Political parties: Combined Set

Political spectrum - definition

A device by which different political standpoints can be mapped across one axis or more as a way of demonstrating their ideological position in relation to one another.

Ideology - definition

Acoherent set of belies or values that guide one’s actions.

Mainstream British political parties traditionally subscribe to an ideology

What is the left-right debate

The general divide in ideology in the UK. Labour and greens - left, conservatives and reform/ukip right. Lib dems - centre?

Issues with the left - right idea

Is often overused and oversimplified.

Ignores difference between some of the groups that occupy each wing. Also, overlaps between supposedly polar opposite groups, like communists and fascists.

What is the ideological compass

Introduces a second axis, able to make a distinction between more authoritarian and libertarian approaches.

Authoritarianism - definition

Favours strict obedience to the authority of the state

Libertarianism - definition

Favours civil liberties and rights of the individual over the authority of the state. Society is best served with little government intervention.

What is the primary aim of political parties?

To achieve political office (otherwise they’d simply be pressure groups). However, many do not wish (or hope) to form a government and instead just want representation.

Do members of political parties all share the same ideology?

Yes, but many parties are deeply divided on certain issues, and some have moved away from an ideology to appeal to all voters - catch-all parties,

Single issue parties - definition

Parties that campaign around one issue and have few other policies, or offer many policies from a single ideological standpoint

Consensus vs adversary politics

Consensus - a tendency for major political parties to agree with each other on a number of policies (post war)

Adversarial - staunchly disagree with each other (Thatcher era 1980s)q

Do all parties have a constitutional structure?

Yes all have a system of rules and a leader, but green party place little emphasis on this

Political party - definition

An association of people who share common political beliefs and aspirations.

Parties seek to gain political power in order to further their aims and beliefs.

Types of party

Mainstream - conservative and labour

Nationalist - SNP, BNP, Cornish Party : They often campaign for independence and to nurture the shared identity of an area

Single issue parties - UKIP, greens to an extent

What are the 5 functions of a political party

1. Representation

2. Policy formulation

3. Recruitment of leaders

4. Organisation of government

5. Participation and mobilisation

Representation - explanation

Primary function of parties in liberal democracies by developing policies that appeal to the public and represents their thoughts

Policy formulation - explanation

Parties initiate policy proposals and develop programmes of government to give the electorate a choice of realistic goals

Recruitment of leaders - explanation

Parties recruit and train the political leaders of the future through debates and the opportunity of holding office

Organisation of government - explanation

Provide a source of opposition and criticism of government by providing an alternative party in waiting.

Also give governments a degree of stability and coherence, as government members are drawn mainly from a single party

Participation and mobilisation - explanation

Opportunities for citizens to join political office, shaping party policy and potentially government policy.

Help to educate and mobilise the electorate through campaigns, broadcats, canvassing

Where does the majority of party funding come from?

Party membership subscriptions, donations and fundraising events

Short money - definition

Special state funded provision allowing the opposition to act as an effective check against the government.

This is a relatively small amount of a party’s funding.

What is the salary of an MP?

As of April 2024, £91,346

Also able to claim expenses on travel, accommodation, food etc

Paid by general taxes

How do conservatives traditionally get funding?

Party of “big business”, relying on donations from committed supporters

How do labour traditionally get fuding?

Through trade unions, which played a major role in the setting up of the party

New Labour moved away from this slightly, replacing some trade union funding with private donations

How do liberal democrats get funding?

Least well funded of the 3, often criticise their opponents for being bankrolled by the wealthy

What have been some controversies with party funding?

-Funding from foreign businesses/ individuals, may be trying to interfere with elections, or Brexit eg.

-Cash for honours scandal

-Wealthy buying political influence

What was the cash for honours scandal?

Wealthy individuals who had loaned Labour money seemed to be nominated for peerages in the Lords

Potentially exploiting the law, which regulated outright gifts, but not loans

Blair and aides were questioned by police while he was PM, but no charges brought against him.

What is an example of how the wealthy can buy political influence?

The conservative dining club, which grants access to conservative leaders of increasing importance based upon the amount donated

What was the leaders group?

If an individual donates more than £50,000 a year, they gain access to events with the Prime Minister (Cameron) and other senior officials

So, what’s the issue with private funding of parties?

Gives the rich a louder voice than the poor, and they can influence decision making through events like the Leader’s group. - unfair and undemocratic.

Some may donate in the hope of tax breaks if the conservatives win.

What source does labour get a lot of funding from?

Trade unionsWh

What was the controversy over trade unions and their donations to labour?

They agreed to change the system to an opt -in in 2013. Before this, members of trade unions automatically donated to labour, and had to opt out to stop this, but many were unaware.

Terms of the 2000 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act

• Independent electoral commission set up to supervise party spending on campaigns

• Amount a party could spend per constituency was capped

• Donations over a certain amount had to be declared, and details must be published

• Donations from individuals not on the Uk electoral roll were banned

Rules on party donations

• No limit on amount, but must be from a permissible source: Uk companies and some organisations, people that are on the electoral register

• Must return donations/loans if the origin/sender is unknown.

Origins of the Conservative part (17th Century)

The Tory Party which defended the Crown and Church of England as landowners

Conservative party in 1800s

Under Robert Peel, was evolving into a party dedicated to the defence of property and traditional authority against the threat of revolution.

