Theme 2 - Changes in political parties Flashcards
How did the ideology of the parties develop 1780-1832
-what divide formed?
- two party system - mainly ideological
- prior, there was little to distinguish between Whigs and Tories (pejorative nicknames)
How did the ideology of the parties develop 1780-1832
- Tories
- preserve status quo i.e. powers of the monarch and Anglican church
- oppose reform
- strong on law and order (e.g. repression of radicals)
- protection of property
- Tories become more moderate in 1820s
How did the ideology of the parties develop 1780-1832
-Whigs
- more open to reform
- reduce Crown patronage
- tolerant of non-Anglicans
- abolish slavery
How did the appeal of the parties develop 1780-1832
- Tories - Anglicans and agricultural interests
- Whigs - bankers, merchants, non-conformists and supporters of reform
What were the causes of changes with the Tories & Whigs 1780-1830
- Leadership - Pitt (Tories) from 1783 and Fox (Whigs) influenced this significantly
- Tories dominated government in this period - Electoral Fortunes
- French & American Revolutions, provokes different reactions
Was 1780-1832 a key turning point in the development of the parties
Between 1830-46 ideological divides …..
deepened
How did the organisation of the parties develop 1830-46
Tories - what job do they create?
- Conservatives react first to changes by:
- Arranging professional electoral agents in key areas
- Job = monitor electoral roll, organise meetings, distribute handbills etc.
How did the organisation of the parties develop 1830-46
Tories - what do they create on a local scale?
- Local conservative associations set-up
- Carlton Club in London - raise money, find + support candidates, ensure turnout
- Set up ‘registration societies’
How did the organisation of the parties develop 1830-46
Whig
- Whig Reform Club forms,
- initially to develop policy
- but after 1841 to improve local organisation, promote voter registration and supporting electoral candidates
How did the ideology of the parties develop (& deepen) 1830-46
-Tories
- Tories divide moderates v ultras
- Tories become the Conservatives
- accept moderate reform e.g 1832 as a one-off —>Tamworth Manifesto
How did the ideology of the parties develop (& deepen) 1830-46
-Whigs - allegiance?
- Lichfield House Compact (1835) —> Whigs form an agreement to work with Irish and Radical MPs (long term origin of the Liberal party - this name is used sometimes after 1835 but ideological basis of Liberalism has not yet been established.)
How did the ideology of the parties develop (& deepen) 1830-46
-Whigs - what do they embrace?
- Whigs embrace more social policies - slavery, working conditions, education, poverty, local administrative reform
How did the appeal of the parties develop 1830-46
-counties
Conservatives dominate county (rural) seats
How did the appeal of the parties develop 1830-46
-boroughs
- Boroughs (urban) are more contested - Whigs, Radicals, Tories
- 1841 victory + appeal of moderate policies to urban voters is forerunner for urban Toryism at the end of the century
List some of the policy changes which took place causing change in the parties between 1830-46
- Catholic Emancipation
- 1832 Reform Act & subsequent Whig Reforms
- Corn Law repeal but also religion and Ireland again - divisions begin over funding for Maynooth (Catholic priest seminary in Ireland)
- Irish coercion bill
How did the appeal of the parties develop 1830-46
-what signficant policy occurred in 1846
- 1846 - Corn Law repeal and split between Peelites (inc Gladstone) and protectionists (Disraeli, Bentinck) leads to 20 year wilderness
What effect did Catholic Emancipation have 1830-46
- Tories split over religious policies
What effect did Whig Reforms & 1832 have 1830-46
- different views of reform and need to appeal to new voters
What effect did the corn laws have 1830-46
- Stemming from Irish Potato Famine
Corn Law repeal but also religion and Ireland again - divisions begin over funding for Maynooth (Catholic priest seminary in Ireland) - Peel’s ministry falls after defeat over Irish coercion bill
What clubs were made & by who? 1830-46
- Municipal Corporations –> Francis Bonham (Carlton Club) Joseph Parkes (Reform Club)
How does Carlton & Reform club cause change in the parties 1830-46
- Francis Bonham (Carlton Club) Joseph Parkes (Reform Club) —> growth of local politics due to the Municipal Corporations Act (1835)
What are the causes of change in the parties between 1830-46
- Local Whigs developments with…
- non-conformists - active in local politics especially in the Midland and northern towns.
