UK Politics- Political Parties: The Conservatives

Conservative Ideology-

Conservativism, Eurosceptisicm, free market economy, privatization/free enterprise, limited welfare

What is the Conservative party's stances on global politics currently?

Support and aid for Ukraine, support for Israel-- the entire party votes against the SNP's amendment calling for immediate ceasefire

Which foreign policy stances did the Conservatives commit to in the 2019 general election?

Keep trident, Brexit by Jan 2020 (deal or no deal)

Which welfare system did the Conservatives commit to in their 2019 manifesto?

Continuation of universal credit

How did Johnson exhibit One Nation Conservatism through his welfare policies during Covid-19?

He introduced a furlough scheme which paid 80% of wages and the weekly allowance from universal credit was increased by £20 per week

Which policies were key to Trussonomics?

Scrapping the additional 45p tax rate for those earning over £150,000, removing the cap on bankers bonuses

Which policies in the 2019 Conservative manifesto showed a commitment to low taxation?

2019 manifesto announces no rises to VAT, national insurance or income tax

Conservative Faction- New Right

Ideologically dogmatic, neo-liberalism, neo-conservatism

Conservative Faction- One Nation

Pragmatic, organic society, paternalism, welfare state, state economic intervention

Neo-Liberalism

The government should not intervene economically

Neo-Conservatism

The government should set strict social laws to promote order

What does organic society mean?

The different sections of society have different functions, but they operate together like an organism

By how much was standard Universal Credit allowance increased by the Conservatives during Covid-19?

It was increased by £20 a week

How did Hunt reduce the 45p tax threshold and directly reverse Truss' economic policy?

He reduced the threshold for 45p tax rate from £150,000 to £125,000

When was the two-child welfare limit introduced for universal credit?

In 2017 under May

How did Sunak limit trans rights?

He announced plans to stop child gender-affirming surgery

By how much did Johnson intend to increase taxation to fund the NHS/social care?

He introduced (unsuccessfully) a scheme which would increase tax by £12Bn a year for the NHS

Who did Rishi Sunak sack for calling for permanent ceasefire in Gaza?

Government aide Paul Bristow was sacked-- shows that support for ceasefire is very tenuous

Which of Labour's economic/tax-related demands did the Conservatives concede to in 2022?

They introduced a windfall tax on oil and gas companies and then recently extended its duration to 2029

How did Sunak attempt to reduce benefits?

He has announced plans to reduce sickness benefits

What changes were made to taxation in the Conservatives 2024 Spring Budget?

National Insurance contributions cut by 2p, NI and income tax thresholds are frozen-- intends to cut taxes through fiscal drag-- tax cuts before an election

How much did the Conservatives put toward Green energy in the 2024 Spring Budget?

£120million-- Similar to Starmer's green policy

What did the Tories do to non-dom tax status in the 2024 Spring Budget?

They abolished and replaced it to reduce tax breaks-- this is a policy which Labour pushed them to introduce through criticising the wealth of Sunak and his wife

How did the 2024 Spring Budget reduce taxes for small businesses?

They increased the threshold for small businesses to pay VAT to £90k

In their 2019 manifesto, how many more nurses did the Conservatives promise to bring into the NHS?

50,000 more

How did the Conservatives facilitate wage increase?

They increased the New Living Wage