Political Parties Flashcards

Question

What are some of Labours foreign policies?

Answer 1

- The manifesto highlights the need to maintain allies and make new partnerships, as well as emphasising their commitment to NATO and global security. - The Labour Party also believes that Britain should stay firmly outside of the EU and ‘make Brexit work’ . - The Labour government also took swift action after assuming office to show that there would be no change in the level of UK support for Ukraine by inviting Zelensky to speak to the Cabinet.

Answer 2

- Boost investments: Established National Wealth Fund. - Increased taxation: They have raised tax on many different sectors - Increase in minimum wage: Labour increased the minimum wage for 18-20 year olds - Increased funding for the NHS: Try to reduce waiting time - Increased housing: Plan to build 1.5 million homes

Answer 3

A collection of ideas including tolerance, constitutionalism, social justice, equality of opportunity and individual freedoms. To some extent all of the main parties hold liberal views. Liberalism is central to British politics, and its basic principles are established within the political system.

Answer 4

- Importance of individual freedoms and rights - Equal rights for individuals & groups - Limited governmental power - Constitutionalism: The belief that there needs to be strict legal rules to determine how a government operates.

Answer 5

- An open economy, with free competition in world markets - Mixed economy with some state control. - Importance of the welfare state - Acceptance that private business ownership is the best way to create wealth

Answer 6

Votes: 3.47mil -> 4.1 mil Vote share: 12.3% -> 14.3% Seats: 5

Answer 7

- Reform within touching distance of Labour as poll suggests 'new era' for British politics. - Reform UK has grown in support to within one percentage point of Labour according to a new poll for Sky News by YouGov which suggests Britain has entered a new era of three-way party politics.

Answer 8

- Suggests that society is like a living thing and should be left to develop naturally, without too much intervention. - All parts of society are tied together by a common sense of being members of a society.

Answer 9

- Conservatives tend to adopt quite a pessimistic view of human nature. - They stress the competitive nature of people. - Humankind can easily fall into disorder, and so we crave order and security. Without order, progress cannot be achieved.

Answer 10

- Strong policies on law and order. - Taking a hard line against organised protest. - General belief in strong government. - Prioritise security over freedoms. - Oppose newer ideas such as socialism.

Answer 11

- Parties and governments should not seek to impose their own beliefs on society too much. - Policies should be aimed at maintaining a strong, united society. - Those who are well-off do have a responsibility to care for poorer people. - Society should develop naturally, so politicians should not impose much change on it.

Answer 12

- The belief in an organic society leads to a fear of too much social and cultural diversity that might threaten social unity.

Answer 13

- Opposition to multiculturalism. - Resistance to high levels of immigration. - Intolerance towards unconventional lifestyles.

Answer 14

- Conservatives believe that traditions are important in maintaining unity. - They provide a way for society to unite around common institutions and values. - Support traditional institutions such as marriage, Church, and monarchy.

Answer 15

- Opposition to reforms that threaten traditional institutions (e.g. electoral reform, reform of the House of Lords, a changed role for the monarchy, a codified constitution) - Strong support for traditional values, e.g. the traditional family.

Answer 16

- Conservatives see the ownership of property and wealth as important, both as an expression of a family’s aspirations and to create a sense of responsibility to help the less fortunate.

Answer 17

- Taxes on property and wealth should be minimised as much as possible. - The rights of property owners should be protected. - The wealthy should support the underprivileged through voluntary contribution rather than taxation.

Answer 18

- This is originally associated with Benjamin Disraeli. It revolves around the idea that the rich have an obligation to help the poor. - It came about because of the growing divide between rich and poor in the mid-1800s.

Answer 19

The ‘natural leaders’ of society act to help the disadvantaged in return for an acceptance of their right to rule. - Patriotic foreign policy designed to strengthen national unity. - Oppose excessive inequality.

Answer 20

- They lack the funding of the larger parties. - The electoral system may be unfair to smaller parties. - They lack media exposure. - They do not have enough organisation in communities. - Voters see a vote for them as a wasted vote.

