Evaluate the view that Labour is internally divided
When the Labour party was founded and for much of the 20th century, the
Labour party was based around social democracy – the ideology which
underpinned ‘old labour’. However, in the 1990’s the Labour party was
drawn to a more centrist position by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown with the
development of ‘New Labour’, which was based on third way principles.
Since Blair’s leadership of Labour, the party has remained extremely
divided – with some members such as Jeremy Corbyn taking far – left
political stances, whilst others remain closer to the centrist position
established by Blair. This is particularly highlighted in economic and
welfare policies, alongside factionalism within Labour, which illustrates
how the Labour party is internally divided.
Some may unconvincingly argue that the party’s united stance on law and
order is indicative of how the Labour party is united rather than divided.
The Labour party maintains a centrist outlook on law and order, reflected
in their recent policies. The party pledged to increase the number of police
on the street and strengthen the laws surrounding crimes directed against
women and girls. Starmer is also strongly critical of Just Stop Oil
demonstrations, and supported the conservative government’s public
order bill. These policies and stances of the Labour party are significant
evidence for the argument that Labour is not internally divided, with
policies on Law and Order all consistent with New Labour’s centrist
approach to Law and Order, being ‘tough on crime and tough on the
causes of crime’ rather than ideologically split. This is outweighed by the
strongest and most convincing point for the view that Labour is internally
divided – the way in which the party is ideologically split regarding the
economy. This is reflected in Labour’s economic policy in recent years,
with Corbyn’s economic policies being heavily influenced by the left – wing
faction momentum, being focused on wealth distribution and
nationalisation of key industries such as broadband. This is reflective of a
left – wing faith in government intervention in the economy, typical of
more socialist factions of the labour party. Contrastingly, Kier Starmer is
no longer committed to the nationalisation of key industries and is keen
not to alienate businesses through the use of excessive government
intervention. This is reminiscent of third – way principles employed by
Blair’s government, which had faith in a mixed economy, prioritising the
relationship between the private and public sectors to maximise economic
growth. This is a significant point as it undermines the unity of Labour in
regard to Law and order, with diverging economic policies of the Labour
When the Labour party was founded and for much of the 20th century, the
Labour party was based around social democracy – the ideology which
underpinned ‘old labour’. However, in the 1990’s the Labour party was
drawn to a more centrist position by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown with the
development of ‘New Labour’, which was based on third way principles.
Since Blair’s leadership of Labour, the party has remained extremely
divided – with some members such as Jeremy Corbyn taking far – left
political stances, whilst others remain closer to the centrist position
established by Blair. This is particularly highlighted in economic and
welfare policies, alongside factionalism within Labour, which illustrates
how the Labour party is internally divided.
Some may unconvincingly argue that the party’s united stance on law and
order is indicative of how the Labour party is united rather than divided.
The Labour party maintains a centrist outlook on law and order, reflected
in their recent policies. The party pledged to increase the number of police
on the street and strengthen the laws surrounding crimes directed against
women and girls. Starmer is also strongly critical of Just Stop Oil
demonstrations, and supported the conservative government’s public
order bill. These policies and stances of the Labour party are significant
evidence for the argument that Labour is not internally divided, with
policies on Law and Order all consistent with New Labour’s centrist
approach to Law and Order, being ‘tough on crime and tough on the
causes of crime’ rather than ideologically split. This is outweighed by the
strongest and most convincing point for the view that Labour is internally
divided – the way in which the party is ideologically split regarding the
economy. This is reflected in Labour’s economic policy in recent years,
with Corbyn’s economic policies being heavily influenced by the left – wing
faction momentum, being focused on wealth distribution and
nationalisation of key industries such as broadband. This is reflective of a
left – wing faith in government intervention in the economy, typical of
more socialist factions of the labour party. Contrastingly, Kier Starmer is
no longer committed to the nationalisation of key industries and is keen
not to alienate businesses through the use of excessive government
intervention. This is reminiscent of third – way principles employed by
Blair’s government, which had faith in a mixed economy, prioritising the
relationship between the private and public sectors to maximise economic
growth. This is a significant point as it undermines the unity of Labour in
regard to Law and order, with diverging economic policies of the Labour
