Evaluate the view that the Conservative Party remains committed to its traditional values and beliefs

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Preserve Order in Society
• Equality
• Pragmatism

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

The UK is currently facing many problems: this has meant that the Conservatives have had to disregard traditional values in order to navigate through these times

Question 3

Preservation - Disagree - Point

Answer 3

One of the Conservative Party’s main founding principles was to preserve the order of society. This meant they wanted the wealthy to stay wealthy - this can be seen by the economic policies of Liz Truss and Boris Johnson

Question 4

Preservation - Disagree - Examples

Answer 4

• Under Boris Johnson, businesses and the wealthy are said to have pocketed £40 bn in tax cuts
• Liz Truss wanted to tax cuts for the wealthy. She planned to scrap the 40p rate of income tax on high earners and cut corporation tax

Question 5

Preservation - Agree - Point

Answer 5

After becoming Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak has been much less inclined to preserve the order of society. He has introduced tax increases on both business and indivduals

Question 6

Preservation - Agree - Examples

Answer 6

• In April 2023, corporation tax is set to rise from 19% to 25%
• The threshold for the third tear income tax has decreased from £150,000 per year to £125,000

Question 7

Equality - Disagree - Point

Answer 7

The Conservatives, unlike Labour, did not wish to create a just and equal society. The Conservatives as a result, are less likely to support large welfare provisions

Question 8

Equality - Disagree - Examples

Answer 8

• The Conservative Government cut universal credit in October 2021 by £20 a week
• Liz Truss in her mini budget planned to cut benefits by dropping the pledge for them to rise in line with inflation

Question 9

Equality - Agree - Point

Answer 9

Under Sunak, there have been more attempt to increase welfare provisions as to reduce inequality Britain is currently facing

Question 10

Equality - Agree - Examples

Answer 10

• Liz Truss was forced to make a U-turn on her plan to cut benefits
• Rishi Sunak introduced a ‘Cost of Living Payment’ as well as benefits in order to help low income people who are struggling to pay their bills

Question 11

Pragmatism - Disagree - Point

Answer 11

One of the main objectives of the Conservative party is to conserve society - this means no radical changes or clear ideological direction

Question 12

Pragmatism - Disagree - Examples

Answer 12

• Boris Johnson was made to be particularly pragamatic during the Covid-19 pandemic when he was forced to put the country into lockown
• Johnson took a pragmatic view of the economy - he introduced furlough in order to help companies who were not getting any business as a result of lockdown

Question 13

Pragmatism - Agree - Point

Answer 13

The pandemic was unpredictable and so the Conservatives were forced to be pragmatic, however, it can be said recently they have adopted more radical changes and forward planning

Question 14

Pragmatism - Agree - Examples

Answer 14

• Brexit was a major upheaval of British politics, and this was a policy that many Conservatives campaigned for and oversaw
• The aformentioned Truss mini budget was a prime example of forward planning - it promtoed a plan for what the economy could develop into, rather than dealing with current problems