Political Parties

Explain three key Tory beliefs in the early 19th century.

Defence of property; strong army; moderate economic policies; rejection of reform; defence of monarchy and institutions

Explain three key Whig beliefs in the early 19th century.

Parliamentary reform; defence of parliamentary power over monarchy; religious tolerance; moral causes; some support for revolutions

Why were political parties becoming increasingly distinct in the late 1700s and early 1800s?

Ideological disagreements; fall in patronage; strong political personalities

What weakened the Tory party in the 1820s and 1830s?

Death of Lord Liverpool; split over Catholic emancipation; Great Reform Act

What letter did Robert Peel issue and when?

Tamworth Manifesto 1834

Explain two key ideas in the Tamworth Manifesto.

Accept the Great Reform Act; correct proven abuses but avoid further constitutional reform

Why were the Tories increasingly known as Conservatives after 1834?

Emphasis on conserving institutions

What does the Tamworth Manifesto reveal about changing political parties?

More organised party line; more responsive to electorate

What was the Lichfield House Compact and its purpose?

1835 alliance of Whigs Irish Catholics and radicals to unseat Conservatives

True or false The Lichfield House Compact was the official start of the Liberal Party.

False temporary alliance though Liberal label grew

What was significant about the 1841 election?

Majority government removed by election; Tory majority; start of urban Toryism

Why did the Conservative Party split in 1846?

Division over repeal of the Corn Laws

How and when was the Liberal Party formed?

1859 coalition of Whigs radicals Irish and Peelites

What is Disraeli’s conservatism known as?

One Nation Conservatism or Tory democracy

When did Disraeli outline his new ideas?

1872

What three aims did Disraeli outline at Crystal Palace?

Maintain institutions; support Empire; social reform

What was the aim of Disraeli’s ideas?

Appeal to wider electorate

Give three features of Gladstonian liberalism.

Institutional reform; retrenchment; laissez faire; anti imperialism; individual freedom

Give two examples of Gladstone improving institutions.

1870 Education Act; civil service and army reform

When did the Liberal Party split?

1886

Why did the Liberal Party split?

Opposition to Home Rule

Who left the Liberal Party and what did they form?

Chamberlain radicals and Whigs formed Liberal Unionists

What change in the Great Reform Act improved party organisation?

Voter registration requirement

What was the Carlton Club and its focus?

1832 Conservative social club

What was the Reform Club and its focus?

1836 Whig club and Liberal headquarters

What changes did Bonham make after 1832?

Local associations; links to national body; registration societies

Why did growing electorate improve party organisation?

Needed to mobilise voters and could not rely on bribery

What were parties doing after 1867 to win members?

Social clubs and paid agents

Who reorganised the Conservatives after 1867?

John Gorst

Give three changes Gorst made.

NUCCA; Conservative Central Office; social clubs

What did Chamberlain create in Birmingham?

Birmingham Caucus to organise tactical voting

What Liberal body emulated it?

National Liberal Federation promoting radical ideas

Why did parties become more responsive to public opinion?

Growth of newspapers

What impact did newspapers have?

Reflected opinion; shaped image; spread party message

Give two laws reinforcing two party system.

Secret Ballot Act; Corrupt Practices Act

What were voters prioritising?

Party policy over individual

Why was it harder to operate outside parties?

Funding; organisation; entrenched ideology; party line voting

Give five factors for Conservative success late 1800s.

Organisation; ideology; Liberal split; Salisbury leadership; Liberal Unionists; redistribution; fear of radicalism

Why did Conservatives do badly in 1906?

Split over tariffs

Explain two reasons for New Liberalism.

Fear of socialism; national efficiency concerns; welfare funding needs

How was New Liberalism different?

More state intervention; focus on social welfare; positive freedom

Give two Liberal reforms before WW1.

Pensions; National Insurance; Free School Meals; Labour Exchanges

What year was Liberal landslide?

1906

When were first working class MPs elected?

1874

What were Lib Lab MPs?

Working class MPs supported by Liberals

When were first working class MPs elected without Liberal support?

1892

What was founded in 1893?

Independent Labour Party

When was LRC founded and why important?

1900 united trade union political voice

What was Labour’s political approach?

Reformist gradualism within parliamentary system

When was LRC renamed?

1906 Labour Party

Why did Labour grow in 1906?

Taff Vale backlash; Lib Lab Pact

Give two stats for Labour growth.

1918 22 percent vote; 1922 142 seats; 1923 minority government

When did Labour first govern and who was PM?

1924 Ramsay MacDonald

Give four reasons for Labour rise.

Liberal crises; WW1 splits; working class enfranchisement; strong organisation