The Labour Party Flashcards
Old Labour and social democracy:
The Labour Party was founded in 1900 by a group of socialist societies and trade unions
Politically active working people had tended to support the liberal party but it was felt that working-class people needed a party specifically concerned with their interests
Known as the Labour representation committee until 1906 when it changed its name to the Labour Party
Wanted to get more working class MPs into Parliament to push for improved working and living conditions for the working class
Old Labour and social democracy:
Old Labour focused on nationalisation redistribution of wealth from the rich to the poor et cetera
left-wing ideology social democracy
Old Labour and social democracy:
Clause 4 of the party’s 1918 constitution stated a commitment to the nationalisation of key industries and services so they run in the interests of the community rather than for profit alone
Old Labour and social democracy:
1924 — first Labour government under Ramsay McDonald short lived administration with no overall majority
1929 to 31 — second labour government, frustrated and divided by the onset of the economic depression following the Wall Street crash, no overall majority
Old Labour and social democracy:
1945 to 51 — The first majority Labour government under Clement Attlee and the first Labour government able to make real changes
Nationalised major industries such as coal and railways, introduced the NHS (Free healthcare at the point of need) and a comprehensive system of social security inspired by the wartime Beveridge report
Old Labour and social democracy:
Postwar Labour governments were social Democratic
They did not try to abolish capitalism but aimed to manage it so it did not exploit the workforce, emphasise the importance of welfare policy in redistributing wealth and creating a fairer society
Creation of comprehensive schools intended to promote greater equality of opportunity (example of social democratic approach)
Old Labour and social democracy:
James Callaghan was the last old Labour Prime Minister
defeated in 1979
Label was then divided between moderate social Democrats and more left-wing supporters
Labour lost the 1983 election Due to a hardline socialist program calling for further nationalisation increased taxation and spending abolition of Britain’s nuclear defences and withdrawal from the EEC which they viewed as a capitalist organisation
a new leader, Neil Kinnock, was elected who took steps to modernise the party and move it towards a left of centre position — He was the leader from 1983 to 92
New Labour:
Following election defeat in 1979 and 1983 Labour attempted to broaden its support by moving away from its hard left position
They realised that their left-wing policies had become unpopular and appealed solely to the working class and would not be enough to win an election, especially since more people were becoming more affluent (middle-class expansion)
New Labour:
Neil Kinnock began this process of modernisation and Tony Blair (leader from 1994 to 2007) completed it, successfully rebranding labour and winning the 1997 general election by a landslide
Blair then went on to win two other elections in 2001 and 2005
Blair dropped the party’s commitment to nationalisation by re-writing clause 4 Of the Labour Party constitution in 1995, developed links with the business community, less robust alliance with trade unions et cetera
He also became more pro-EU because the EU had adopted policies that protected workers rights (such as the social chapter)
New Labour:
The party was rebranded new Labour also known as the third way as it aimed to find A middle way between old-style socialism and freemarket capitalism
The third way developed under the influence of progressive socialist thinker Anthony Giddens
Strong emphasis was placed on managing the media to project a more modern image of the party
Great efforts were made to ensure that labour demonstrated unity and discipline unlike the Tory party under John Major — this helped Blair win the 1997 election
New Labour:
New Labour represented a revision of traditional old Labour values and ideas
it shifted more to the centre and appealed to the middle classes too rather than just having a heavy focus on the working-class (aimed to appeal to a wider class base)
departure from socialism:
The creation of new labour aroused intense controversy
Many traditional socialists rejected the modernising efforts as a betrayal of their heritage they felt that Blair was too much at home with business leaders and too enthusiastic for market values, His close links with the US government culminating in the 2003 Iraq war further damaged his credentials as a progressive figure
But many supporters of new Labour argued that it was necessary to adapt to a changing society and gain more support otherwise labour as a whole may never see power again
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said it embodied “traditional values in a modern setting”
departure from socialism: key features of New Labour
Wealth creation rather than redistribution
Sought to reduce poverty but did not make the elimination of inequality a priority
Introduced a national minimum wage which was a long-standing ambition of the Labour Party but it was only £3.60 an hour which was much lower than what trade unions wanted
Blair valued individual aspiration to a better quality of life as entirely natural and could be achieved through a persons efforts
departure from socialism: key features of New Labour
Raising awareness on responsibilities to the community as well as rights
Sought to impose conditions on the receipt of welfare benefits
brought in legal measures to deal with antisocial behaviour called ASBOs (antisocial behaviour orders) which banned an individual from particular activities or entering a specific area
Blair declared that labour must be “tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime” and was willing to punish criminal behaviour while tackling poor social conditions
departure from socialism: key features of New Labour
Responsibility in handling national finances
Aimed to differentiate themselves from earlier social Democratic administrations by conserving resources before investing more in key public services
e.g. increased national insurance contributions in 2002 leading to the largest ever rise in spending on the NHS which was a major turning point
