Origins and evolutions of Conservatie party policy

Policies developed from the ideas of conservatism

a set of ideas and values which resists radical change, and supports traditional authority. Any change should be gradual and pragmatic.

What was conservatism a reaction to

English Civil War 1642-49 and the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars 1793-1815. Both events were led by liberal ideas which challenged the traditional authority and power of the monarch

• these revolutions led to violent conflict and war.  Military despotism and authoritarian rule replaced monarchy. Conservatives argued that radical change led to dangerous and destabilising   

6 key principles of conservatism

traditionalism

pragmaticism

hierarchy

empiricism

paternalism (noblesse oblige)

organic society

traditionalism def.

A belief that practices and beliefs passed down the generations should be respected, leading to patriotism

Pragmatism def.

An approach to decision-making based on practical application, rather than idealism or abstract theory

Hierarchy def.

The ordered society, where position is based on class or individual ability.

empiricism def.

A belief that knowledge comes from real experience

Paternalism def. (noblesse oblige)

The belief that the elite in society have a duty to look after those less fortunate.

Organic SoC. def.

A belief that society evolves naturally, gradually and not designed artificially

The general ideas of the modern Conservative Party draw upon conservatism principles:

✚ a stress on law and order

✚ a preference for collective rights over individual rights when and national security

✚ patriotism and maintaining institutions,

✚ low taxation, fiscal responsibility and smaller state

✚ individualism and privatisation in the economy

✚ importance of private property ownership, inheritance and pensions

two main influences in conservative party

One Nation and New Right

One Nation - definition and PM that were ON

A paternalistic approach – where the rich and those in power have an obligation to help the poor. A belief that the state can intervene to help reduce poverty. 

Led by Benjamin Disraeli 1870s-80s; Harold MacMillan in 1950s, and arguably David Cameron and Theresa May in the 2010s

New Right def. and PM that were NR

two parts:

(i)neoconservatives: authoritarian social policy, focus on morality, law and order,

(ii)neoliberals: a free-market and rolling back of the state in people’s lives and businesses.   

Associated with Thatcher and to varying degrees, Cameron and Truss.

What was ON a response to

growing wealth inequality between the rich and the poor in IR

• Disraeli like Marx believed class conflict would lead to a breakdown in society and revolution - wanted to unite Rich and Poor through shared cultural identity - Britishness leading towards patriotism and national unity

• Paternalistic - leaders having an obligation to WC

ON policy under Disraeli (1867 and 1874-80)

1867 Reform Act – giving the vote to a large proportion of working-class voters. 

1875 Public Health Act – improving sewage in cities and strict laws on water supply

1875 – Dwellings Act – removal of slum housing in cities

Harold MacMillan Policies (1957-63)

Conservatives accepted the welfare reforms introduced under Atlee’s Labour Govt 1945-50 :

“The Post-War Consensus”

This included a “Mixed Economy” – A Keynesian system combining public ownership, state owned industry (nationalisation) with some privatisation. 

•Clean Air Act 1956;

•Housing Act 1957,

•Factories Act 1961

What was the NR a response to

1970s stagflation = persistent high inflation - made worse by high unemployment and frequent TU strikes - UK received emergency loan from IMF

• Radical form of conservatism emerged in USA and Uk in 70s and 80s = reaction to economic problems and belief that socialism had failed - state too big

Neo-Liberalism in the NR

•Support for free markets and privatisation;

•Excessive levels of welfare are opposed as it leads to dependency. 

•Low tax encourages competition and incentivises work

•Limited role for the state in the economy.

Neo-conservatism in NR

•Important role for state  shaping traditional family, Christian values in society;

•Patriotic and sceptical of mass immigration.

•Reactionary approach to crime – e.g. more prisons, longer sentencing.

Thatchers economic and social policies

•Mass privatisation: British Aerospace, British Gas, and British Telecom. In 1984 they privatised British Telecom with over 2 million people buying shares in the company.   

•Deregulation of banking , financial services and the City of London. – allowing investments to take risk in hope of making larger profits.

•Top rate of tax was reduced from 83% to 40% and the basic rate from 33% to 25%.    

•1980 Employment Act banned “secondary action” by trade unions. Known as “sympathy strikes” -  where workers from other industries also strike to support fellow unions

•It banned “political strikes”  - Unions were liable for damages arising from industrial action, allowing the government to seize funds of up to 250,000 pounds 

Thatchers Law and order policies

•Increased Police pay by 45%

•Increased numbers of police from 90’000 to  over 125’000 between 1979- 89 

•1981 Criminal Attempts Act

•1986’s Public Order Act 

•“Prison works” – prison as a punishment and deterrent

Thatchers Foreign policy

1982, purchased new nuclear weapons, establishing the Trident nuclear submarine programme.

(Labour wanted nuclear disarmament)

Iron Lady – bold and vocal in foreign affairs – Anti-Communist, Pro-USA, Euro-sceptic.  Famously demanded a “rebate” (money back) from the EEC and got it.

Realism – believe that power is the ‘currency’ of international policy

national interests prioritised

Unilateral action

(eg Falklands War 1980)

1867 Reform Act

– giving the vote to a large proportion of working-class voters. 

1875 Public health act

improving sewage in cities and strict laws on water supply

1875 Dwellings Act

– removal of slum housing in cities