- Conservative clubs become associated with brewers and drinkers (non-conformists are anti-drink
What are the causes of change in the parties between 1830-46
- Who did conservative clubs become associated with
- Conservative clubs become associated with brewers and drinkers (non-conformists are anti-drink
What are the causes of change in the parties between 1830-46
- electoral fortunes in politics
- Peel’s 100 day ministry in 1835 - leads shift from Tories to Conservatives,
- entirely responsible for Tamworth Manifesto (his constituency), and then leads split over the Corn Laws. Disraeli too
- & Lichfield House Compact
- 1841 election prompts Whigs to follow Conservative organisational developments
Was 1780-1832 a key turning point in the development of the parties
Ideology
What party developed between 1846-86
- Liberal Party out of the coalition of Whigs, Peelites, radicals and Irish MPs (1859 Willis Rooms)
- Ideology grows after 1865 under Gladstone, initially as Chancellor (I)
Ideology
What were the developments in liberal ideology 1946-86
- (I) Retrenchment - free trade, low tax, low spend - peaceful foreign policy
- (II) State modernisation - army, civil service, local Government Board.
- (III) Equality - religious discrimination removed
- (IV) Social Reform - education, health, local poor relief etc, labour laws, licensing
- (V) Political reform - secret ballot, 1883,4,5 Acts.
- And increasingly (VI) Ireland
Ideology
What were the developments in liberal ideology 1846-86
- (I) Retrenchment - free trade, low tax, low spend - peaceful foreign policy
- (II) State modernisation - army, civil service, local Government Board.
- (III) Equality - religious discrimination removed
- (IV) Social Reform - education, health, local poor relief etc, labour laws, licensing
- (V) Political reform - secret ballot, 1883,4,5 Acts.
- And increasingly (VI) Ireland
Who led the modernisation of the Tory Party
Disraeli
What were Disraeli’s key aspects of the Modernisation of the Tory Party 1846-86
- Tory Democracy
- includes Social Reform (housing, health, working conditions, education),
- whilst continuing to defend the Anglican Church
- Still divisions over free trade or protection
- Interventionist foreign policy
Why did Disraeli modernise the Tory party
- Initially over the 1867 Reform Act
- & then with a deliberate broadening of the appeal of the party to embrace the new electorate
How did the appeal of the parties develop 1846-86
-liberals
- Liberals have a broad coalition but problems with conflicting interests and the need to keep them all happy
- Liberals strength is still in the boroughs (with some Whig influence in rural areas)
How did the appeal of the parties develop 1846-86
-conservatives
- appeal to working class and urban voters increases, also brewers
What was established in 1883 under Tory organisation
- the Primrose League
Describe the primrose League
Primrose League was created to promote the party and support aspiring MPs
Membership depended on subscription i.e. middle class and activities included campaigning (delivering leaflets etc).
Key significance = involving women on an equal basis to men
Primrose League membership: under ……. in 1884, over ………… by 1891 and ……….. by 1910.
Primrose League membership: under 1000 in 1884, over 1million by 1891 and 2 million by 1910.
Organisation
Conservatives lead the way in this after 18… Reform Act and defeat in the 18… election.
1867 & 1868
Tory Organisation was …-down
top-down
Top-down conservative organisation begins with ……….(1867) and a ………… (1870).
Top-down i.e. begins with setting-up of a Conservative National Union (NUCCA, 1867) and a Central Office in London (1870).
What did someone set up which was key to Tory organisation 1846-86
- First National Party agent appointed (Gorst)
What did Gorst setting up the first National Party agent do
- increases number of local associations, especially in urban / industrial areas and attempts to appeal to new voters
- National coordination and meetings
- Becomes an important campaigning advantage
- Locally lots of social activities at a low cost (possibly a strength - because supporters could be mobilised but didn’t want a say)
Liberal organisation strategy was …….
bottom up
Liberal organisation strategy was ……. from …
bottom up, 1874
What organisational change did liberals make
- local Liberal Associations (caucuses)- aim to attract and retain working and middle class support
- Lots of social activities like Conservatives, and support Liberal representatives (general elections and local ones - Corporations and Poor Law / health / school boards etc.
- These develop via the National Liberal Federation (NLF)
1846-86 change was very linked to ……….. & …………..
electoral fortunes & political reforms
How did the adullamites lead change
- Adullamites in 1867
- Need to please non-conformists
- 1874 election saw Gladstone ‘borne down in a torrent of gin and beer
- Problem of Irish Home Rulers especially after Secret Ballot Act which was passed to appease the radicals e.g Bright
How was reform a key impact on change 1846-86
- Franchise extensions / redistribution - manage registration and ensure turnout of eligible voters
- Anti-corruption measures - required more professional local agents to do accounts and ensure rules were adhered to (monitor spending and electoral procedures including counts, + more volunteers to work that had previously been paid for
Who was Sir John Ghorst
- Sir John Gorst - key figure in first Central Office and very successful
- Contract ended in 1875 and was allowed to leave, but organisation quickly deteriorated which was seen as a key factor in the Conservatives 1880 defeat and Gorst was recalled to the role
- Big advantage for Conservatives system after 1885 because central not local power
How did Joesph Chamberlain lead liberal change
- pioneer of local Liberal Party organisation in Birmingham
- focused on tracking and advising voters to maximise Liberal success.
