Evidence (Blurting) - Political Parties Flashcards
2.2 Labour’s views on; economy, welfare, foreign affairs, law and order
Economy: Set up great british energy- publicly owned clean power company (manifesto promise), abolish non-dom status,
Welfare:
Foreign affairs: improved and ambitious relationship with european partners (manifesto), commitment to nato (manifesto), rest
Law and Order: Create a new border security command to smash criminal boat gangs, crack down on antisocial behaviour with more neighbourhood policing and tough new penalties for offenders (manifesto), visible neighbourhood police (manifesto), Labour will fix this by introducing new Respect Orders – powers to ban persistent adult offenders from town centres, which will stamp out issues such as public drinking and drug use. Fly-tippers and vandals will also be forced to clean up the mess they have created (manifesto), end the practice of empty warnings regarding knife crime ( manifesto), ban more types of knives and have stringer laws around online sales of knives (manifesto), offer young people a pathway out of violence with youth mentors and pupil referral units, fast track rape cases (manifesto),
2.2 Lib Dem views on; economy, welfare, foreign affairs, law and order
Economy: A fair, prosperous and innovative economy that promotes opportunity and wellbeing., make taxes fair not burden and help with cost with living and create job which uphold fiscal responsibility
Welfare: Fair access to good public services and a strong social safety net.. A flourishing environment, with fair access to nature for all. Cut nhs time , to see GPs quicker , mental health contact , recruit and train more doctors and nurses .
Education - free school meals, extend opportunity for young people to study , Bring down energy bills and help end fuel poverty
Law and Order: . A truly fair democracy, where everyone’s rights are respected and individuals and communities are empowered.Restore porous community policy , invest in a criminal justice system , improved rehabilitation
Foreign policy: looking to rejoin EU single market. Support international institutions (NATO, UN, EU, WTO). Abandon renewal of Trident nuclear missile system. 2017 manifesto – commitment to taking 50,000 Syrian refugees by 2020. Support international aid. 2024 Advocated for an immediate Gaza ceasefire.
2.2 Examples for Lib Dem views
In 2013, the LibDems sided with the Conservatives in opposing Mansion Tax, which they had previously supported which made the coalition government seem strong and united, however this meant the Lib Dems lost support from their traditional voters as they abandoned their ideology.
The Liberal Democrats, particularly under the leadership of Nick Clegg, opposed the proposed Communications Data Bill, often referred to as the “Snooper’s Charter.” The bill aimed to expand the government’s surveillance powers, requiring internet service providers to retain and provide access to individuals’ communications data. The Liberal Democrats argued that the bill posed a threat to civil liberties and privacy rights, leading to their opposition during the coalition government. The Liberal Democrats have been vocal advocates or reforming stop and search powers to address concerns about racial profiling and excessive use of these powers.
During the lead-up to the 2016 EU referendum, the party campaigned for “Remain,” actively supporting the UK’s continued membership in the EU. They argued that EU membership brought economic advantages, enhanced cooperation on security issues, and provided opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration.
In the coalition government with the Conservatives (2010-2015), the Liberal Democrats championed the Pupil Premium policy. This policy aimed to provide additional funding to schools based on the number of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Throughout their time in coalition with the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats expressed concerns about the impact of welfare cuts on vulnerable individuals and families. While compromises were made as part of the coalition agreement, the Liberal Democrats sought to mitigate the effects of austerity measures on the most vulnerable in society
in the 2019 GE, the party’s pledge to cancel Brexit without a second referendum was seen by some as disregarding democratic principles - this approach ignored the 2016 ref result, which went against the party’s historical stance of
respecting public opinion through democratic means
2.2 Conservative views on; economy, welfare, foreign affairs, law and order
Economy: Cameron’s priority was to reduce the budget deficit inherited from the Labour government. Insisted on a programme of public spending cuts, dubbed ‘austerity’, to maintain confidence in financial markets and prevent Britain’s borrowing costs from rising. Fiscal responsibility, commitment to free trade, furlough scheme during Covid, increased corporation tax from 19-25%, increased national living wage.
Kemi Badenoch; pro free market economics, pledged to remove ‘red tape’ and said “Capitalism is not a dirty word, wealth is not a dirty word, profit is not a dirty word.”
Welfare: Cap on benefits. Benefits rates frozen from 2010 to 2019. Cuts to public services + introduction of private sector competition in public services. Promised to increase funding for NHS and education + bring down waiting lists.
