Political parties Flashcards
Origins of the conservative party
Dates back to 1834
Traditionally representing the wealthy.
Once universal suffrage was introduced in 1928, the party reinvented itself to appeal to a broader range of supporters.
Disraeli developed one nation conservatism to appeal to working class voters.
Dominated 20th century with 67 years in office
Ideas of the conservative party
Conservative Party dominated before 1979
Thatcherism was much more radical neoliberal version of conservatism. It was apart of the New Right movement that included President Ronald Reagan
‘Compassionate conservatism’ was adopted by David Cameron combining Thatcherite free market policies, with more liberal social policies (e.g gay marriage) and concerned welfare for both environment and society
Austerity was the key feature of Camerons governments. The 2008 financial crash left Britain in a massive deficit and a growing national debt: The conservative responded by cutting spending
There have been many battles between the Eurosceptic and the Europhiles, even after the 2016 Brexit vote.
Development of the Conservative Party
Conservatives accepted the post war consensus before Thatcher became leader,
Thatcher was impatient with her party’s tolerance with high taxation, powerful and disruptive unions and economic stagnation
Thatcher turned the UK right in 1979.
Thatcher developed a confident foreign policy protecting one of Britains overseas territories in The Falklands war playing alongside Ronald Reagan in Cold War diplomacy and winning financial rebate fro European Committees
John Major continued Thatcherite policies. The struggles within the party over Europe intensified during his leadership.
Passed through a period of political wilderness during New Labour era.
Cameron aimed to detoxify conservatives ‘nasty party’ image when he came leader in 2005.
Conservatives won most seats in 2010 and formed a coalition government with the liberal democrats. In 2015 he won a small majority.
Camerons decision for an EU referendum was a big mistake. He resigned as prime minister after failing to convince the public to remain in the EU.
Theresa May signalled that she wanted rot follow one nation policies however her 2017 manifesto supported grammar schools, fox hunting and removal of universal free school lunches for 4-7 year olds suggested a move away from Cameron’s Conservatism.
May failed to win a big majority after calling a snap election left her leading a minority government, dependent on the DUP for votes and unable to develop her own version of conservatism.
Conservatives divided over the Brexit Process, forcing May to balance both remainder’s and leavers in her government.
Origins of the Labour
Labour Representation committee formed in 1900
Included Trade unions and left wing political groups.
Aim to represent working class in parliament
Labour rejected revolutionary socialism focusing instead on social democracy.
The party’s 1918 constitution committed Labour to socialism
Formed its first government in 1929 but did not win a majority until 1945.
The 1945 government created the NHS and welfare state and nationalised many industries. These policies formed the base of post war consensus.
Ideas of Labour
Equality of people, common ownership of the means of productions and redistribution of wealth
Social democracy is the democratic version of socialism, socialists within a democratic system and introduce changes.
Clause IV of their constitution devoted them to the common ownership of the means of production (nationalisation)
Third way compromise created by new labour balancing centre right economic policy and centre left social policy.
Corbynism described as return of old labour. Advocate denationalisation of railways and utilities reversing austerity and increasing taxes on business to pay for the welfare state.
Labour moved to the left after being beat by
Development of Labour Party
Labour moved to the left after being beat by Thatcher in 1979. It struggled electorally.
In 1994 Blair became leader. Recognised success of Thatcherism and aimed to triangulate Labour’s policies. With Gordon Brown launched New Labour.
Blair rewrote Clause IV’s link to socialist economics to appeal to the middle class.
Won Labour landslide victory. Implemented devolution. removal of hereditary peers from House of Lords, passing human rights act 1998 and Freedom of information act 2000, introduction to national minimum wage and increased public spending.
Blair’s reputation never recovered after his decision to comment Britain to the war in Iraq.
When Blair stood down in 2007 he was overtaken by Gordon Brown, who was weakened by the 2008 financial crisis.
Ed Miliband moved the party to the left in 2015 and was vilified by right wing newspapers. Miliband failed to defeat the electorate.
Blairites wanted to return to more centrist policies however elected Corbyn as leader in 2015
Dramatic break with New labour he was most rebellious of backbenchers in Blairs government and led the stop war coalition against war in Iraq. Also opposed to Nuclear weapons. Despite the criticisms, labour came second in the 2017 election and their electorate increased,
Policies for Conservatives manifesto 2024
Spring Budget that employee national insurance will be cut by 2%.
Chancellor to abolish current tax regime applicable to ‘non-dot’ individuals. use to undercut Labour, who already pledged for non Dom rules.
Intending to introduce further tax cuts to Inheritance Tax and Stamp duty land Tax
Adopting full expensing which allowed buisnesses to claim a 100% deduction for capital expenditure.
Conservative manifesto in 2019
Increase nurses by 50000, introduce maintenance grabs of 5000-8000.
Leave EU in January
No income tax VAT or National insurance rises
Pension increase by 2.5%
Reach net 0 by 2050: world leading goal of cutting carbon emissions by virtually 0.
Spend 6.3bn on 2.2 million disadvantaged homes
Create 25000 extra childcare places
Student finance: Freezer of tuition at £9250
Labours 2024 manifesto
Bring economic stability to families by empowering the Office of Budget responsibility. Response to Lizz Truss’’ mini budget.
Halve consultancy spending, buy bringing in spending controls
Appoint Covid Corruption commissioner with powers to chase down money taken away from tax payers and take them to court.
Maintain commitment to NATO
Conduct a strategic defence and security review on armed forces
Deploy more cross boarders police to avoid terror style tactics.
1000 strong returns unit to ensure failed asylum seekers with no rights to be here
Clear asylum backblog to return those to safe countries
