The Liberal Democrats (PP 2.2c) Flashcards
When were the Liberal Democrats formed, and what two parties were merged to form it?
The Liberal Democrats were formed in 1988
Merger of two existing parties
> Long-standing Liberal Party (200+ years in UK Politics)
> Social Democratic Party (SDP), which had split from the Labour Party in 1981.
When was the Liberal Party established, and why?
- Roots back to the 17th century
- Emerged out of the English Civil War, favouring fewer powers for the monarch, and more for Parliament.
When did the Liberal Party properly begin to emerge, and what did they stand for?
- Liberal Party emerged in the mid-19th century
> Supported free trade, rights, toleration of religious choice and democracy (ideology of classical liberalism)
What happened through the latter half of the nineteenth century, in terms of class and franchise?
Working class grew in size, and the gradual extension of the franchise this class became a significant part of the electorate.
In what two ways did the growth of the working class and extension of franchise impact the Liberal Party?
- Developed policy which aligned with working class voters
> Restrictions on the working day and early development of the welfare state (i.e. pensions) - Rise of the Labour Party
> Lost their working class vote to Labour and their middle-class vote to the Conservatives
> Went from winning as much as 50% in 1900 to less than 10% in 1945. Never recovered since.
As the Liberal Party declined, what form of liberalism grew, and with what key thinkers?
Ideas of modern liberalism grew in their influence.
> Keynes (economist) developed policies to regulate the free market and to stop unemployment
> Beveridge outlined policies of the modern welfare state
What happened to the Liberal Party through the 50s and 60s?
Period of crisis
> Declining electoral support coincided with several splits.
> 1951/1955 = 2.5% of the vote won
> 1960s = usually around six MPs in the HoC
What was the impact of the SDP-Liberal alliance, between 1981 and 1988, in terms of electoral results?
- Took stunning wins against Labour and the Conservatvies
> 1983 = 23 seats, 25% of the vote
> 1987 = 22 seats, 23% of the vote
What type of party was the SDP, and what alliance did it form soon after its establishment?
Centre-left party
> Close in policy and ideas to Old Labour
SDP formed an electoral alliance with the Liberals, the SDP-Liberal Alliance.
> Acted as a single party, not competing against each other in elections, standing on a common programme.
What was the SDP (Social Democratic Party), why was it formed, and when?
- Labour lost the 1979 election to Thatcher
> Pressure from members to push to the left.
> In 1981, 28 Labour MPs split from Labour to join the SDP, including senior party members
What is important to understand about the LibDems, in terms of their ideology?
- Ideology and policy is determined both by liberal ideas, and social democratic ideas.
> Developed into a centre-left social democratic party
Generally, the LibDems can be seen as drawing on both sides of the merger:
What happened to the SDP-Liberal alliance in 1988?
In 1988, both parties agreed that having two separate parties was hindering their progress, and the two parties merged to form the Liberal Democrats.
What do the LibDems generally support, in terms of economic policy, welfare policy, rights, and foreign policy?
- Favoured small tax rises (typically 1% on income tax) to pay for better welfare services.
- Constitutional government and human rights (classical liberal and modern liberal traditions).
- Strongly pro-European.
How did the LibDems do in the 1992, 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2010 elections?
1992 = 18%, 20 seats
1997 = 17%, 46 seats
2001 = 17%, 52 seats
2005 = 22%, 62 seats
2010 = 23%, 57 seats
What happened to the LibDems after the 2010 election result?
LibDems chose to go into coalition with the Conservatives.
> LibDems gave up too much of their policy in their manifesto and allowed the Conservatives to dominate.
What two election promises did the LibDems campaign on, and ultimately allowed the coalition government to not see into fruition?
> Notably had campaigned on not increasing student tuition fees but agreed that the coalition could raise them from £3,000 to £9,000
> Also were in favour of a proportional voting system, but only agreed for a 2011 referendum on AV (which is non-proportional anyway); system attracted very little support.
What happened as a result of the poor Conservative-LibDem coalition in upcoming elections (2015, and 2019)
2015 = 8% vote, 8 seats
> Worst election result since 1970
Had a marginal voice during Brexit; Labour (under Corbyn) had a particularly weak opposition to it.
2019 = 11.5% vote, 11 seats
What happened to the LibDems in 2024, what was their vote share and seats won, and what were the two reasons behind this?