Law and order: 2019 – promised to increase the number of police officers (despite a decade of cuts), increase stop and search powers, limitations on right to protest. Restriction to individual liberty during Covid, e.g. enforced mask wearing, gathering restrictions. New Bill of Rights curtailing some HRA freedoms + threats to leave ECHR. Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 (though Labour plan to repeal).
Foreign policy: commitment to armed forces, nuclear deterrent, membership of NATO. ‘Get Brexit Done’. Reduction in foreign aid budget to 0.5% GDP. Rwanda asylum scheme, ‘stop small boats’.
2.3 SNP
Welfare : SNP Government has now offered our 154,000 NHS Scotland Agenda for Change staff a substantial pay rise, rejecting the 1% proposal made by the Tories – and offering a proper pay rise of at least 4%, We will always keep Scotland’s NHS safe in public hands and improve mental health
Law order :
→ working together to get rid of terrorism, helping to tackle the assault of women , SNP calls for the end to VAT charges on our police and fire services, the UK Government finally relented.
→ UK Government refunds the £175 million in VAT owed to Scotland’s emergency services.
→ A 5.6% increase to Police Scotland’s day-to-day budget
Economy :
→ ‘The SNP believe that the tax burden should be proportionate to the ability to pay.’ - taken from the SNP website!
→ investment of up to £372 million in the scottish freeport and investment zones programmes
→ £1.15 billion-worth investment into growth deals
Foreign policy:
Rejoin the EU - significantly diverges from the views of other parties
Scottish independence
2.3 Green Party
Led by Carla Denyer (Bristol Central) and Adrien Ramsay (Waveney Valley)
Welfare : Replace Personal Independence Payments (PIP) cash payments with ‘vouchers’, introduce a Universal Basic Income. Build more better-insulated homes (150,000) to reduce emissions and heating prices. Reduce waiting lists for NHS. Better access to NHS dentists. Increase school funding by 8 billion pounds, 2 billion for a pay uplift for teachers.
Law and order : Legalisation of cannabis, promote community policing and de-prioritising stop-and-searches of young people. An important goal of theirs is reducing knife crime, particularly in Bristol, by providing better emergency health aids and fixing CCTV Blind Spots. scrap the police crime sentencing and courts act, the public order act and any other legislation that erodes the right to protest and free expression,
Economy : Wealth tax on top 1%, special tax on large banks, minimum wage of £15/hr regardless of age with the costs to small businesses offset by reducing their national insurance payments. Drive fossil fuels out of the economy. Phase-out nuclear power. Repeal anti-union legislation and replace it with a positive Charter of Workers’ Rights, move to 4 day working week, no single individual or company can own more than 20% if any media market, scrap university tuition fees, nationalise railways, water and energy big 5,
Social: Votes for 16 year olds. Ban on all blood sports including trail hunting
Other: votes for 16 year olds, PR, rent controls and no fault evictions ban
2.3 Reform UK
Welfare : Belief that reducing illegal migration will reduce pressure on the welfare system, two strike rule for job offers- all jobseekers and those fit to work must find employment within 4 months or accept a job after two offers otherwise benefits are withdrawn.
Law and order: Increase funding towards policing and increase funding for better police technology. Against illegal migration and support points-based systems for skilled migrants. scrap diversity, equality and inclusion roles and regulations to stop two tier policing, drug dealing and trafficking to get mandatory life imprisonment, more bobbies on the beat and less time with paperwork, automatic life imprisonment for those committing second violent or serious offences
Economy : Lower tax, lift threshold for 40% income tax bracket to £70,000, raise first tax bracket to £20,000, oppose net zero as it increases energy bills, simplify the tax system, scrap net zero to boost the economy, tax relief on school fees
Foreign affairs: Leaving the european convention on human rights (like Russia and Belarus), no more small boats, immigration tax on businesses who employ foreign workers, remove british armed forces from the horizon programme so they can be independent, leave WHO unless there is fundamental reform to its structure and funding, reject the influence of the world economic forum,
Other: ban transgender ideology in schools, scrap HS2, scrap bbc licence fee, cut bureaucracy, PR
Other:
Reform Voting system: Abolish FPTP and introduce Proportional Representation
Reform HoL by introducing a representative, elected second chamber.