Answer 21

- They can find wealthy support, like Reform have. - Devolved areas’ electoral systems are more proportional. - A strong leader may gain support, as Nicola Sturgeon (SNP) did. - They can still gain widespread support, as Reform did. - In the proportional systems used in devolved areas, fewer votes are wasted.

Answer 22

- In the 1800s the capitalist middle class began to grow in size and influence due to the industrial revolution. - The Tories were beginning to be described as ‘conservatives’ because they wanted to ‘conserve’ the dominance of the upper class. - Formed by Sir Robert Peel and Benjamin Disraeli - The party’s main objectives were to prevent the country falling too far into inequality, to preserve the unity of the kingdom and to preserve order in society.

Answer 23

- Thatcher and her followers were ‘neo-liberals’. This was an economic philosophy. - They believed that, wherever possible, all markets should be free from interference by the government or trade unions as they saw this interference to be counter-productive. All economic problems could be solved by letting the market correct itself.

Answer 24

- Most nationalised (publicly owned) industries were sold into private ownership. This included gas, electricity, water, steel, coal, telecommunications, railways, etc. - Government did not intervene when there were economic slumps in the early 1980s and 1990s.

Answer 25

- The New Right believed that powerful trade unions were a barrier to economic progress. - They forced wages up too high and prevented businesses from enjoying a flexible labour market.

Answer 26

- The legal powers of trade unions were severely reduced, and their powers of ‘industrial action’ (e.g. strikes) was reduced. - Union leadership was forced to be democratically elected, to make leadership more accountable

Answer 27

- Introducing new restrictions on trade unions and their members as to how and when they could take industrial action, fund political parties, and conduct their duties. - Reduced the powers of unions

Answer 28

New Right conservatives saw direct taxes on individuals and private companies as a disincentive to work and enterprise (setting up a business).

Answer 29

- Income tax rates were reduced, especially for those on higher earnings. This money was made up by higher indirect taxes such as VAT (money added onto goods). - Taxes on private company profits were reduced

Answer 30

- Thatcherite conservatives saw excessively high levels of welfare benefits as a disincentive to work, enterprise (setting up a business) and self-reliance. They believed that this created a ‘dependency culture’ where people became used to relying on state support.

Answer 31

- Many welfare benefits were reduced or eliminated. - Benefits were targeted to those in most need, and who were unable to be self-reliant through no fault of their own

Answer 32

The New Right adopted neo-conservative social ideals. - This included a strong position on law and order and attempts to maintain traditional, Christian morality. Excessive cultural diversity was discouraged.

Answer 33

- Strong policing policies, including greater power to control demonstrations. - Longer, more severe sentences for criminals. - Support for the institution of traditional marriage.

Answer 34

Like traditional conservatives, the New Right emphasised the importance of home ownership.

Answer 35

- Tenants in local authority housing were given the right to buy their homes at discounted prices. - It was made easier for families to obtain mortgages

Answer 36

- Neo-conservatives also were normally nationalistic. - They saw patriotism and support for the union as important ways to maintain social order. - Thatcherites were also suspicious of multinational associations such as the EU, as they believed that foreign policy should represent the pursuit of the nation’s own interests above all else.

Answer 37

- Interventionist foreign policy, closely linked with the USA. - Euroscepticism – distrust of the European Union - Brexit 2016

Answer 38

- Similar views about social justice – that excessive inequality in society is unacceptable. - The welfare state is a key element in creating and maintaining social justice - There should be equal rights and no discrimination against any part of society. - Private businesses need to be encouraged to act in the public interest.

Answer 39

- Stressed individualism, whereas Old Labour stressed collectivism - Old Labour supported nationalisation and state intervention in the economy. New Labour accepted & encouraged free-market capitalism. - Old Labour saw society in terms of class conflict. New Labour saw individual interests as more important than class interests. - New labour saw inequality as something that could be tolerated as long as equality of opportunity was enhanced.

Answer 40

Between socialism and Thatcherism, trying to capture the centre ground of politics.

