Political Parties - Established Labour

Question 1

What is the economic policy of ‘Old Labour’?

Answer 1

Clause IV, as drafted by Sidney Webb, was adopted into Labour’s constitution, committing the party to work towards “the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange”

Question 2

What is the welfare policy of ‘Old Labour’?

Answer 2

Emphasis on workers’ rights and protections though unions

Question 3

What is the economic policy of ‘New Labour’?

Answer 3

Creation of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) which paid for public needs (railways etc) by selling them to private companies

Question 4

Why is 1997-2007 crucial to the New Labour success?

Answer 4

The longest period of sustained low inflation since the 60s

Question 5

What was reduced through New Labour’s economic policy?

Answer 5

Reduced government ownership of public needs

Reduced corporate tax to encourage enterprise, innovation and investment

Question 6

What was the welfare policy of ‘New Labour’?

Answer 6

A stress on education, including the expansion of higher education (50% going to university), introduction of Social Chapter to protect workers’ rights, minimum wage introduced.

Question 7

What did New Labour increase within society for welfare?

Answer 7

85,000 more nurses
32,000 more doctors
Child benefit up 26 per cent since 1997
600,000 children lifted out of relative poverty

Question 8

What is the economic policy of ‘Third Way’ Labour?

Answer 8

Introduction of 50% tax rate to tackle the depression, targeting the richest in the UK and maintain higher rates of public spending

Question 9

What were Miliband’s promises for the ‘Third Way’ Labour?

Answer 9

Miliband’s aim for a reduced 10% tax bracket for the poorest (failed), tougher limits on tax avoidance, favoured ‘tax and spend’ policies, promised to ‘cut the deficit every year’ (Miliband)

Question 10

What was the welfare policy of ‘Third Way’ Labour?

Answer 10

Maintained public spending in welfare, promised increases in public sector funding (failed), wanted to raise minimum wage to £8 per hour, increased worker protection

Question 11

What was the welfare policy of ‘Corbyn’s Labour’

Answer 11

Opposed benefit cuts, wanted all welfare providers to be state run and not part of Private Companies, promoted national education service and opposed student fees, More than £30billion of extra funding for the NHS through increased income tax for top 5 per cent earners

Question 12

What was the welfare policy of ‘Stamer’s Labour’?

Answer 12

Set a national goal for wellbeing to make health as important as GDP; Support the abolition of tuition fees and invest in lifelong learning. An immigration system based on compassion and dignity. End indefinite detention

Question 13

What was the economic policy of ‘Corbyn’s Labour’?

Answer 13

Called for the creation of a National Investment Bank, renationalisation of railways and industry, wanted to implement the 50% tax bracket, mansion taxes, against austerity measure, raising corporation tax to 26%

Question 14

What was the economic policy of ‘Starmer’s Labour’?

Answer 14

Increase income tax for the top 5% of earners, reverse the Tories’ cuts in corporation tax and clamp down on tax avoidance, particularly of large corporations. No stepping back from our core principles.

Question 15

What was the foreign policy of ‘Old Labour’?

Answer 15

Few policies until WW2

Question 16

What was the foreign policy of ‘New Labour’?

Answer 16

Written off up to 100 per cent of debt owed by poorest countries, Introduced the Equality and Human Rights Commission, involvement in the Iraq War and elimination of Al-Qaeda, supported membership of the EU

Question 17

What was the foreign policy of ‘Third Way Labour’?

Answer 17

Same as New Labour

Question 18

What was the foreign policy of ‘Corbyn’s Labour’?

Answer 18

Favoured removal from NATO and other ‘arms’ based groups, supported membership of the EU (debated) and opposed spending in the war against ISIS,
Return Britain to a leadership role in Europe, but reform the EU so that it works for Britain, continued support for immigration,
Support the renewal of Trident, Keep defence spending as 2% of GDP.

Question 19

What was the foreign policy of ‘Starmer’s Labour’?

Answer 19

No more illegal wars. Introduce a Prevention of Military Intervention Act and put human rights at the heart of foreign policy. Review all UK arms sales and make us a force for international peace and justice.

Question 20

What are the factions of the Labour Party?

Answer 20

1. Momentum
2. Labour First
3. Progress
4. Compass

Question 21

Who are the ‘Momentum’ Faction?

Answer 21

A new grassroots left-wing organisation that wants ordinary members to have much more influence over the party. Cheerleaders for Corbyn and organise in his defence. This group is subject to continued scrutiny about its possible links to long established hard-left groups.

Question 22

Who are the ‘Labour First’ Faction?

Answer 22

Strongly in opposition to Corbyn and seen as representing the right of the party. Claims to exist to represent ‘moderate party members’.

Question 23

Who are the ‘Progress’ Faction?

Answer 23

Represents New Labour ideas and is part of Labour’s right wing. This group was once very influential, but now seriously sidelined due to Corbyn’s success.

Question 24

Who are the ‘Compass’ faction?

Answer 24

Set up in 2003 in opposition to Blair by Neil Lawson, this group could now be described as critical friends of Corbyn.

Question 25

How many seats did Labour win in 2019 GE?

Answer 25

202 seats

Question 26

What percentage of vote share did Labour have in 2019?

Answer 26

32.1%

Question 27

How many seats did Labour win in 2010 GE?

Answer 27

258 seats

Question 28

What percentage of vote share did Labour have in 2010?

Answer 28

29.0%

Question 29

How many seats did Labour win in 1997 GE?

Answer 29

418 seats

Question 30

What percentage of vote share did Labour win in 1997?

Answer 30

43.2%

Question 31

How many seats did Labour win in 1979 GE?

Answer 31

269 seats

Question 32

What percentage of vote share did Labour win in 1979?

Answer 32

36.9%

Question 33

What was the Law and Order policy of Old Labour?

Answer 33

Very few policies until WW2

Question 34

What was the Law and Order policy of New Labour?

Answer 34

introduction of ASBOs (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders), ‘tough on
crime and tough on the causes of crime’

Question 35

What was the Law and Order policy of Third Way Labour?

Answer 35

Maintained a tough on crime and tough on causes of crime policy,

Question 36

What was the Law and Order policy of Corbyn’s Labour?

Answer 36

opposed cuts to police forces, against the introduction of ID cards, rejected plans to increase funding for terrorism control in favour of welfare, 10,000 more police officers for community beats, Conduct major review of counter-terror Prevent programme

Question 37

What was the Law and Order policy of Starmer’s Labour?

Answer 37

Pull down obstacles that limit opportunities and talent. We are the party of the Equal Pay Act, Sure Start, BAME representation and the abolition of Section 28 – we must build on that for a new decade.