On an LBC podcast, Sunak was talking to a conservative voter who has decided he wants to vote for reform in the upcoming election, Sunak responded with “A vote for Reform is a vote for Starmer”, and “There will be one of two PMs, me or Keir Starmer” (could be used when referring to evidence for a two-party system in the UK and the influence of minor parties)
2.3 Polling trend for parties May 2024
Labour Party: 44% (major)
Conservative Party: 24% (major)
Reform UK: 11%
Liberal Democrats: 10% (major in specification)
Green Party: 6%
Scottish National Party (SNP): 3%
Plaid Cymru: 1%
2.3 Voting intention survey by YouGov, 9-10th March 2025
Labour = 24%
Reform 23%
Conservative = 22%
LibDem = 15%
Green = 9%
SNP = 3%
Plaid Cymru = 1%
Other = 3%
2.3 Examples of divisions in parties
1983 Labour left-right divided…4 MPs had left and created the SDP in 1981 -> Tory majority.
1997 Major’s Tories divided over Europe -> Labour landslide
2017 May’s government divided over Brexit
2019 Johnson suspended moderate Tories and filled his Cabinet with hard pro-Brexit MPs for a unified front.
2020 Conservatives MPs opposed to the Huawei new 5G network plan due to the concern of Chinese government interference on the UK national security and the accusation of no disclosure of impact of COVID (from financial times), which forced Johnson to abandon the plan
2023-24 exit of numerous Labour MP’s due to disagreements over Palestine - Israel conflict like Naz Shah, Afzal Khan, Jess Philips etc.
2023-24 Tory division on Rwanda scheme (tension between Sunak and ex Home Secretary Suella Braverman) and shifting position in economic policy after the resignation ex-PM Liz Truss (45p tax cut to raising tax until late 2023)
Around one in five MPs say they are stepping down including more than 70 Tories, over 20 from Labour and nine from the SNP
2.3 Image of different PMs in the media
Neil Kinnock: negative media coverage due to the Left wing manifesto - The Sun “Will the last person to leave Britain please turn out the lights” showed the incompetence of Neil Kinnock to become the Prime Minister (valence)
Tony Blair: good media presence (‘The Sun Bagged Johnson’s record in office - poor valence led to changes in PM - Sunak’s weak valence also causes massive loss in 2024 local elections Blair’), tight control over his party’s messaging — New Labour, moderate, reform of Clause IV (commitment to nationalisation).
But his image was destroyed by contentious decisions i.e. Iraq war, increase in tuition fees.
Boris Johnson: clear party’s messaging “Get Brexit Done” on the 2019 Conservatives manifesto — announced Hard Brexit as the main goal of the Conservatives which brought the party
together. (after May’s infamous soft Brexit approach in 2017-19) Helped the Conservatives to gain 80 majority seats
Partygate damage
The D-Day incident with PM Sunak leaving D-Day early to attend an Channel 4 Interview that was airing 9 days later caused massive controversy in the beginning of the Conservative campaign for the 2024 General Election.
2.3 policy similarities
Economy
Labour and Conservatives do not want to have further tax raise: Labour’s first duty is economic stability; Conservatives pledged to deliver tax cuts if they win the general election (Jeremy Hunt)
Welfare and education:
Welfare
Labour aligns with Conservatives to keep the Universal Credit (but seek to reform it)
Cutting NHS waiting lists: Labour pledged to provide 40K appointments in NHS each week by using the money collected from the “non-dom loopholes” and tax avoidance; Tories: will cut waiting lists (no clear plan yet)
Education
Labour: no plan to abolish tuition fees as the country cannot afford it (2023)
Foreign Policy:
Gaza:
Both Labour and the Conservatives have adamantly backed Israel (bipartisan)
Labour response has been broadly unified; contrast deep divisions over Israel-Palestine (and foreign policy in general) under Jeremy Corbyn (labelled as antisemitic)
Starmer: “Israel has the right to self defence”; arguably mirroring government due to upcoming election = consensus
In October 2023, Starmer defended the Israeli “right to withhold water” from Palestines in an interview on LBC with Nick Ferrari (aware it is a breach due experience as human rights; values election victory smore)
Shadow Cabinet Member David Lammy emphasised that Labour supported Israel and its “right to defend itself”; response must be proportionate and within the bounds of international law
In November 2023, 56 Labour MPs rebelled in favour of a ceasefire; resulted in 10 front bench resignations (e.g. Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding Jess Phillips)
Over 70 councillors across the country that have resigned over disapproval on the Labour stance on Gaza; 9 in Oxford (no longer in Labour control)
Regional Mayors Sadiq Khan (London) and Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester) called for an immediate ceasefire; did not receive sacking due to their importance to the party in these areas
Both parties support Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia
EU:
Both Sunak and Starmer turned down a free movement deal around the EU for 18-30 year olds
The parties can be aligning together to show the US support for their approach to foreign policy. Countries against US foreign policy are usually considered as an enemy to America. (comparable to Blair supporting Bush’s “war on terror” despite protests against the Iraq War); too much at stake for the British economy if they deviate from the US in foreign policy.