Answer 41

- Kier Starmer is towards the rightwing of Labour members of parliament, according to a study of the political positions of the MPs from every major party. - 20 Labour councillors have quit and will sit as independents in Nottinghamshire, in protest over the direction of the party.

Answer 42

- Economy & Infrastructure: Bring rail, mail, water and energy into public ownership + Free bus travel for under 25s. - Education: National Education Service to porvide support and oppurtunity throughout life + abolish tuition fees. - Environment: Net-Zero by the '2030s'

Answer 43

- The idea that people are of equal worth and there should be no unjustified privileges or inequality in society. Unlike Marxists, who pursue complete equality in living standards, Labour used to support redistribution of income to reduce the worst inequalities. A better characterisation of equality for Labour is ‘social justice’.

Answer 44

Policy: Privileges should be removed/reduced. Policy: Taxes & welfare should be used to redistribute income to the poor. Policy: Introduction of comprehensive (non selective) education

Answer 45

Collectivism is a general idea shared by socialists of all kinds. A belief that most people prefer to achieve their goals collectively rather than individually. People are social animals rather than only worrying about their own interests.

Answer 46

- Policy: There should be a welfare state where healthcare, education, housing, social insurance, pensions & social care should all be paid for out of general taxes. All should be equally entitled to these benefits. - Policy: Support for trade unionism. Labour recognised that workers were weak compared to employers. Support for trade unions was vital in restoring the balance of powers between employers and workers

Answer 47

Capitalism can be tolerated but only if it serves the interests of the whole community, and there is not exploitation of workers.

Answer 48

- Policy: Strong trade unions to defend the interests of workers. - Policy: Key industries, e.g. energy/utilities, should be brought under public ownership & state control (this is called nationalisation)

Answer 49

All in society should have equal opportunities, and should have access to a decent standard of living. Labour recognised that total equality was not feasible, so championed equality of opportunity, the idea that all should have equal life chances no matter what their family background.

Answer 50

- Policy: Provide education and other welfare benefits, and the welfare state should guarantee living standards. - Policy: Strong laws to guarantee equal rights and outlaw discrimination. For example, in the 1960s and 1970s discrimination against women and ethnic minorities was outlawed, and equal pay for women was introduced

Answer 51

There is a fundamental division in society between classes, mainly the middle and working classes. This gap should be reduced. Old Labour supporters tend to see society in terms of class conflict, arguing that the interests of the two great classes – working and middle class – cannot be reconciled, so governments need to favour the interests of the working class who are often disadvantaged.

Answer 52

Policy: The standard of living of the working class should be paid for through welfare and taxing of higher incomes.

Answer 53

- Old Labour believed that the central state could play a key role in controlling the economy and in ensuring social justice. By placing more responsibilities in the hands of the state, equality of treatment for all could be ensured.

Answer 54

- Policy: Government intervention in the economy to ensure that capitalism does not take advantage of workers. - Policy: A welfare state, organised by the government, to act as a safety net for those in need

Answer 55

The old collectivist ideas of Labour were replaced by a greater emphasis on the ability of the individual to reach their own goals. - New Labour resisted the pressure to bring privatised industries back under state control, so Labour for the first time was no longer committed to nationalisation

Answer 56

- Policy: Lower personal taxation, and home ownership to be encouraged & supported. - Policy: A stress on education in order to maximise the ability of individuals to widen their opportunities. - Policy: Contracts awarded to private companies to build new schools and hospitals.

Answer 57

- Labour accepted that free-market capitalism, without lots of state intervention, was the best form of creating wealth. - Trade unions wanted Labour to restore the powers that Thatcher had removed in the 1980s, but Labour governments refused.

Answer 58

- Policy: Not focusing on nationalisation – supporting privatisation instead (consensus politics). - Policy: Reduced taxes for corporations, to encourage investment from businesses.

Answer 59

- New Labour supported using the welfare state as a safety net available to those most in need, rather than making it a disincentive to work. - Instead of restoring taxes on the wealthy and on businesses to pay for higher welfare, Blair and Brown preferred to use public borrowing to facilitate their policies.