departure from socialism: key features of New Labour
Liberal ideology
Devolution (The transfer of power from central government to new representative bodies in Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland) and the passing of the human rights act illustrate the influence of liberal ideology on new Labour
However they proved willing to curb Civil Liberties in the campaign against crime and terror for example by widening police powers extending the time suspects can be detained before being charged and proposing the introduction of identity cards
departure from socialism: key features of New Labour
Enlisting the private sector to deliver public services
For example private finance initiative (PFI) contracts were awarded to private firms to build new schools and hospitals
Labour leaders since 1945
Clement Attlee prime minister 1945 to 51
Harold Wilson Prime Minister 1964 to 70 and 74 to 76
Michael foot 1980 to 83
Neil Kinnock 1983 to 92
John Smith 1992 to 94
Tony Blair 1994 to 2007
Gordon Brown 2007 to 10
Ed Miliband 2010 to 15
Jeremy Corbyn 2015 to present
origins and development of the Labour Party:
Until the 20th century the working classes many of whom did not gain the right to vote until 1884 were largely represented by a collection of MPs and peers from both the liberal and conservative parties
When trade unions became legalised towards the end of the 19 century however the working-class at last had organisations which could represent their interests
It was therefore logical that the unions should begin to put up candidates for election to the UK Parliament
But the unions were not a political party and did not seek power a new party was needed and two parties of the left emerged
origins and development of the Labour Party:
The main Labour Party was created in 1900 and was very much an offshoot of the trade union movement
it was funded by the unions and many of its members were union leaders and members
origins and development of the Labour Party:
Before that in 1893 a Socialist party had already been founded known as the Independent Labour Party
In 1906 the ILP formed an agreement with the new Labour Party they agreed not to put a Parliamentary candidate against each other in the same constituencies
However this Agreement was short lived and the two parties began to go their separate ways
origins and development of the Labour Party:
the ILP was a genuinely Socialist party committed to the overthrow of capitalism and its replacement by a workers state, although by peaceful and democratic means
The Labour Party by contrast was a more moderate Socialist party which did not propose a workers state but simply wished to improve the conditions of the working class and to control the excesses of capitalism
The state as envisaged by Labour would seek to reconcile the conflicting interests of the working class with those of their employers
Both parties still contained extreme socialists some of which were Marxists who are perhaps better described as Communists but the distinction was essentially that the ILP was purely socialist while labour was a more moderate form of Socialist party generally known as democratic socialism
origins and development of the Labour Party:
Many of the characteristics of the development of the Labour Party can still be seen today
The party continues to be financed largely by trade unions and union leaders play a major role in the party organisation
Although the ILP no longer exists its traditions can still be found among a persistent group of left-wingers who form a faction within the Labour Party
Many of this faction were responsible for the election of Jeremy Corbyn a prominent left-winger as party leader in 2015
Some of them still promote the ideas that formed the basis of the ideology of the old ILP
origins and development of the Labour Party:
Democratic socialism is a moderate form of socialism that proposes to achieve its aims by democratic means
Its main objectives are to mix state control over production with market capitalism so that the interest of the working-class are advanced within a combination of state run welfare and major industries and smaller-scale free enterprise
origins and development of the Labour Party: Labour since WW2
Labour first came to full power after its crushing victory in the 1945 general election
From then on labour became the U.K.’s second major party and regularly competed with the Conservative party for power
origins and development of the Labour Party: Labour since WW2
However in the 1980s the party suffered two huge defeat at the hands of Margaret Thatcher is Conservative party
This ultimately resulted in a split in the party and some left to form a new party called the social Democratic party
some led by Michael foot and Tony Benn wished to return to old Labour values and move even further to the left While others led by Neil Kinnock and John Smith saw the future of the party lying in more moderate policies towards the centre of politics rather than the left
This branch of the party became known as new Labour and its policies were characterised as third way
After John Smith sudden death in 1992 Tony Blair became leader closely supported by Gordon Brown Robin Cook and Peter Mandelson — Blair lead the party to 3 election victories in 1997 2001 and 2005
core values and ideas of the Labour Party:
Labour can be divided into two parts
1) Old labour (1900 - 1990s)
2) New labour (early 1990s until the present, when the party may well be spitting once again)
Labour is not a Socialist party — it is more accurate to describe old labour as democratic socialism and new Labour as social democracy
core values and ideas of the Labour Party: OLD LABOUR
Critics loosely describe the traditions of the Labour Party and socialism
But this is not entirely accurate, Labour was never a Socialist party — It did not propose a workers state and has never attempted to abolish capitalism
It is better described as a Democratic Socialist party
core values and ideas of the Labour Party: OLD LABOUR
the key value is equality
Unlike Marxists who pursue complete equality in living standards labour used to support redistribution of income to reduce the worst inequalities
A better characterisation of equality for labour is social justice
Labour has also always supported formal equality (equal treatment under the law)
core values and ideas of the Labour Party: OLD LABOUR
Old Labour supporters tend to see society in terms of class conflict