Restoration of the LibDems
> 12% of the vote, 72 seats
- Collapse of the Conservative vote, opening up many seats to the LibDems
- Tactical voting from LibDem/Labour voters (not splitting their vote, unlike Reform/Conservatives)
What was the LibDems 2024 manifesto generally like?
- Leftist manifesto (left of Labour)
> Promised tax increases for improved public services, which Labour did not.
What are the key ideas of classical liberalism?
- Individualism, negative liberty, and rights (freedom of speech, conscience, religion, etc)
- Free-market capitalism and little state-regulation
- Constitutional government
- Consent to be ruled
When did modern liberalism emerge, and what did they generally support?
- Late nineteenth century, dominant form of liberalism in the twentieth century
> Supported existencve of capitalism but wanted regulation; developed ideas of positive freedom (education, healthcare, living standards, job)
What are the key ideas of modern liberalism?
- Social justice, and equality of opportunity
- State regulates capitalism and provides social justice
- Proponents of the modern welfare state
- Liberty
> Only equality of opportunity; the rest is choice and effort; do not believe in equality of outcome
What type of ideas does modern liberalism closely align to?
Modern liberalism has a lot in common with social democratic ideas.
What are key social democratic ideas?
- Moderate social democratics (not very left-wing)
> Supporters of the welfare state, regulation of the economy and education creating equal opportunity.
Overall, what is the ideology of the Liberal Democrats today?
- A mix of modern liberalism and moderate social democratic ideas
What is the proposed “progressive alliance”?
Many in the LibDems and Labour talk about a “progressive alliance” (an electoral pact where the two do not stand against eachother to defeat the Conservatives)
In recent years, what has been the main policy difference within the LibDems?
- More pro-free market right wing
- More socially democratic left-wing
Which side of the LibDems (socially democratic left-wing vs pro-free market right-wing) is currently leading, and why is this?
2010 coalition was headed by the right-wing (failed)
> Since losing ground, many LibDems (including leader Ed Davey) have moved to a more social democratic position since.
> Thus, on the whole, it is the left-wing social democratic/modern liberal ideas that now dominates the LibDems.
What did the 2024 Liberal Democrat manifesto state surrounding economic policy?
- Focused on level of government debt
- Promised more government intervention into the economy, especially for sustainable energy
- Promised to rejoin the EU single market
- Promised to bring in £28 billion in extra taxes (though these would not affect most people)
What did the 2024 Liberal Democrat manifesto state surrounding welfare?
- Remove the “two child cap” on benefits
- Expansion of free care and better pay for care workers
- Promised to increase funding for schools
- Weary on funding the NHS
What did the 2024 Liberal Democrat manifesto state surrounding law and order?
- Emphasised spending on mental health services to reduce crime, and more money on youth services
- Emphasis on “community policing” and rehabilitation (training, employment opportunity) to reduce reoffending
What did the 2024 Liberal Democrat manifesto state surrounding foreign policy?
- Supports the UN, ICC and NATO
- Suggests a “minimal” nuclear capability
- Wants to move Britain into a closer relationship with the EU
In what ways does the 2024 Liberal Democrat manifesto align with classical liberalism?
- Emphasis on individual rights and freedoms
- Use of the free market (i.e. trying to rejoin the EU Single Market)
In what ways does the 2024 Liberal Democrat manifesto align with modern liberalism?
- State intervention to correct market failure and promote social welfare (welfare expansion)
- International cooperation
Does the 2024 Liberal Democrat manifesto align more with classical liberalism or modern liberalism?
Modern liberalism
> Current LibDems support an interventionist state, regulated capitalism, and social justice.
What are the two main factions within the LibDems?
Liberal Reform
The Social Liberal Forum
What is Liberal Reform, why was it established, and what does it stand for?
- More free-market right of the LibDems
- Promotes “Orange book” liberalism
> Classical liberal approach (free-market reforms; however, does not abandon modern liberal support of the welfare system)
> Supported the 2010 coalition, and opposed to the “progressive alliance”
What is the Social Liberal Forum, why was it established, and what does it stand for?
- Liberals on the left of the party
> Favours the “progressive alliance” with Labour/Greens
> Strongly based on the ideas of modern liberalism (stronger and better funded welfare state)
