Political Parties - History and development of Conservative Party

Question 1

Traditional / One nation conservatism

Answer 1

Welfare - Support, helps those less fortunate
Tax - Prefer low tax
State - State should benefit the poor
Society - Belief in organic society, preserve one nation
Economy - Likely to intervene (Keynesian economics and a welfare state programme which tries to reduce inequality)
Law and order - Strong position to keep self interest in check
Property - Support property rights

Question 2

Thatcherism/The New Right - 1979 Conservative Party

Answer 2

Welfare - Excessive welfare threatens enterprise
Tax - Against high tax
State - Reduce state control
Society - Society is collection of atomistic individuals
Economy - Laissez faire economic, no intervention (privatisation)
Law and order - Strong position
Property - Support property rights

• Rolling back the state
• Weakened unions and 2nd picketing

Question 3

Modern Conservatism under Cameron

Answer 3

Welfare - Defence of welfare, to incentivise work
Tax - Preference for low tax
State - Minimal intervention, but to help less fortunate
Society - Big Society, society to take on roles of state, UK Bill of Rights (failure?)
Economy - Likes free markets
Law and order - Strong position, but on causes too. Hug a hoodie
Property - Support property rights

• 2010 coalition with LibDem, eventually solo 2015
• Championed himself as a liberal conservative
• more tolerant to alternative lifestyles (SSM 2013)
• The coalition held AV referendum 2011 and increase to nuclear program
• Promoted awareness for global warming
• Far from strong law and order days Empathy towards young criminals (2006 Hug a Hoodie, companies rewarded for rehabilitating criminals )
• Large spending cuts (Many departments 25% down, exc NHS) and austerity in (Blamed 2007-8 financial crisis on labour)
• Created universal credit system which ultimately encouraged those on benefits to find work (aiding economy)
• Worked with US on foreign policy (Supported airstrikes against IS in Iraq)
• Held brexit referendum (ultimately led to his resignation as he supported remain)
• Involved in Libya (Imposed no fly zone and encouraged obama to strike)
• 2013 lost MP vote for action in syria (opposite of blair who ignored)

Question 4

Modern Conservatism: Under Theresa May

Answer 4

• Increase NHS spending
• Extra 4BN to schools
• Cut migration below 100k
• Cut corp tax by 17%
• Limit benefits
• Replaced Dep of Climate change with brexit department
• Elected after 2016 EU referendum
• Desired to make deal “for the many”
• Called a snap election in 2017 which weakened her majority forcing a supply deal with DUP
• Failed to get her deal approved twice

Question 5

Libdem

Values

Answer 5

• Tolerance - All beliefs, lifestyles and religions should be accepted
• Liberty and Rights - Individual freedoms and rights must be protected
• Equality of opportunity - Unfair advantages should be removed
• Social justice - redistribution of wealth
• Constitutionalism - Strong constitution should limit government power

Question 6

Cleggs Lib dem coalition 2010-16

Answer 6

• Raised the threshold of tax to 11K, helping poor

- However U Turn on Uni tuition and fail of constitutional reform cost them 50 seats