Party policies and ideas (cont’d)

The ideological identity of the Labour Party was deeply influenced by the reforms of the Attlee government 1945-1951. These reforms gave rise to a type socialism referred to as social democracy. Key policies:

- A mixed economy i.e. an economy in which both public and private industries are active. The Attlee government nationalised key industries to include, coal, steel, ship building, gas and electricity.

- Economic management i.e. the idea that the economy should be regulated by the government. Suggested by economist Milton Keynes, the intention was to use public spending to achieve full employment and stimulate economic growth.

- Comprehensive social welfare – the role of the state was expanded to include the provision of social services and the creation the National Health Service (NHS). The social programme was funded by a system of progressive taxation (a system of taxation in which the rich pay proportionately more than the poor based on income).

The Labour Party lost four successive elections from 1979.

Blairism of Third WayAs leader of the Labour Party in 1994, Tony Blair embarked on a number of changes to

the party’s constitution which eventually ended its commitment to public ownership. As part of the ideological shift, the Labour Pary became known as “New Labour”.

Ideological themes of New Labour:• Market economics : Labour accepted the key elements of Thatcherism –

privatisation, limits on union power, taxation deregulation, etc.• Constitutional reform: a commitment to reforming the Constitution in respect of

human rights, devolution, the House of Lords, electoral reform and a Supreme Court for England and Wales.

• Third Way welfare which involved a move away from ‘cradle to grave’ support to an emphasis on the idea of welfare to work, i.e. welfare programmes that boost skills and provide incentives for people to work.

• The ‘respect agenda’ was intended to strengthen social duty and moral responsibility. The agenda was given support by new public order laws including anti-social behaviour orders(ABSOs) and new anti-terrorism laws

Modern Labour Party PolicyThe policies started under Blair were continued largely by Gordon

Brown the next Labour leader (as Prime Minister 2007-10) and by Ed Miliband the current leader of the Opposition (2010-).

However, some modifications have been made:• The party’s commitment to creating more economic equality

has shifted to a focus on reducing poverty , especially child poverty

• Reducing welfare benefits by means of a cap on the level; continued support for the most vulnerable

• Acceptance of inequality but condemning examples of corporate greed

Modern Labour Policies (cont’d)• Acceptance of the need to reform the NHS but rejecting

large-scale private sector involvement• Limiting immigration and using selective criteria for

applicants• Maintains support for EU but does not favour joining the

single currency • A harder line on repeat offenders.

Liberal Democrats• Formed in 1987 as result of a merger of the Liberal Party and the Social

Democratic Party.• The Liberal Democrats now co-exists with the Conservative Party as a coalition

government from 2010• The current leader is Nick Clegg.• Key Policies:- Progressive taxation (has relaxed it stance since the economic downturn 2008-)- An immigration amnesty for some - Constitutional reform- House of Lords, FPTP, etc.- Strong support for the EU- Consumer rights- Strong support for a ‘green’ agenda- Strong support for welfare (had to back-track in this area as part of the coalition)

Minor Parties

• The Greens: policies largely environmental• UK Independence Party (UKIP: mainly anti-EU,

focused on asylum and immigration• British Nationalist Party (BNP): racist, nationalist,

anti-EU• Respect Party: opposed to war, privatisation and

unemployment• Scottish Nationalist Party and Welsh Nationalist

Party: seeking independence and more devolution