they argue that the interest of the two great classes the working and middle-class cannot be reconciled
so governments must favour the interests of the disadvantaged working-class
core values and ideas of the Labour Party: OLD LABOUR
Recognising that total equality was not feasible labour championed equality of opportunity which is the idea that all should have equal life chances no matter what their family background
core values and ideas of the Labour Party: OLD LABOUR
Collectivism is a general idea shared by socialists of all kinds
It is the concept that many other goals are best achieved collectively rather than individually
It includes such practical applications as the welfare state, trade unionism and the cooperative movement
core values and ideas of the Labour Party: OLD LABOUR
While radical left-wing Socialists support common ownership in general, old Labour saw common ownership mainly in terms of public ownership of major strategic industries run by the state on behalf of people
core values and ideas of the Labour Party: OLD LABOUR
Trade unionism is another key value
Old Labour recognised that workers were weak compared to employers
Support for powerful trade unions was therefore vital in restoring the balance of power between employers and workers
core values and ideas of the Labour Party: OLD LABOUR
Old Labour believed that the central state could play a key role in controlling economic activity and in securing social goals — this may be described as statism
By placing such responsibilities in the hands of the central state it insured equality of treatment for all
core values and ideas of the Labour Party: OLD LABOUR
Welfarism is also important to old Labour
This is the idea associated with collectivism that every member of society should be protected by a welfare state to which all should contribute
policies and actions of the Labour Party: OLD LABOUR
Old Labour had two main periods of power during which it could convert some of its values into practical reforms
These were 1945 to 51 and 1964 to 79
In those periods at various times labour converted values into political action
policies and actions of the Labour Party: OLD LABOUR
The welfare state including the national health service NHS was created in the 1940s
Trade unions were granted wide powers to take industrial action in the interests of their members
Major industries were brought into public ownership (nationalisation) and state control in the interests of the community and the workers in those industries — among the industries nationalised were coal steel shipbuilding rail and energy
Taxes on those with higher incomes were raised in order to pay for welfare and to redistribute income to the poor
Comprehensive education was introduced in the 1960s to improve equality of opportunity
Discrimination against women and ethnic minorities was outlawed in the 1960s and 1970s and equal pay for women was introduced
social democracy v socialism
Social democracy is a political ideology that accepts the basic premise of capitalism while advocating a more equitable distribution of wealth along the lines favoured by all socialists
Socialism is a political ideology advocating greater equality and the redistribution of wealth socialists are suspicious of capitalism and favour greater government intervention in both economic and social policy
origins and development of the Labour Party:
The Labour Party was created in 1900
Although the Independent Labour Party the Fabians and the social Democratic Federation were involved in forming a Labour representation committee in 1900, it is important not to underestimate the role of the trades union Congress TUC
In 1990, 94% of the Labour representation committee’s affiliated membership was from the unions and in the 1990s they still controlled around 80% of the votes at party conferences and provided a similar proportion of the party’s annual income
origins and development of the Labour Party:
The Labour Party was formed to represent the working classes at a time when the franchise had not yet been extended to such groups
The decision to give all men over 21 the vote in 1918 provided the Labour Party with the potential base of support necessary to launch a serious electoral challenge
origins and development of the Labour Party:
The parties origins in the unions and socialist societies of the late 19th and early 20th centuries meant that it originally pursued an agenda centred on socialism
strands of socialism
Broadly speaking socialism can be subdivided into two distinct strands
Revisionist or reformist socialism which looks to improve capitalism e.g. social democracy
Revolutionary or fundamentalist socialism which aims to abolish capitalism and bring all property into common ownership e.g. Marxist communism
the 1918 constitution
The extension of the franchise to all adult men in 1918 coincided with the adoption of the new Labour Party constitution
Clause 4 of that constitution provided a clear commitment to public ownership of key industries and the redistribution of wealth
Labour factions:
Despite its left-wing origins the party was home to a number of ideological factions by the 1970s
For example the Labour Prime Minister James Callaghan and those on the right of the party took the view that public sector pay demands had to be resisted
Whereas those on the left such as Michael foot and Tony Benn still favoured greater wealth redistribution
Labour factions:
Labour’s defeat in the 1979 general election in the wake of the period of industrial unrest known as the winter of discontent saw those on the left gain control of the party under the leadership of Michael foot
He led labour into the 1983 general election with one of the most left-wing manifestoes in the parties history
It included commitments to state control of all major industries tighter regulation of business enhanced workers rights support for unilateral nuclear disarmament and withdrawal from NATO
At the time it was dubbed “the longest suicide note in history” by the Labour MP Gerald Kaufman And the manifesto was seen as a key factor in the Conservative party’s landslide victory
Indeed the manifesto was so left-wing in its approach that the Conservatives ran an advertisement in the daily Mirror newspaper carrying the tagline “Like your manifesto, Comrade”, drawing parallels between key clauses in labours programme and the provisions of the Communist manifesto
