony Blair that saw the party take a more centrist stance on policies to try and collect the support of the middle classes which Labour had abandoned.

Question 4

Brown’s leadership

Answer 4

More left than Blair, Brown wanted to protect Labour’s reputation for economic competence though this was lost during a recession that was poorly dealt with and Brown failed to command support or bring through much social policy when he was expected to do so.

Question 5

Ed Miliband Leadership

Answer 5

Left wing leader who narrowly beat his brother to leadership. Had worked under Brown’s faction and wanted to distance himself from New Labour. Crushing defeat in election

Question 6

Corbyn

Answer 6

• Committed socialist
• Won the election by a heavy 59%
• Had always been a rebellious backbencher so he would lack authority when made leader
• His policies seemingly looks to be that of ‘old labour’ attitudes with focus on economic economy, heavy welfare, environmentalist, national education

Question 7

What were the traditional core values?

Answer 7

• Socialism
• Dogmatic
• Focused on working class
• Nationalisation
• Social Justice
• Universal Welfare

Question 8

What were New Labour values?

Answer 8

• Pragmatism
• Bigger appeal
• Market economy
• Public-private ownership
• Advocates social illusion
• Supports targeted warfare

Question 9

Blue labour

Answer 9

2010 - Advocacy group associated with the British Labour Party that promotes conservative ideas on social and international issues, including immigration, crime, and the European Union, rejecting neoliberal economics in favour of guild socialism and corporatism.