Political parties

Question 1

what are the current polling trends for political parties in the uk

Answer 1

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%

Question 2

what are reforms policies on the economy , welfare, law and order and the election system

Answer 2

Welfare : Belief that reducing illegal migration will reduce pressure on the welfare system
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.
Economy : Lower tax, lift threshold for 40% income tax bracket to £70,000
Other:
Reform Voting system: Abolish FPTP and introduce Proportional Representation
Reform HoL by introducing a representative, elected second chamber.

Question 3

how are both labour and the conservatives similar in their views on the economy and welfare and education

Answer 3

-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)

Question 4

views on isreal palestine conflict

Answer 4

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