Emphasised gradual reform to conserve established institutions.

Who created One Nation Conservatism

Derives from the writings and speeches of twice PM Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881)

What was One Nation a response to?

Socialism, class conflict and capitalism, which were all issues developed from the industrial revolution

What does One Nation Conservatism stand for?

members of society should exist together as one nation, emphasising patriotism, monarchism and expansionist foreign policy.

What did Disraeli recognise about working classes?

Their unhappiness threatens the wealthy (revolution), so he aimed to win their votes, not just the aristocracy’s.

What is Thatcherism

The policies and ideals of Margaret Thatcher, the first female PM and the longest running PM of the 20th Century, from 1979-1990.

What are the five main ideas of thatcherism

1. Individualism

2. Free Market

3. Privatisation

4. Minimal State

5. Euroscepticism

Individualism - definition

A belief in the primacy of the individual, implying that people are self interested and largely self-reliant.

Free market - definition

The principle of unrestricted market competition free from government interference

Privatisation - definition

The selling of nationalised industries and other state assets, transferring them from the public to private sector

Minimal state - definition

State that only maintains domestic order, enforces legal agreements and protects against external attack, avoiding a nanny state by leaving other matters in the hands of individuals

Nanny state - definition

When the government involves itself heavily with the running and and regulation of the country, in particular the economy and welfare

Euroscepticism - definition

Opposition to the process of European integration, based on a defence of national sovereignty and national identity; Eurosceptics aren’t necessarily anti-European.

Why did Margaret Thatcher come into power?

People wanted major change, even if they didn’t necessarily support her policies, due to the crumbling state of the UK in 1979.

Winter of discontent - what was it?

There were widespread strikes with 1.5 million unemployed, low economic growth, UK nicknamed the ‘sick man of europe’

What two ideologies is thatcherism a combination of?

Neoliberalism and neoconservatism

Neoliberalism - definition

Supports unregulated capitalism with reduced gov intervention and an opposition to strong trade unions. Belief that it leads to efficiency, growth and widespread prosperity.

Neoconservatism - definition

A form of authoritarian conservatism that calls for a restoration of order, authority and discipline, with patriotism and traditional views emphasised

Who came into power after Thatcher?

John Major was PM and leader of the conservatives from 1990-1997.

The party struggled to develop an identity separate of her, and Major followed the Thatcherite path.

Who were the party leaders when in opposition from 1997-2005?

William Hague (1997-2001), Iain Duncan Smith (2001-2003), Michael Howard (2003-2005).

Were all unsuccessful, losing in the 1997,2001 and 2005 elections. Failed to distance themselves from outdated Thatcherism, whereas Blair ran a platform on modernisation.

Who became leader of the Conservatives in 2005?

David Cameron (2005-2016) - felt the party needed to seize the centre ground of politics, supporter of One Nation Conservatism.

What did Cameron do in his 5 years in opposition (2005-10) (8)

• Tried to end the ‘nasty party’ image - strong supporter of welfare state and NHS

• Wished to reduce inequality

• Showed concern for environment

• Firmness toward MPs expenses

• Criticised labour’s deficit financing

• More media savvy - presented himself as socially liberal and a ‘moderniser’

• Avoided extremism on issues of Europe + Migration

• Need to finance public services before tax cuts

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.

Nationalisation - 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

What are the origins of the Lib Dems?

It dates back to the Whigs, an aristocratic faction originating in the 17th Century as opponents of the tories

In the mid 19th Century they joined with a variety of middle and working class supporters of political and social change to form the Liberal Party

Founded in 1988, as it merged with the Social Democrat Party.

When was the lib dem coalition?

Following the 2010 election, where Clegg’s Lib dems formed a coalition with Cameron’s Conservatives, after winning 52 seats in the election.

Why was the coalition an issue for the lib dems?

- Tuition fees U-turn: Raised them after pledging not to.

- They were involved in austerity measures and cuts to public services.

- In 2015 election, they lost 49 of their 57 seats, leaving them with only 8 MPs, they were punished for their involvement with conservatives.

What happened to the Lib Dems between 2015 and 2020?

Under Tim Farron and Jo Swinson, they fought to rejoin the EU and reverse Brexit, but this was unpopular as the people had voted to leave.

ED Davey and the Lib dems - what did he do, was he successful?

Became the leader of them in 2020 election.

The party focused on social justice, housing and climate action.

They no longer advocated for rejoining EU, but rather pro european policies (not a central issue)

Lib Dems won 72 seats in 2024 election, most ever.

What are their views on rights and power, how do they adhere with classical liberal views?

They strongly support human rights, civil liberties and equality. Adhering to classical liberal values in the emphasis of individual rights.

Also call for decentralisation of power as well as constitutional reform, support liberal views on limited government with checks and balances.

How do Lib Dem’s views on rights and power differ from classical liberal ideology?

They are pro EU, which is broadly against the classical liberal scepticism of overarching political structures.

How do lib dem views on economic management adhere with classical liberalism?

They support a market economy with regulations to ensure fairness and competitiveness, adheres with classical views as minimal state interference is emphasised.

They also promote entrepreneurship and the importance of small business.