Established political parties (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS) Flashcards
who were the ancestors of the lib dems
the whigs
who were the supporters of the liberal democrats
middle-/working-class supporters
characteristics of a classical liberal
-were committed above all to the freedom of the individual
-wanted the state to play a minimal role in society.
what did the lib dems support in the 19th Century
-the extension of civil LIBERTIES to people who did not belong to the established Anglican Church
-the widening of EDUCATIONAL opportunity
-the widening of the FRANCHISE
-for free TRADE
who’s their most notable leader
W.E. Gladstone (PM 1868–74, 1880–85, 1886 and 1892–94)
what did the ‘New Liberals’ 1900-10 (Edwardian) introduce
old age pensions and National Insurance
why was ‘old age pensions and National Insurance’ introduced
stop people from voting new left wing (Labour)
what is modern liberalism
-people cannot be free due to inequalities from the free market
who were the two most relevant leaders pre-WW2
-H.H Asquith (1908-16)
-Davis Llyod George (1916-22)
what did the post 1945 consensus look like for the Lib Dems
representation fell top single figures
why do Lib Dems not win
-rivals have more supporters in same constituencies
-therefore, don’t win FPTP
what two parties merged to make the liberal democrats
Liberal party + SDP = Liberal Democrats (1988)
what was the parliamentary total in 1997 GE
46
what is tactical voting
is the practice of not voting for your preferred candidate, but using your vote to prevent another candidate from winning.
how many seats did it have in 2005
62
why did they not win 2005 GE
-not working majority (Britain don’t have proportional representation)
what shows LD are buddy buddies with European Union
-constitutional reform
-internationalism
-civil liberties
what Lib Dems like and dislike
DISLIKE
-the Iraq War, identity cards
-student tuition fees
LIKE
-in favour of a 50 per cent income tax rate on those earning more than £100,000.
what was the difference between ‘ORANGE BOOK’ and ‘LIB DEMS’
ORANGE BOOK-
-supported free market
-freedom of the individual.
LIB DEMS-
-social liberals took a more collectivist approach.
who was one of the authors of ‘Orange Book’
Nick Clegg
when did Nick Clegg become leader
2007
when was the first ever coalition government
May 2010 (since 1945)
how many seats does the liberal democrats have now (2023)
15
what was rejected in May 2010
The Alternate Vote (rank candidates in preference order)
why was Lib Dem confidence diminishing
-believed alternate voting was the most malleable thing to do
-believed that the power was limited in coalition government
who was the next leader after Clegg (2015)
Tim Farron
what was Lib Dems slogan
keep Britain ‘open, tolerant and united’
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS : Economic Policy
-eliminating BUDGET deficit
-raising basic INCOME-tax
-fortifying COALITION with conservatives (fairer to the poor though)
-use renewable ENERGY(like more offshore wind farms)
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS : Welfare Policy
-control spending on BENEFITS
-UPRATING pensions
-extending free CHILDCARE
-INCREASE NHS funding
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS : Law and Order
-opposed ‘snoopers’ charter’
-opposed Communications Data Bill (monitoring internet use)
-rehabilitation of prisoners
-community service
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS : Foreign Policy
-British membership in EU
