ETV that the labour party is internally divided (30 marks)

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The Labour party was established at the start of the twentieth century it initially grew out of the trade union movement and has strong influences from socialist thought. However there is a clear division within the party between New Labour and Old labour thinking causing ideological tensions and leading to the creation of party factions. This essay will examine the divides in terms of the economy , tensions with blue labour and education concluding the party is internally divided.

 

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P1-  ECONOMY- One of the most significant divides within the Labour party is over how the economy should be handled. On the one hand many supporters of Corbyn or members of the momentum faction take a far more left wing old labour stance on how the economy should be handled.

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  • This included wealth redistribution, nationalisation of key industries and a re-establishment of Keynesian style economics. For instance Corbyn in 2019 pushed for the raise of minimum wage from £8.21 to £10 for anyone over the age of 25, Corbyn took a keen focus on the increased role of the state this included large state funding as well as the nationalisation of some key industries.

  • Conversely those who support a more third way approach within the party have been influenced by a more conservative approach to the economy, avoiding complete nationalisation and adopting capitalism.

  • This has been hilighted by Keir Starmer and his appointment of Rachel Reeves as shadow chancellor of the exchequer both have been keen to emphasise that if in power they will not be "turning the spending taps on" and have backtracked on mass spending on green energy policies.

  • This approach however differs greatly from that of the Old labour more left wing approach by factions such as momentum. Thus highlighting a significant division in ideology that has developed throughout the Labour party.

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1
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INTRO

The Labour party was established at the start of the twentieth century it initially grew out of the trade union movement and has strong influences from socialist thought. However there is a clear division within the party between New Labour and Old labour thinking causing ideological tensions and leading to the creation of party factions. This essay will examine the divides in terms of the economy , tensions with blue labour and education concluding the party is internally divided.

 

2
New cards

P1-  ECONOMY- One of the most significant divides within the Labour party is over how the economy should be handled. On the one hand many supporters of Corbyn or members of the momentum faction take a far more left wing old labour stance on how the economy should be handled.

  • This included wealth redistribution, nationalisation of key industries and a re-establishment of Keynesian style economics. For instance Corbyn in 2019 pushed for the raise of minimum wage from £8.21 to £10 for anyone over the age of 25, Corbyn took a keen focus on the increased role of the state this included large state funding as well as the nationalisation of some key industries.

  • Conversely those who support a more third way approach within the party have been influenced by a more conservative approach to the economy, avoiding complete nationalisation and adopting capitalism.

  • This has been hilighted by Keir Starmer and his appointment of Rachel Reeves as shadow chancellor of the exchequer both have been keen to emphasise that if in power they will not be "turning the spending taps on" and have backtracked on mass spending on green energy policies.

  • This approach however differs greatly from that of the Old labour more left wing approach by factions such as momentum. Thus highlighting a significant division in ideology that has developed throughout the Labour party.

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P1- HOWEVER NOT THAT SIGNIFICANT. Yet on the other hand, some argue that this division has been reconciled to some extent after Starmer came into power as party leader

  • Starmer purged the party of the far left wing, expelling many of them, including Corbyn himself. Due to this the far left are now a minority within the party and lack sufficient influence. Starmer has also openly criticised the ideas of the far left and Corbyn, in order to distance himself from it and pursue a more centrist agenda. -

  • However this is not a convincing argument as such tensions are so deeply rooted in ideology that this is only a temporary and superficial solution. This is because the membership of the party are far more left-leaning than the parliamentary party. Therefore it can be maintained that the Labour party is still internally divided over the economy. 

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P2- FOREIGN POLICY - A further divide within the Labour party has been caused by Blue Labour, a faction within the Labour Party who seek to divert attention onto working class issues.

  • A fifth of MPs publicly backed a ceasfire under Starmer- didn’t call for one more than 25 Labour councillors quit over the matter. Keir suspended Andy McDonald from the party which outraged the far left corbynite

  • The party has been traditionally influenced by some far left anti-zionist approaches e.g James Maxton

  • This is a stark contrast to the Labour policies under Corbyn and the party faction momentum which take a far more left wing old labour approach to such issues. Corbyn was anti-war, not very patriotic and supported migration. Similar divisions can be seen today with factions such as the JLM conflicting with momentum over Palestine + calls for a ceasefire in the region. Corbyn raised it in parliament 53 times

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P2- HOWEVER  DOES NOT PREVENT A SIGNIFICANT DIVIDE WITHIN THE PARTY

  • this is a very small faction within the Labour party and thus they are not very significant. Not many MPs subscribe to Blue Labour due to stark ideological differences. Furthermore Starmer has attempted to incorporate some of the Blue Labour ideas- e.g having a union jack behind him when making speeches and showing more reservation towards immigration. Yet there is still clear divides- policy areas such as foreign policy

  • A number of councillors have not resigbed, it is likely he is taking a more cautious approach in line with it being an electoral year, most frontbenchers have remained with Starmer on his stance on Gaza

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P3- TRADE UNIONS. A further issue causing significant divides within the Labour party is the idea of commitment to workers rights and trade unions, alongside the idea of strikes/industrial action. Whilst those who approach these issues from an Old Labour stance- understand the relative importance of TU's the party was built on the back of them show support and advocate on behalf of them.

  • Jeremy Corbyn, the party campaigned for a higher minimum wage, the abolition of zero hour contract and the strengthening of trade unions rights. Similarly today under the leadership of Starmer one of his 10 pledges includes the strengthening of workers’ rights and trade unions he hopes to practice this through working alongside trade unions and repealing the trade union act.

  • By contrast the new Labour third way approach within the party looks to distance itself from the Tus and traditional socialist values, in this sense they have not been as supportive of Tus in their industrial action.

  • Keir Starmer was heavily critical of MPs who attended picket lines he stated there would be no circumstance on which he would appear on one and even sacked MP Sam terry who appeared at a picket line

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P3- HOWEVER it has been argued that this is not an overwhelmingly significant divide within the party as any tensions that do occur are on the part of needing to maintain an image of electability and not due to significant ideological shifts.

  •  For instance Keir Starmer has repeatedly stressed the importance of getting elected in the next general election suggesting that Labour must move away from being the 'party of protest' to election winner.

  • Thus this divide is not overwhelmingly significant although it can still be argued that Starmer's new labour approach in general seems to be in stark contrast to the values and ideology of many of the more left wing factions of the party.