political parties pt1 Flashcards
how are parties funded
membership subscriptions
fundraising - dinner, fetes etc
donations from supporters
loans for wealthy ppl and banks
there is £2mill available per party in grants from the Electoral Commission
what is state funding
when political parties receive money from the state (taxpayer funding) to help cover costs
3 arguments FOR state funding with examples
- reduces influence of WEALTHY DONORS - this limits corruption bc ppl cant buy their way to decision makers and influence. Bernie Ecclestone (formula1 boss) influenced Labour gov policy on banning tobacco advertising. then when labour won it made this sport exempt from the ban
- reduces huge financial advantage the major parties have - gives smaller parties more opportunities for progress eg 2019 GE Cons spent £16mil+ but Greens spent less than £1mill –> improves democracy bc more smaller groups get involved
- increases TRANSPARENCY - state funding would mean we can see exactly where the money comes from bc its from tax payers not private donors etc. BUILDS TRUST in political system
3 arguments AGAINST state funding with examples
- HOW MUCH DOES EACH PARTY GET?? - hard to decide whats ‘fair’. eg 2007 Phillips Report said ‘pence-per-voter’ formula for state funding. –> but this would keep main 2 parties: undemocratic
- lead to excessive state regulation of parties - eg the Elections and Refs Act 2000 already puts limits on how parties spend money - smaller parties complain the rules are too complicated unfair. more state funding would mean more rules - harder for smaller parties to grow bc they dont have the staff and money to deal w paperwork
- taxpayers may object to fund parties they dont agree with -> undemocratic forced to support all parties financially
key LEFT wing ideas
- redistributing income from rich to poor through taxation and welfare
- generous min wage
- strong support for the welfare state against private sector insolvent in this
- supports workers rights (job security, fair contracts, working conditions) and trade union power
- state should run industries vital to society and economy –> energy, rail, mail etc
- equal rights for all groups –> women, minorities
- support aid for poor countries
key RIGHT wing ideas
- low levels of corporate taxation –> encourages motivation and innovation
- welfare benefits low as incentive for poor ppl to find work and not be dependent on state
- private enterprises should run key industries more efficiently than state
- support free markets in goods, finance, labour: reducing trade union power
- strong emphasis on law and order
- strong emphasis on national unit and patriotism
what are the main ideas of the CONSERVATIVE party
- a stress on law, order and national security
- gentle reform over radical ideas
- individualism - ppl shouldn’t economically rely on state
- patriotism (support for country) + support for tradition
- pragmatic (practical+realistic) approach to decision making
- low taxation, financial responsibility
- capitalism
- importance of private property ownership
what is One Nation Conservatism
- first used it Benjamin Disraeli
- fraction of the Con party
- believes society should work together with rich and poor supporting each other
- Noblesse oblige - french word meaning rich have responsibility for poor
- unity over conflict - everyone part of one nation
- strong government to keep order and protect country
- supports welfare like NHS to reduce inequality
- pragmatic
what is New Right Conservatism
- combines neo-conservatism with neo-liberalism
- low taxes - individual wealth shouldn’t be taxed
- privatisation - sell of state own industries
- anti-welfare - leads to dependency on state and lacks motivation
- wary of immigration - anti-eu but pro-America
- strong police and punishments
whats neo-conservatism and neo-liberalism
neo-conservatism
- though on crime - strong police
- traditional values - family core of stable society
neo-liberalism (economic freedom)
- cut taxes - especially for rich
- privatisation - sell of state-owned industries
- ppl buy their council houses
- reduce state spending - ppl too dependent on the state
example of new right
- Margaret Thatcher PM 1979-1990
- “There us no such thing as society” - ppl should rely on themselves - no help from state
- neo-conservative and neo-liberal
is the Con party One Nation or New Right - ECONOMY
NEW RIGHT
- 2019 manifesto promised not to raise national insurance, VAT nd income tax –> ppl should keep their wealth
ONE NATION
- Sunak as chancellor announced £170bill investment in 2020 budget with infrastructure projects to boost economic growth –> mixed economy with state intervention
is the Con party One Nation or New Right - WELFARE
NEW RIGHT
- since 2010 Cons supported welfare reform - led to reduction of benefits through benefit caps, ‘bedroom tax’ and universal credit –> cuts on gov spending on which reduced welfare dependency - ppl encouraged to be more self-reliant
ONE NATION
- 2019 manifesto ‘levelling up’ funding for schools and hospitals. BJ promised 50k more nurses –> supports one nation bc rich have responsibility for poor
is the Con party One Nation or New Right - LAW AND ORDER
NEW RIGHT
- 2020 Priti Patel (home sec) proposed points based immigration system reducing unskilled migration –> anti immigration.
