The Labour Party

What is Marxism?

A radical form of socialism, that calls for the destruction of capitalism and the political system that has supported it.

Has Marxism influenced British Labour?

No, have vastly different ideologies.

The ideology of “Old Labour”

1. Redistribution of Wealth

2. Equality

3. Nationalisation

4. Supported the parliamentary route to socialism.

Redistribution of wealth - explanation

Many are deprived through no fault of their own, and many are wealthy due to inheritance not their own work.

A strong case to redistribute some wealth from rich to poor.

Equality - explanation

People deserve equal or fair treatment from the state and one another. British socialism evolved as a protest against poor working conditions, which were based upon the exploitation and inequality in our class system.

Nationalism - explanation

It wanted to take the economy and major public services into state control,

Supported the parliamentary route to socialism - explanation

Recognised the achievement of socialism would be a slow process - didn’t support revolution, rather evolution.

This distanced the early labour party from the Communist Party of Great Britain.

British socialst vs Marxist view on class

Marxism: natural conflict between middle + working classes, interest of these must be reconciled.

British: Society should be reorganised to further the interests of the working classes against capitalist forces.

British Socialist vs marxist view on equality

Socialist: Shouldn’t be a huge difference in living standards, some inequality required to create incentives.

Marxist: Absolute equality needed, all should enjoy the same rewards, regardless of job or status.

British Socialist vs marxist view on Social Justice

Socialism: Full scale inequality is neither practical or desirable, but some inequalities are excessive.

Marxism: Justice is impossible in capitalism, as worker suffers from alienation due to meaningless work and all products of labour is taken away by managers

Collectivism: Marxism vs British Socialism

Socialism: accept some degree of free market capitalism and promote collectivism alongside individualism.

Marxism: Centralised state should be the vehicle for collective action by organising production and distribution.

Common ownership: Marxism vs British Socialism

Socialism: Several major industries nationalised, but most industries remained in the private sector

Marxism: Means of production should be held in common with free access to output produced. In capitalism, workers don’t keep what they produce.

History of the labour party

- Set up at the beginning of the 20th Century to fight for the rights of working people.

- In 1990s, it transformed itself into ‘New Labour’, a party which seeks to appeal to all classes with radical centre-left policies.

What was New Labou?

It was the modernisation of the party and, above all, abandoning left wing ideology and instead developing more centrist policies.

Why was Blair effective at revolutionising labour?

Created a positive perception in the media, as he was charismatic and friendly to interviews.

Changed the logo to a more sleek looking rose, emphasising how this party had changed and now was trustworthy.

How did Clause IV of the labour party’s manifesto change in 1995?

Blair convinced party to change it from its original 1923 form, which emphasises nationalisation, common ownership and anti-capitalist ideals, to a more moderate version, which instead emphasises ‘common endeavour’.

What impact did this change of clause have on New Labour’s succcess?

Largely symbolic, as people likely do not care or understand party constitutions.

However, Blair wanted big business on his side, so needed to portray a more pro corporation standpoint

How did new labour perform while in power?

Labour won the largest majority of any labour government in 1997, gaining 419 MPS.

Lost just 6 seats in the 2001 election, losing another 20 seats in the 2005 election.

In 2007, Blair stepped down and was replaced by Gordon Brown.

What alternatvie ideological standpoint did New Labour hold?

The Third Way

The Third Way - definition

The idea of an alternative to both ‘top down’ Keynesian social democracy and the free-market policies of Thatcherism.

What were two major policies/ideas that the Third Way promoted?

Welfare to work schemes

Communitarianism

Welfare to work - definition

Welfare programmes that boost employability and skills, providing incentives for people to work

Communitarianism - definition

The belief that people are happier and more secure if they live within communities that have clear values and strong culture.

Third Way’s attitude to capitalism

Should be allowed to flourish but state should enforce competition and fair tride

Third Way’s industrial relations

Limited role for trade unions, rights should be protected by law instead

Third Way’s views on a welfare state

Benefits should be used as an incentive to work

Third Way’s economic management

Public sector borrowing acceptable if invested in public services

Third Way’s view on law and order

Tough on crime, tough on causes of crime

Third Way’s view on EU

Uk remain at the centre of EU, but retaining its independence

Third Way’s view on foreign policy

UK to take a leading role in world affairs - ethical policy

Third Way’s outlook on the constitution

Less radical reform, concentrating on decentralisation.

Starmer’s approach - class work and economy

Class: championing of the working class, trying to gain their trust

Work: emphasising the dignity of work and the importance of vocational education

Economy: mustn’t leave markets to their own devices have to stabilise and shape them

Differences between new labour and starmerism

Blair wanted to make everyone middle class, starmer wants to increase working class pride

Blair portrayed working class as outdated, starmer is embracing them

Starmer views the state as an agent to shape markets, whereas the Third Way emphasises small government