the liberal democrats

Question 1

lib dem established when?

Answer 1

1988

Question 2

who was William Ewart Gladstone and what did he do?

Answer 2

• the first leader of the Liberal party - had 4 periods of office as Liber PM- helping the Lib. democrats become a dominant force in British politics
• advocating not only free trade but lower taxes, balanced budgets, parliamentary and administrative reform and a more moral approach to foreign policy

Question 3

modern liberalism

Answer 3

in addition to accepting the importance of civil liberties, the free market and limited government, modern liberalism also acknowledges that the govt. should play an important role to advancing social justice.

Question 4

what authoritative work influenced modern liberalism and how?

Answer 4

works of T.H.Green, John Hobson and William Beveridge argued that the government must provide adequate welfare provision for the most vulnerable in society

Question 5

What was the 2019 manifesto’s income tax aims?

Answer 5

increase income tax by 1p to fund healthcare with £7 bn

Question 6

stance on brexit and some reasons why ?

Answer 6

• revoke article 50 and hold another referendum before leaving the EU.
• EUROPEANISM;
• lib dem believe that international connections through the economy is important- therefore EU is significant
• protection of the ECHR ensures potection of UK citizens civil liberties
• Nick clegg resisted attempts by Cameron to repeal the ECHR Act as a challenge to parlia. sov.

Question 7

explain their take on constitutional reform and who in the party defends this idea?

Answer 7

through devolution to make UK more democratic and make the govt. more accountable to public
- classic liberals have a strong position on reform of the constitution

Question 8

what did the 2019 manifesto mention about environmental protection?

Answer 8

similar to 2017

generate 40% of electricity from renewables

Question 9

social liberal reform group ?

Answer 9

also known as the modern liberals

• advocate for a regulated market economy and expansion of civil and political rights
• rep the centre left of lib dem
• influence on principle of providing comprehensive welfare for society
• pro EU

Question 10

social liberal figures within lib dem?

Answer 10

Tim Farron and arguably Jo Swinson with more social liberal policies.

Question 11

why is there conflict between Tim Farron and Nick Clegg and their supporters ?

Answer 11

Tim farron - social liberal - emphasis on social justice
Nick clegg- not wholly an orange book liberal but does support a neo-liberal approach to economy
+ Clegg’s willingness to join coalition with cons (who lib dems considered to be a bigger threat than labour) 2010-2015 , gaining 5 seats, frustrated many on social democratic wing of lib dem

Question 12

what proved that Nick Clegg was not as classic liberal (orange book liberal) as people thought he was?

Answer 12

2010 manifesto included;

• free tuition fees for undergraduates from 2016 onwards
• pledge to free 3.6 million pensioners and low income earners from income tax

Question 13

why is the lib dem back to it’s social liberal/ social democratic traditions?

Answer 13

2015, 2017 and 2019 manifesto all included an extended welfare state and were all pro-EU , in favour of increasing
tax on high earners.

Question 14

give one policy that shows that lib dem is back to it’s social liberal values

Answer 14

2019 included ; free childcare

meaning na extra £13 bn a year which means spending would be up by 4x