2.3 influence of minor parties
European Parliament elections
In 2019, the Brexit Party won the seat for the UK European Parliament election
In 2019 European Parliament elections Green party won 12% of the vote electing 7 MEPs
Policy absorption
Conservative manifesto 2019 promises to reach net zero by 2050 , may have been due to rising popularity of the Green party.
Local elections and by-elections
2024 local elections: Lib Dem (+104 = 522), Green (+74 = 181), Independent (+ 93 = 228)
By-election in Rochdale: George Galloway from Workers Party of Britain won the by-election
2.4 example and analysis of single party system
Example: North Korea. A single party holds all political power, suppressing opposition and dissent.
Analysis: While such systems can ensure political stability, they often undermine political freedom, creating autocracies.
2.4 example and analysis of two party system
Example: UK (Conservatives vs. Labour) and USA (Democrats vs. Republicans).
Analysis: Two-party systems, often found under First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) electoral systems, tend to limit voter choice and lead to policy convergence, where major parties present similar platforms to appeal to the center.
Evaluation: A drawback is the “wasted vote” phenomenon in FPTP, where votes for smaller parties (e.g., Liberal Democrats) often do not translate into seats, limiting democratic representation.
2.4 example and analysis of multi-party system
Example: Germany (CDU, SPD, Green Party, FDP) operates under Proportional Representation (PR).
Analysis: PR systems lead to broader representation but can result in unstable coalition governments, as evidenced by Germany’s 2017 Grand Coalition, where CDU/CSU and SPD struggled to find common ground on key issues.
Evaluation: Although multi-party systems promote inclusivity, coalition politics often result in compromises that dilute policy effectiveness, particularly in times of crisis.
2.4 Left wing vs right wing ideology
Left-wing: Focus on social equality, state intervention in the economy, and progressive values. Example: The Labour Party in the UK, advocating for a welfare state and nationalization of key industries.
Right-wing: Support for free-market capitalism, limited government intervention, and traditional values. Example: The Conservative Party in the UK, advocating for lower taxes ac, privatization, and deregulation.
2.4 centrist parties
Example: The Liberal Democrats (UK), which advocate for a balance of social justice with free-market policies, also focusing on civil liberties and electoral reform.
Analysis: Centrist parties often appeal to voters disillusioned with extreme ideologies, though they may struggle to maintain a distinct identity as they adapt to shifting political trends.
Case Study (UK): The rise of the SNP (Scottish National Party), which emerged as a major political force in Scotland, is an example of how regional parties can challenge traditional ideologies and realign national politics. The 2015 UK general election saw the SNP win 56 out of 59 Scottish seats, demonstrating the shift toward regionalism and nationalism.
2.4 issues of influence
Corruption and Elitism: Large donations from wealthy donors can skew political agendas toward the interests of the elite, undermining democracy. Example:
Ecclestone Affair 1997
Concerns over “cash for access” scandals (Peter Cruddas) involving political donations in the UK.
2022: Peter Murrel (charged with embezzlement of party funds)
Moral & legal corruption:
2006/2007: Cash for Honours scandal
Phillips Report 2007
2023: Johnson Honours List -> Peter Cruddas
2024: Frank Hester donation scandal
Ed Davey: “we must also cap donations to political parties. So that even the wealthiest racists cannot buy power and influence over the Conservative party”
2025? : Elon Musk offering to donate £100 million to Reform UK…
Loopholes: Transparency International - explained how loopholes in the law are allowing “dark money” to infiltrate UK politics
‘almost £1 in every £10 donated to parties and politicians comes from unknown or dubious sources’
Regulation: In response to public concern, the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (2000) was introduced in the UK to regulate donations and ensure transparency.
