The Conservative party

Question 1

Who, originally, were the Conservative party?

Answer 1

An aristocratic group who came together to defend the right of landowners in England - they have their origins in the Anglican faith of the Church of England

Question 2

What are the strands of Conservatism?

Answer 2

Traditional - aristocratic group protecting the rights of poorer landowners; religion, and monarchism
One nation - seeks to bridge the gap through a paternalistic strategy
The new right - taxes cut on business to help them in terms of production to boost the economy, reduce funding of trade unions to limit their powers

Question 3

Who was Sir Robert Peel?

Answer 3

Prime Minister 1834-35 and 1841-46

Question 4

The party began to evolve from…

Answer 4

the Tories, as a party that would defend landowner’s rights, but also protect against liberal revolution.

Question 5

Gradual reform was…

Answer 5

preferred, in order to ‘conservatively’ protect long standing British institutions, such as the Church and the Crown.

Question 6

In the late 19th to 20th century the party was remarkably…

Answer 6

successful at gaining and retaining support not only from landed gentry but also from the burgeoning middle class.

Question 7

Who is associated with one nation Conservatism?

Answer 7

Benjamin Disraeli - PM in 1868 and also 1874-80.

Question 8

Explain ‘Sybil’

Answer 8

• Disraeli’s book on the idea of one nation conservatism
• Discusses the growing chasm between the rich and poor within society, produced by the industrial revolution and rise of capitalism

Question 9

Explain the idea of ‘the true leaders’.

Answer 9

• The policy hinges on the idea of an unwritten agreement between those who lead the state and those who work for it
• Those true leaders who lead will do so in the best interests of the followers, as long as they obey the laws put in place

Question 10

The idea of ‘the true leaders’ worked in a Britain that was underpinned by…

Answer 10

Empire and nationalistic rule - WWII smashed the political landscape

Question 11

What type of conservatism was Thatcherism?

Answer 11

The New Right.

Question 12

What did Thatcher seek to do in relation to the economy?

Answer 12

• To reduce state intervention in the economy
• To control the trade unions and their influence over industry
• This policy was a move away from one nation conservatism

Question 13

How did Thatcher view public spending?

Answer 13

• It had to be controlled, so that tax cuts to provide incentive for business leaders to stimulate economic growth
• E.g., Amstrad computers - created by Alan Sugar

Question 14

Explain privatisation of industry?

Answer 14

• Services and industry are privatised
• To produce competition in industry
• Nationalised industry = state funded - funded by government - therefore, more taxes
• Private industry = no longer state funding - cut taxes - industry goes into the hands of private companies

Question 15

What were the legal limits on trade unions by Thatcher?

Answer 15

• Put in place to deter trade union activism
• Capping industry wages
• Closing down certain industries

Question 16

What was Thatcher’s approach to law and order?

Answer 16

• Increase policing powers

Question 17

What are examples of British force going abroad to deter external threats, during the Thatcher government?

Answer 17

• Falklands

- Asserting dominance on global stage to deter communism

Question 18

How did Thatcher desire to protect British sovereignty against the growth of the European community?

Answer 18

• Thatcher was a believer in the British currency, and British law

Question 19

What happened to the Conservative party straight after Thatcher’s resignation?

Answer 19

• The party struggled to define its identity in her wake

- The party was still split on the question of Europe stemming from the Thatcher times

Question 20

How did John Major continue Thatcherism?

Answer 20

• Continued with privatisation - coal and railways

Question 21

How did John Major compare with Thathcer?

Answer 21

He was less confrontational in terms of style

Question 22

What was one of the main problems the conservatives were facing in the 1990s?

Answer 22

• Europe
• Major was a moderate pro-European
• He sought to reconcile with the conflicting factions within the party

Question 23

What was the Maastricht Treaty?

Answer 23

• Treaty for further European integration
• Signed 7th February 1992
• Streamlined Britain into the European Union
• Britain kept the pound

Question 24

What did Eurosceptics in the Conservative Party think about Maastricht?

Answer 24

• Adamantly agains the idea of Britain further being integrated into the EU
• Particularly against the European Communities Bill - which ratified the joining of Austria, Finland and Sweden

Question 25

Who was Bill Cash.

Answer 25

• Conservative MP
• Had the whip withdrawn, due to refusing to support the Maastricht Treaty
• He was a Eurosceptic

Question 26

Who was William Hague?

Answer 26

1997-2001 - leader of the Conservatives and leader of the opposition
- Held many positions - including offices of state - shadow foreign secretary, deputy leader, leader of the House of Commons

Question 27

Who was Iain Duncan-Smith?

Answer 27

2001-2003 leader of the Conservatives

- Secretary of state for work and pensions

Question 28

Who was Michael Howard?

Answer 28

Leader of the Conservatives from 2003-2005

- Has been shadow home secretary, under Major

Question 29

Why was there a fallow period for the Conservatives from 1997-2005?

Answer 29

• All 3 leaders tried to distance themselves form Thatcherism
• They couldn’t wrestle the party form its divide over Europe or law and order
• Ageing membership and outdated policies
• Uncharismatic leaders

Question 30

What happens to the Conservatives in 2005?

Answer 30

• Cameron beats David Davis to leadership of the Party
• He seeks to bring the party into the 21st Century
• He was respectful of Thatcherism, but he knew that Conservatives had to change

Question 31

What did David Cameron wish to achieve in government?

Answer 31

• He wanted to safeguard the NHS
• Focused on the people than the Thatcherite idea of individualism
• An updated approach of one nation conservatism
• Legislation of gay marriage