Paper 1: Labour Party

Old Labour

Founded 1900 by group of socialist societies and trade unions, party to represent working class interests. 1945 strong majority labour Attlee nationalise coal, rail and power whilst introducing NHS. Post war more social democrat then socialist as managed capitalism whilst redistributing wealth. 1980s lost popularity as became more hardline for further nationalisation, increase taxes and withdraw from European economic community

New Labour

1990s, broaden appeal. TB key leader for transition from 1992 as part of his particularly effective campaigning to create wider appeal by dropping nationalisation, links to businesses and pro europe. Developed “third way” and managed media media. Blair won three elections before stepping down for Gordan Brown.

Post crash labour

Brown oversaw financial crisis by crash 2008-9, the gov pumped money into nationalised banks and broke promises by raising income tax to boost economic activity. Brown wanted to maintain public spending, argued drastic cuts would starve economy of resources and prolong downturn. Then opposition between miliband and ed balls. From 2017 Jeremy corbyn leader but he was more old labour, following antisemitism with party and not expressing eu views lost in 2019. Starmer went back to centrism.

Key ideologies

Economic:Since 1990s Labour advocated for “responsible public spending, mindful of tax raises

Welfare: Responsible spending but not austerity

Law and order: Neighborhood community based policing

Foreign policy: Typically against but Starmer gov has accepted this outcome.

Key case studies

Social media ban “Australia plus,” scrap hereditary peers right The House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026, income tax threshold frozen extended in 2025 to 2031. 2 child ben cap and PIP reforms dropped.