Answer 60

- Policy: Increased spending on health and education. This spending could be sustained during the economic boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s, but debts mounted up when the economy slowed down from 2008. - Policy: Welfare targeted to those most in need and withheld from those who do not seek work.

Answer 61

- New Labour shared many of the beliefs of traditional Labour. - However, New Labour emphasised wealth creation rather than redistribution, seeking to reduce poverty but not making the elimination of inequality a priority.

Answer 62

- Policy: Laws to outlaw discrimination. - Policy: The minimum wage to eliminate unacceptably low wages (although at a less generous level than trade unions wanted), and the welfare state to guarantee living standards.

Answer 63

- A belief that Britain has a responsibility to care for the poorer parts of the world.

Answer 64

- Policy: Increasing foreign aid and campaigning to cancel ‘third world’ debt. - Policy: Intervening abroad where democracy and human rights are threatened. This led Blair to marry his foreign policy to that of the USA.

Answer 65

- Blair famously said that Labour was ‘tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime’, meaning that he was willing to punish criminal behaviour, while continuing to tackle poor social conditions. - Blair famously said that Labour was ‘tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime’, meaning that he was willing to punish criminal behaviour, while continuing to tackle poor social conditions.

Answer 66

- Policy: Legal measures brought in to deal with anti-social behaviour, known as ASBOs (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders). These could be imposed by a magistrate, banning an individual from particular activities or entering a specific area.

Answer 67

Reform within touching distance of Labour as poll suggests 'new era' for British politics. Reform UK has grown in support to within one percentage point of Labour according to a new poll for Sky News by YouGov which suggests Britain has entered a new era of three-way party politics.

Answer 68

- Won record number of seats: 71, beating the previous record of 62 in 2005

Answer 69

Labour went up from 202 seats in 2019 to a 32.1% increase in 2024.

Answer 70

- Supports a referendum on electoral reform to establish the Single Transferable Vote Sytem. - Reform policies to modernise and decentralise politics.

Answer 71

- Pass a clean Air Act - Invest in renewable energy and zero-carbon transport, industry and housing - Aim for 90% of the UK's electricity to be generated by renewable energy by 2030

Answer 72

- Employ 8000 more GPs to allow everyone to see a doctor within 7 days - Provide free house insulation and heat pumps for low-income households.

Answer 73

- Voters focus on who could be a potential prime minister. - When Theresa May became PM in 2016, she had 6 years of experience as Home Secretary. She was elected unopposed by her party, and had a media image of being tough and of being someone with integrity. - However, the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had no experience as a minister, had a poor media image, and was seen as unable to lead his party. - Corbyn’s improved image did not last, and Boris Johnson was very popular and had a strong media image. In 2019, this led to Labour’s worst defeat since 1918.

Answer 74

- Conservatives were united by Thatcher whereas Labour was split between its left and right wings. This led Labour to actually split in 1981, ending the party’s chance of providing effective electoral opposition to Thatcher - who won huge victories in 1983 and 1987. - In 1997, the Conservatives were the divided party (mostly over Europe) whereas Labour was united around Blair’s ’New Labour’ project.

Answer 75

- Some research suggests that newspapers reinforce existing political beliefs and do not actually change minds, but there is still a probability that newspaper campaigns (for they do pick sides) may persuade voters. - In 2017, the following newspapers supported the following political parties: • The Sun (Con) 39% • Daily Mirror (Lab) 62% • Daily Mail (Con) 57% - However, this may be because readers tend to buy newspapers with whose views they already agree. This does not mean that newspapers influence political beliefs or voting.

Answer 76

- Tax breaks for doctors and nurses to increase the number of staff - Improve rail and road links, especially in Wales and other parts of England.

Answer 77

- Prioritise crime prevention discipline, public service and high fitness levels among trainee police officers. - Tackle youth crime by opening High Intensity Training Camps

Answer 78

- Stop all non-essential migration - Any illegal immigrants that come to the UK will be detained and deported - Leave the ECHR