UK Politics- Political Parties: Labour

Labour Party- Ideology

Internationalism, Social democracy, state intervention in economy, nationalization, welfare state, social justice, equality

What did Blair do to clause IV?

Changed it from encouraging nationalization to supporting privatization, individual economic ventures over collectivism and generating more wealth to put into welfare

What were Labour's main foreign policy stances in the 2019 general election

Stop the sell of arms to Saudi Arabia, keep trident, holding another EU referendum

What were Labour's main welfare policies in the 2019 manifesto

Scrap universal credit, make basic dentistry free, bring back Education Maintenance Allowance

Labour Faction- Old Labour

Ideologically dogmatic, universal welfare, redistribution of wealth, nationalisation, state economic intervention

Labour Faction- New Labour

Pragmatic, targeted welfare, low taxation, mixed economy, triangulation, equality of opportunity

Evidence of Labour supporting tax hikes

2019 manifesto included a tax rise for those earning under 80k

What is democratic socialism?

Capitalism is inherently exploitative and must be abolished, public ownership

What is social democracy?

The belief that capitalism can be worked within to produce a more equal society without dismantling the system as we know it, mixed economy

What was New Labour's attitude toward constitutional reform?

They promised to and carried out a lot of reforms (removing hereditary peers 1999, new supreme court, devolution)

Split within Labour party on Israeli-Gaza Conflict?

Almost 1/4 of Labour MPs have defied party lines on the topic with 48 Labour MPs supporting ceasefire while Starmer only supports a reduction of the violence and more strong on support for Israel— Big names like Sadiq Khan support this

Labour being socially conservative: (Trans Self-ID)

Starmer dropped his 2021 pledge that the party would allow trans individuals to self-identify-- laziness towards lgbt rights and reluctance to genuinely support them

Labour changing its welfare related views: (Tuition)

Starmer rescinds on promises to abolish tuition fees

Which energy related policy being championed by Starmer is socialist in nature?

The policy of Great British Energy which wants a publicly owned UK energy company is lowkey socialist

Labour increasing minimum wage in its 2019 manifesto

Promise to raise minimum wage to £10

Which key industries did Labour promise to nationalise in its 2019 manifesto?

Major energy firms, BT, national grid

Which type of tax is supported by both wings of the Labour party?

Windfall tax

How much windfall tax did Blair levy in stealth tax?

£5000

In 2002, how did Blair increase stealth tax?

By increasing National Insurance contributions for employee and employer

Why did Labour want to stop the sell of arms to Saudi Arabia in 2019?

Because of human rights violations towards Shia Muslims in Saudi

Which types of students did Labour want to introduce EMA for?

Only the poorest students!! not some sweeping generous welfare policy

What did the big ambitious policies included in the 2019 Labour manifesto say about the party fiscally?

Labour is still a party of reckless spending

How does Labour annually reaffirm its socialist ideals?

The Labour leader speaks at the Fabian Society (Socialist Think Tank)

Around how many major u-turns has Starmer made since he became leadership?

Over 25

Does Labour want to remove universal credit under Starmer?

NO-- they changed this policy to wanting to fundamentally reform it instead

What can explain the many u-turns introduced by Starmer?

Labour is attempting to gain support ahead of the next general election

How many Labour MPs rebelled against Starmer in support of ceasefire in Gaza?

56MPs

Which industries does Starmer still desire to be publicly owned?

He still wants to make Great British Energy ( a publicly owned energy firm) and he wants to renationalise rails

How has Labour's commitment to nationalisation faded under Starmer?

They have u-turned on nationalising key industries-- effectively abandoned this 2019 pledge

How did Starmer reduce the party's alignment with trade unions?

He forbid cabinet ministers to stand on picket lines and even sacked one who did

Which labour related policy did Labour u-turn on under Starmer?

They u-turned on their policy of getting rid of all zero-hour contracts-- they changed this to they will only remove exploitative zero hour contracts

How has Labour shown commitment to workers rights even under Starmer?

They have committed themselves to reversing the Strikes Act which requires a minimum service level and the shadow cabinet condemned the act when it was passed

What is Labour's stance on universal credit under Starmer?

They do NOT want to abolish it, instead they want to fundamentally reform the system

Has Starmer u-turned on EMA?

No-- its still an open door and possibility

Does Labour still want to remove private schools charitable status?

NO-- they instead want to tax them

What was Labour's major u-turn in the area of education?

They u-turned on abolishing tuition fees

How does Labour and the Conservatives differ on immigration?

Labour opposed the Rwanda bill

Which of Truss's policies does Labour plan to leave in place?

They have said they would NOT replace the cap on bankers bonuses

Labour remaining true to its commitment to inheritance tax:

Labour has said that it will reverse any Tory cuts to inheritance tax

How did Labour attempt to distinguish themselves from the Conservatives in the area of foreign policy?

Reeves's speech introducing the concept of 'securonomics'

In which areas of foreign policy are Labour and the Tories united?

United on Ukraine, united on Israel, united on NATO

Which environmental policy did Labour u-turn on?

They u-turned on their £28Bn environmental pledge

What % of local Labour party delegates called for ending the use of FPTP?

80%

How many target seats do the Lib Dems have for 2024?

30 target seats