- 1867 Disraeli had introduced 2 votes per person for Boroughs with 3 MPs to try to guarantee Conservative seats, but Chamberlain’s system voters were guided and 3 Liberals elected)
- this model was taken up by other local associations
Name 3 key figures which led conservative party change 1846-86
Gladstone (perhaps link to death of Palmerston, and retirement of Russell)
Disraeli (with Derby support)
Salisbury (despite opposition to Disraeli)
Was 1780-1832 a key turning point in the development of the parties
organisation of the parties 1886-1928
-1918 made parties realise they would need…
- a mass membership to respond to mass electorate
organisation of the conservatives 1886-1928
-how was the strength maintained?
- local clubs & using women
organisation of the liberals 1886-1928
-did they maintain this?
- less so
- middle-class support had increasingly drifted to the cnservative party, whilst labour also attracted others
How did the ideology of the parties develop 1886-1928
- start: liberal division v con unity
- split over home rule - unionists leave liberals for conservatives
- new liberalism after 1900 whilst conservatve split over tarriff reform
How did the ideology of the liberals develop 1886-1900
- Liberal division compared with Conservative unity - links to electoral fortunes too
- Gladstone’s failure over Home Rule and the Liberal defeat in 1886 led to a split in the party with the unionists
- (i.e. opposed to Home Rule for Ireland - Whigs and some radicals, 78 of them in 1886) leaving to join the Conservatives.
How did the ideology of the liberals develop 1900-1928
- Into 1900s Conservative divisions re-emerge (Tariff Reform - i.e. protectionism again) and Liberals begin to reunite against it.
- New Liberalism - social reform / welfare (children, unemployed, workers, retired).
How did the ideology of the parties develop during/ post war (1886-1928)
- Coalition during the war followed by Liberal decline and Labour growth.
- 1922 was the last time in which a member of the Liberal party held government office.
How did the appeal of the conservatives develop 1886-1928
- Salisbury’s intervention of 1885 act helps create Villa Toryism (suburban voters)
- this improved conservative electoral fortunes
List the individuals that caused change in the parties 1886-1928
- Gladstone, (v Chamberlain Radical / Unionist and Hartington representing the Whigs.)
- Chamberlain (again) role in Conservative split too - he proposes the tariff reform (and imperial preference)
List the big events that caused change in the parties 1886-1928
- Crises - House of Lords, Ireland, World War Also - suffragettes, Trades Unions
- 1906 election - turning point? Liberals win because of campaign (largely negative i.e. against tariff reform) and organisation.
- Parliament Act, 1918 Reform Act (+ 1911 payment of MPs), and 1928
Long term impact = decline of Liberals? - The result of single-member constituencies because the Liberals could no longer run a Liberal / Radical in tandem and take both seats)
Was 1780-1832 a key turning point in the development of the parties
How did the appeal of the labour party develop 1893 onwards
- partly class-based
- fabians, trade unions, co-operatives
- covering a spectrum of opinions
How did the ideology of the labour party develop 1893 onwards
-explain the origins
- Ideological origins before 1893 (Marx etc and then 1880s creation of Fabians and Social Democratic Foundation).
How did the ideology of the labour party develop 1893 onwards
-what is initial growth based on
- partly based on the desire to improve representation of working class - i.e. more MPs from working class backgrounds (connected to the view that Liberals were not keen to extent working class representation).
How did the ideology of the labour party develop 1893 onwards
-how is broad appeal ensured
- Keir Hardie and other key figures avoid references to ‘socialism’ to ensure broad appeal
Was 1780-1832 a key turning point in the development of the parties
How did the organisation of the labour party develop 1893
- crucial to the growth of Labour -
- funding from the Trades Unions was needed for candidates especially until 1918 (to provide salaries for those elected) & costs of elections continued to need support from TUs after then.
- Lib-Lab pact (1903) important in launching the party
Causes of changes in the labour party from 1893
-what is the importance of political & social change
- growing franchise, working class majority constituencies, TU power (and attacks on it such as Taff Vale in 1901
- which provoked a reaction which increased support for the Labour movement amongst the working class), improved education etc.
Causes of changes in the labour party from 1893
-why is political & social change not the full story?
- working class interests vary across the country (agriculture, different industries, dockers etc)
- and Labour’s growth does not entirely correlate with growth in franchise or union power
Causes of changes in the labour party from 1893
-electoral fortunes
- weakness of the Liberals starting in the 1890s can be seen as a key turning point –>
- previously they had offered a route for representing / delivering the policies that Labour pursued
Causes of changes in the labour party from 1893
-1906 election
- 1906 election again - LRC/ILP join and become Labour Party + may have been wiped out had it not been for the Lib-Lab pact.
Causes of changes in the labour party from 1893
-1918
- 1918 was key - franchise extension and 1911 payment of MPs (not so dependent on unions)
Causes of changes in the labour party from 1893
-WW1
WW1 also a possible turning point- accelerated change.
