Parties in context- Paper 1 Flashcards
Functions of parties
-making policies
-representing sections of society eg. labour= working class
-inform people about political issues
How are parties funded?
-collecting membership fees
-fundraising evens
-donations
Why is party funding controversial?
-favours 2 largest parties
-eg Tories £6mill= 2019 Green £100,000= 2019
-large, hidden donations= corruption
3 main parties
Conservative Party
Kemi Badenoch
- Policies: Scrap net zero by 2050, oppose council tax rises
Labour Party
Keir Starmer
- Policies: Raise minimum wage, invest in NHS
Liberal Democrats
Ed Davey
Policies: Free personal care, hire 8,000 more GPs
Alternative funding structure
-limit size of donations
-impose restrictions on spending
-state funding
parties SHOULD receive state funding
-would end corrupt donations
-reduce advantage of major parties
-even playing field, reducing the influence f wealthy donors
parties SHOULDNT receive state funding
-How to distribute funding?
-taxpayers funding parties they don’t agree with
-excessive state regulation of parties
left wing views on the economy, income and social issues
ECONOMY:
-state regulation
-nationalisation
INCOME:
-redistribution of income
SOCIAL ISSUES:
-welfare
centrist views on the economy, income and social issues
ECONOMY:
-free market with some gov control
INCOME:
-mild redistribution
SOCIAL ISSUES:
-welfare for the most needy
right wing views on the economy, income and social issues
ECONOMY:
-no state intervention
INCOME:
-low tax
SOCIAL ISSUES:
-limited welfare
-opposed to multiculturalism
Party systems
-one party system
-dominant party system
-two party system
-two and a half party system
-multi party system
why do small parties fail?
-lack of funds
-electoral system
-lack of media exposure
-wasted votes
Factors that affect party success
LEADERSHIP:
-experience, media image, decisiveness
Enhanced= Johnson
Damaged: Ed Miliband (awkward)
UNITY:
-1980s, Torys united, labour split, resulting in two huge Tory victories
MEDIA:
-newspapers line up with election results
-2017 election, papers backed Tories
-2010 clegg bounce due to TV debates
how well do parties enhance democracy?
- provide opportunity for participation
- help make politics understandable
x illegitimate- FPTP
X elitist
What are the core principles of Old Labour?
- Socialism, equality, and collectivism.
- Advocated for nationalisation, welfare state, and strong trade unions
What were key policies of Old Labour?
- Nationalisation of industries.
- Welfare reforms: NHS, social security.
- Progressive taxation to reduce inequality.
Who was a key figure in Old Labour, and what was their impact?
Clement Attlee: Created NHS, nationalised industries.
What is New Labour and how did it differ from Old Labour?
- Led by Tony Blair, focused on the centre-ground.
- Embraced Third Way politics: mix of free-market economics with social justice.
What were the key features of New Labour’s policies?
- Economy: Accepted privatisation, public-private partnerships.
- Welfare: Introduced welfare-to-work and tax credits.
- Education: Investment + tuition fees.
What were the successes of New Labour?
- Won 3 elections (1997–2005).
- Achieved constitutional reform (devolution, Human Rights Act).
- Reduced child poverty: fell by 900,000
What were the criticisms of New Labour?
- Iraq War (2003) damaged credibility.
- Abandoned traditional socialist values.
- Rising inequality and the 2008 financial crisis tarnished its legacy.
How do Old Labour and New Labour differ ideologically?
State vs Market:
Old Labour favoured nationalisation, New Labour embraced privatisation
Welfare:
Old Labour promoted a universal welfare state, while New Labour emphasised welfare-to-work and individual responsibility.
Class & Equality: Old Labour focused on class struggle and wealth redistribution, whereas New Labour prioritised equality of opportunity.
