POLITICAL PARTIES AND IDEOLOGIES

Module 2Part 3

Identify and compare the main characteristics of Socialism, Liberalism, Conservatism, Feminism and Environmentalism.

Examine the functions of political parties and the relationship between parties and democracy.

Explain consensus and adversary politics and distinguish between them.

Outline the 20th century histories of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal/Liberal Democrat parties.

Discuss the policies and ideologies of the Conservative Party from 1979 to 2005.

Discuss the policies and ideologies of the Labour Party from 1979 to 2005.

Compare the experience of the Labour Party in opposition during the 1980s and early 1990s to the Conservative Party in recent years.

Describe the policies and ideologies of the Liberal Democrat and Green Parties today.

Module Objectives

The oldest of the main British political parties.

The most successful political party in UK in 20th century (of 20 PMs, 12 were Conservative). Sometimes called “the natural party of Government”.

Also called the Tory party.

The Conservative Party

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsKDGM5KTBY&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Conservative leaders: Winston Churchill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWu_yPXBBL0&feature=fvw

Churchill led the war-time Coalition government.

He was defeated in the 1945 election, but returned to office in 1951.

He resigned in 1955 and was replaced by Anthony Eden.

1940s – 1970s post war consensus.

‘One Nation Conservatism’ dominated the Conservative party policy. This dates from the 19th century leader, Benjamin Disraeli.◦ The term denotes a political stance aspiring towards unity of the citizenry in the

nation, as well as harmony between divergent classes and interest groups, as opposed to the social polarisation seen in the likes of both militant socialism and Thatcherism.

◦ Disraeli described Britain as "Two nations between whom there is no intercourse and no sympathy; who are as ignorant of each other's habits, thoughts, and feelings, as if they were dwellers in different zones, or inhabitants of different planets: the rich and the poor."

Conservatives accepted a mixed economy and strong welfare state.

Harold Macmillan (PM 1957-63) is associated with this policy. Later Conservatives rejected this.

Conservatism

Strands of Conservatism

Edward Heath became leader of the party in 1965 He was pro-European and took the UK into the European Economic Community in 1973

policy of tax cuts

reducing the role of the state in the economy

cutting welfare expenditure

Seen as an attack on the post war consensus He won the 1970 election but performed a series of ‘U turns’ as he struggled to break with the post war consensus

He gave money to support ‘lame-duck’ industries He lost the 1974 election

Conservative leaders: Edward Heath

In 1975 Margaret Thatcher became the first woman to lead a major political party in the UK.

One of the few politicians to become an “ism”!! Thatcherism Doctrine.

Thatcher moved away from traditional One Nation Conservatism.

Often seen as a style of government rather than an ideology.

She believed in neo-liberal economics (the economics of the free market and competition) and social conservatism.

Conservative leaders: Margaret Thatcher

Desire to:◦ Reduce the role of the state in the economy, including ending the state corporatism of the 1970s

◦ Privatisation of many state industries◦ Cut direct taxation to improve work incentives◦ Greater selectivity in welfare spending◦ Support the expansion of private wealth and shareholding (a “home owning and share owning democracy”)

◦ Reducing the power of institutions such as the trade unions

Critics◦ Said Thatcher was not really a Conservative ◦ That she was too dogmatic, fixed and inflexible, whereas conservatives should be more pragmatic.

Thatcher: Neo-Liberal Conservatism

Increasingly antagonistic against European institutions and European integration

Social Conservatism meant “law and order” policies Respect for authority Nationalism

She was seen as being “victorious” in: Falklands War 1982 Miner’s Strike 1984-5

Thatcher: Neo-Liberal Conservatism

Margaret Thatcher, ‘Free Society’ speech (1975)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK3eP9rh4So

Margaret Thatcher attacks socialismhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okHGCz6xxiw

Margaret Thatcher

Strands of Conservatism

By 1990 Thatcher’s government was unpopular. The Poll Tax http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8593158.stm

High inflation Divisions over Europe Thatcher was ‘removed’ by the party and replaced with John Major

The end of Thatcher

Achievements Privatisation of industry Victory over the miners and reduction of Trade Union power

Reduction of rate of income tax Falklands War

Resentment Increased tax burden (indirect and other taxes) Fall in public spending Weakening of ‘society’ "I think we've been through a period where too many people have been given to

understand that if they have a problem, it's the government's job to cope with it. 'I have a problem, I'll get a grant.' 'I'm homeless, the government must house me.' They're casting their problem on society. And, you know, there is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families. And no government can do anything except through people, and people must look to themselves first. It's our duty to look after ourselves and then, also to look after our neighbour. People have got the entitlements too much in mind, without the obligations. There's no such thing as entitlement, unless someone has first met an obligation.” Prime minister Margaret Thatcher, talking to Women's Own magazine, October 31 1987

Thatcher: the legacy

Unexpectedly won the 1992 election. Black Wednesday (16-9-92)Britain out of Exchange Rate Mechanism £ devaluedConservative reputation for economiccompetence damaged Divisions over Europe Sleaze

http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/historic_moments/newsid_8188000/8188574.stm ‘Weak, weak, weak’.

John Major

The Conservatives lost the 1997 election and remained in opposition until 2010.

William Hague (lost 2001 election) after moving to the right and Iain Duncan-Smith also failed as leader. The ineffectual Duncan-Smith was removed as leader in 2003 without even contesting an election.

Michael Howard lost the 2005 election on a platform of asylum seekers, immigration and law and order.

Conservatives in Opposition

Cameron became party leader in December 2005.

A ‘moderniser’, looking for ‘centre ground’.

More ‘green’, ‘woman friendly’ and less right wing?

Critics disagree and argue that he is a right winger.

He took the Conservatives out of the centre-right grouping in Europe and joined the more right-wing Eurosceptic ‘European Conservatives and Reformists’.

After the 2010 election victory he reduced family tax credits and introduced spending cuts. The Big Society policy.

David Cameron

Aims:◦ To give citizens, communities and local government the power and information they need to come together, solve the problems they face and build the Britain they want.

◦ To give communities more power.◦ To encourage people to take an active role in their communities.

◦ To transfer power from central to local government.

◦ To support co-ops, mutuals, charities and social enterprises.

◦ To publish government data.

The Big Society

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO52TjI88tE&feature=fvw History of the Conservative Party

Conservative Party: Summary

Read pp. 85 – 97 in your textbook Read the Building the Big Society Handout.

Complete Activity M2:3 on p. 93 Complete Task M2:7 on p. 94 Complete Activity M2:4 on p. 97

Homework