2.2 Established Parties (UK Politics)

What are the origins and trends of the Conservative Party?

• Began in the 1830s

• Economy - Low tax, deregulation

• Law + Oder - Tough sentencing

• Welfare - Reduced dependency

• Foreign policy - strong defence

What are the origins and trends of the Labour Party?

• Founded in 1900

• Origins in Trade Union movement

• Economy - redistribution and growth

• Welfare - strong state role

• Law and order - historically softer, but hardened under Blair

• Foreign policy - Interventionist under Blair

What are the origins and trends of the Lib Dems?

• Formed in 1988

• Key turning point = tuition fees up £9,000 a year in coalition

• Pro-EU

• Electoral reform

• Civil liberties

What are some stats on Conservative Party policy trends?

• Under Thatcher, corporation tax goes from 52% to 35%

• Police numbers fell by 20,000 officers 2010-19 (odd)

• Universal Credit combined 6 benefits into 1

• 51.9% vote leave in Brexit referendum

What are some stats on Labour Party policy trends?

• 20% of economy under state ownership under Attlee

• Police numbers increased by 30,000 under Blair

• Child poverty fell by 1m under Blair and Brown

• Iraq War in 2003

What are some stats on Lib Dem policy trends?

• Deficit reduced to 2% of GDP by 2015

• Pro-EU