UK Political Parties Flashcards
What are some of the policies and beliefs of the Conservative Party?
. Lower taxes
. Privatisation
. Support for private enterprise
. Brexit/patriotism
. Tradition values e.g families, education, voting age etc
. One-nation conservatism
What is one-nation conservatism?
The focus on the duty of those in power to use this wisely and unite the nation in terms of moderate social reforms and patriotism. It embraces the state protecting the vulnerable through public services without penalising the rich via high income tax rates or the redistribution of wealth.
. ‘The palace is not safe if the cottage is not happy’ - Disraeli
. ‘Members of our new one-nation government, a people’s government’ - Johnson 2019 victory speech
What are some of the policies and beliefs of the Labour Party?
. Worker’s rights
. Nationalisation
. Public services
. Social welfare
. Globalist internationalism
What change did Blair make to the Labour Party in 1995?
He abolished 1918’s Clause 4 which was a commitment to large scale nationalisation and reflected classic socialist goals, using the language of Karl Marx. Blair did this to modernise the party as previously, Labour’s voters were members of the working class, however due to industrial changes, improvements in education and class dealignment, the working class was rapidly declining. Blair also did it in order to lead the party into success after Labour’s losses in the 1983, 1987 and 1992 general elections - elections are won in the centre.
What shift did the Conservatives make post the 1945 Labour landslide?
The Conservatives shifted more to the centre and accepted the bulk of Labour’s social reforms. This was called Butskellite conservatism which described the consensus between Labour and the Conservatives until the 1970s.
What shift occured in the Labour Party after 2010?
They became too left wing for their voters, causing a disconnect. Corbyn became the leader in 2015 and he was unpopular because of his extreme left wing views, his problematic and possibly anti-semitic friends and due to his meetings with members of the IRA, also during the 2019 general election campaign, his deputy leader resigned.
What are the policies and beliefs of the Liberal Democrats?
. Pro EU, anti-Brexit
. Civil liberties e.g 2019 pledge to defend the 1998 Human Rights Act
. Federalism
.Political reform e.g abolishing FPTP
How does the Conservative Party choose their leader?
Conservative MPs pledge their support to candidates and then vote in ballots to narrow down the candidates to two choices. This is then followed by an election carried out by party members where they make the final decision, choosing their leader. For example in 2019, Boris Johnson won ⅔ of the vote, leaving Jeremy Hunt with ⅓ . In 2024, Kemi Badenoch defeated Robert Jenrick to replace Sunak as the Conservative leader, with 56% of the vote
How does the Labour Party choose their leader?
MPs that want to be a candidate have to secure at least 10% of fellow MPs’ support. They must also receive backing from 5% of constituency parties or three affiliates, two of which must be trade unions. Party members as well as registered supporters vote using the alternative vote system to choose their leader. If a candidate wins over 50% on first preference votes no transfers are needed, as seen in 2020 with Keir Starmer. This process creates a balance between the involvement of Labour’s affiliated unions, their party MPs and grassroots members.
How do the Lib Dems choose their leader?
Their first stage is one where the candidates must win the support from 10% of their fellow Lib Dem MPs and be backed by at least 200 members from over 20 local parties. The party members then vote using the alternative vote system to elect their leader e. g in 2020 Ed Davey won the race and received 63.5% of the vote from party members, meaning only one round was necessary.
Where do political parties get their money?
. Short money for the opposition to support their parliamentary activities - not for funding election campaigns.
. Trade Unions (Labour)
. Big businesses (Conservatives)
. Membership fees and donations