- BJ ended early release of guilt ppl in Streatham attacks –> strong and respect for police for - hierarchy in society
ONE NATION
- David Cameron favoured rehabilitation rather than punishment for drug addicts
- May warned police of over-use of stop and search for ppl of ethnic minorities
is the Con party One Nation or New Right - FOREIGN AFFAIRS
NEW RIGHT
- BJ promised ‘get Brexit done’ in 2019 GE –> dislike of EU stance of new right
ONE NATION
- most Con MPs voted and campaigned to stay in EU –> pro EU stance of one nation
main ideas of the Labour party
- reduce inequality
- progressive tax system and redistribute real income
- high direct taxes to fund public services
- support for extensive well-funded welfare state –> free meals , healthcare and education
- balance interests for workers and employers
- equal rights
Old Labour features (social democracy)
- traditional form of labour before 1990s based on social democracy (capitalism managed so its fairer for everyone)
- nationalisation of key industries - state own major services
- higher taxes for rich to fund welfare
- reudce inequality between classes
- support NHS, free education, pensions, benefits - state should help those in need
- trade unions help working people - supporting workers right, pay, conditions
example of Old labour
- Clement Attlee 1945-51
- introduced NHS
- nationalised industries
- build welfare state
New Labour ideas (Third Way)
- modernised version of labour combining social justice with free market economy
- accaepts capitalism, supports private businesses
- focuses on helping ppl help themselves - eg education + training
- big investments in NHS and education
- tough on crime and law and order
- mixed economy - some stuff owned by gov and some by private companies
example of new labour
- Tony Blair 1997-2007
- Gordon Brown 2007-2010
Is the Labour Party more New Labour or Old Labour - EQUALITY
NEW LABOUR
- Blair introduced Working Families Tax Credit and invested in education and skills –> help ppl to help themselves rather than j redistribute wealth
OLD LABOUR
- 2024 labour made amendments to Equality Act 2010 to prevent sexual harassment at work –> state is protecting workers’ rights to promote equality
Is the Labour Party more New Labour or Old Labour - ECONOMY
NEW LABOUR
- Blair and Brown didn’t reverse Thatcher’s privatisation in key industries like energy, water, railways —> shows free markets and state ownership
OLD LABOUR
- 2025 removing private schools from exemption of 20% VAT –> reduces inequality through redistributive taxes
Is the Labour Party more New Labour or Old Labour - WELFARE
NEW LABOUR
- 1998 Blair’s New Deal - unemployed ppl attended training and job programmes to keep their benefits –> shows state helps ppl to help themselves
OLD LABOUR
- 2024 Starmer ban on zero-hour-contracts –> protects workers from unfair treatment and exploitation –> state helping the working class
Is the Labour Party more New Labour or Old Labour - LAW AND ORDER
NEW LABOUR
- 2024 Starmer announced new violent disorder unit to deal with far-right riots –> tough approach to law and order showing Blair’s policy ‘tough on crime’
OLD LABOUR
- 2024 Starmer promised invest in youth clubs and community policing –> prevents crime and tackles root issues - helps social issues
