Politics and the shaping of the british economy : from Labour to Brexit Flashcards
Who was the first PMs after MT ?
John Major who resigned in 1997, then John Smith who died in 1999 and Tony Blair
When the New Labour was created ?
1995
What policies did the New Labour party has given up ?
Trade unions culture + Natinalisation + public ownership
What policies did the New Labour party has given up ?
Trade unions culture + Natinalisation + public ownership + Clause IV about the vote of unions
What are “loony supporters” that Tony Blair wanted to get rid off ?
Extremists inside the labour Party
When was elected Tony Blair ?
1997
What are so special about the election of Tony Blair ?
It was a landslide victory and there was record number of women in the House of Commons and a political watershed.
What are the policies of New Labour ?
Promise to give a right for individuals for a more equal society
What is “the third way” ?
It’s a theory created by Anthony Giddens in 1998 and applied by Tony Blair.
Why Conservatives voted Labour ?
Low turnout of Conservatives + Expensive campaign of Blair + Lack of image of John Major
Blair’s measures of the first term
Constitutional reform (reduced number of hereditary peers in the HoL) + better transports + Good friday agreement + decrease of violence in NI
Blair’s economic measures of the first term
No increase of the income tax + focus on education to lower the rate of unemployment + Bank of England can determine interest rates + Golden rule
What is the Golden rule
Banlance between spending and borrowing
What are Blair’s industrial and unemployment policies on its first term?
Reduction of red tape, intervention of trade unions. More fairness at work.
What are Blair’s policies socially ?
Anti-social behaviour order to respect each other + no drinking, smoking in public places + no benefits for those who don’t get to work.
What is the point of the Equality agenda ?
Equal rights for minority groups : women, ethnic minority groups, the disabled, gay people.
What did Blair for women ?
He shortlisted women for the selection of Parliamentary candidate. It encourages women to do politics and there was an influx of women as MPs.
What did Blair for the gay community ?
He reduced the age of consent to 16, he introduced civil partnerships, athorization to be openly gay in the army and repealed section 28 : teachers can now teach about homosexuality.
What did Blair for ethnic minorities ?
He reformed the police by creating a Black association for police officers and a commission to ensure that there is no racial inequality caused by the police. (Ex : death of Stephen Lawrence)
What did Blair for economy ?
He tried to reduce poverty in the northern and western areas : high unemployment and low education.
What is the Foundation Hospitals ?
It’s the creation of the league tables for hospitals and doctors with targets to achieve to get aid from the state. If they don’t get a state fund, they will be aided by the private sector only.
Why was Blair unpopular on his second and third term ?
Abou the international affairs and the War on Terror. Blair had a key role on helping the US attacking terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq.
What happened in 2005 in London ?
Bombings
What happened in 2005 in London ?
Bombings : 50 killings.
When did Blair resign ?
in 2007
Why were some of the reasons of the resignation of Blair ?
He was too right for centre for the Labour party; he often ignored his cabinet; he closed ties with the US, he supported the Iraq war; he maintained Thatcher reforms.
What are the positive economic points of Blair ?
Economic growth up 2.4%/year + unemployment lowest since 70’s (5,5%) + inflation under control + development of infrastructures and public facilities.
What are the weak point economically of Blair ?
bank had too much freedom; too much involvement of private firms in public sector; national debt doubled (617 billion)
Who succeeded Blair ?
Gordon Brown from 2007-2010
When did the UK joined the EU ?
1973
When did the dynamics of the international relations change ?
After WW2
The UK is at the center of what ?
Three great circles of influence known as Europe, the Commonwealth and the English speaking-world.
What are the advantages of the Commonwealth/the Empire ?
The trade of food, raw materials because it’s at a low price.
What are the advantages of the English speaking world ?
It’s the very special relationship with the US.
Why was the UK afraid to join the EU ?
Because the Parliament wouldn’t be the most supreme authority anymore
Did the UK sign the treaty of Rome ?
No
When the first application failed and why ?
In 1961 because the UK’s economy was struggling and that the other circles weren’t attractive.
When did the second application failed and why ?
In 1967 because De Gaulle used his veto to block the British entry. He dind’t want to deal with Atlanticism coming from the UK.
Who heal a referendum on the UK joining the EU, in which year and what was the result ?
MP Harold Wilson held a referendum in 1975 and the British people said they wanted to remain with 67%.
What was the positions of the PM after WW2?
Churchill : wanted the EU
Thatcher : euroskeptic
John Major : pro-european
Blair : pro-european
Cameron : pro-european
When did Cameron become PM ?
2010-2016
What did Cameron change by becoming leader of the Democratic party ?
He shifted the party from right to central politics
What is a hung Parliament ?
It’s when no party was able to get an overall majority of seats in Parliament
Which parties formed a coalition ?
Liberal Democrats and the COnservative party
Who is the leader of the Liberal democrat ?
Nick Clegg
Who is the Chancellor of the Exchequer of David Cameron ?
George Osbourne
David Camron took his ideas from who ?
Benjamin Disraeli a Conservative PM in 1868 : one nation conservatism.
The eliste is responsible to protect the less fortunate.
What Cameron promoted ?
Gay marriage, competitions with schools, local organizations in a Big Society, the Education, the NHS, the Old Age pensions and a deregulated economy
What did Cameron to his own party ?
He brought divisions because he was modern, because he wanted Gay marriage and to stay in the EU.
What are the arguments to remain in the UK ?
Grow the economy
Staying in the single market
Damage the political force of the UK
Keep better interntional relationships
More protection for workers
Allow unskilled workers to come
What are the arguments to leave the EU ?
Supremacy of the EU over the UK
Too much money invested in Brussels : more money for the NHS
Controlling the immigrtion : ‘points system’
Less red tape
