New Labour
Blatcherism can be defined as an emphasis on free market policies, support for Privatization or
the private ownership of former public services, a monetarist/neo-classical economic policy and a
retention of anti-trade union legislation.
Thatcherism was built upon: Classical Liberalism, which is concerned about the importance of
individual freedom, and Conservatism, which is an advocate for the notions of national sovereignty,
the traditional morals and the laissez-faire principles Thatcher developed her policies over time with
her first government focusing on the reform of trade unions and monetary control (monetarism), the
second focusing on privatisation and housing and the third focusing on the restoration of the welfare
state in the UK.
Considering the New Labour ideology, Blair made a decisive break away from Old Labour’s traditional
political stance and he called it as the party of ‘New Labour’ after becoming leader of the party in
1994. In policy terms, New Labour acted like the mediator between Old Labour, who was ‘statist
socialism’ (they believe to be too radical), and Thatcherism, which was strongly concerned by the
principle of laissez-faire and individualism as stated above. So Blair accepted many of his
predecessors’ ideas about: free trade, the retrieval of a successful and elastic labour market through
capitalism and more individual self-help, etc.
Neo-liberal economic policy + focus on eliminating absolute poverty
Strong and stable society + willingness to embrace diversity and multiculturalism
Old Labour
● Social justice (minimum wage, sure start, tax credits)
● Pluralism and diversity (repeal of clause 28)
● ‘Welfare to work’ – a programme of subsidies and training for benefits claimants to
get back onto the job market – including tax credits to bump up income
● ‘New Deal’ – aiming at single mothers and the disabled to get them into work too
● ‘Minimum wage’ – aimed to make work pay higher than benefits
● New Labour refused Thatcher’s principle of Laissez-faire principle where the
role of government and its intervention hardly featured. Gordon Brown
claimed that the government intervention is a must to provide more public
services which will be more beneficial than cutting taxes for few people only.
The New Labour party believed that it’s the duty of the government to interfere
to prevent the under-investment of education and training that may take place
in case of they relied only on the market forces alone.
Thatcherism
● Tony Blair ‘’ I believe Margaret Thatcher’s emphasis on enterprise was right’’
● Private finance initiative, private provision of state services
Blatcherism can be defined as an emphasis on free market policies, support for Privatization or
the private ownership of former public services, a monetarist/neo-classical economic policy and a
retention of anti-trade union legislation.
Thatcherism was built upon: Classical Liberalism, which is concerned about the importance of
individual freedom, and Conservatism, which is an advocate for the notions of national sovereignty,
the traditional morals and the laissez-faire principles Thatcher developed her policies over time with
her first government focusing on the reform of trade unions and monetary control (monetarism), the
second focusing on privatisation and housing and the third focusing on the restoration of the welfare
state in the UK.
Considering the New Labour ideology, Blair made a decisive break away from Old Labour’s traditional
political stance and he called it as the party of ‘New Labour’ after becoming leader of the party in
1994. In policy terms, New Labour acted like the mediator between Old Labour, who was ‘statist
socialism’ (they believe to be too radical), and Thatcherism, which was strongly concerned by the
principle of laissez-faire and individualism as stated above. So Blair accepted many of his
predecessors’ ideas about: free trade, the retrieval of a successful and elastic labour market through
capitalism and more individual self-help, etc.
Neo-liberal economic policy + focus on eliminating absolute poverty
Strong and stable society + willingness to embrace diversity and multiculturalism
Old Labour
● Social justice (minimum wage, sure start, tax credits)
● Pluralism and diversity (repeal of clause 28)
● ‘Welfare to work’ – a programme of subsidies and training for benefits claimants to
get back onto the job market – including tax credits to bump up income
● ‘New Deal’ – aiming at single mothers and the disabled to get them into work too
● ‘Minimum wage’ – aimed to make work pay higher than benefits
● New Labour refused Thatcher’s principle of Laissez-faire principle where the
role of government and its intervention hardly featured. Gordon Brown
claimed that the government intervention is a must to provide more public
services which will be more beneficial than cutting taxes for few people only.
The New Labour party believed that it’s the duty of the government to interfere
to prevent the under-investment of education and training that may take place
in case of they relied only on the market forces alone.
Thatcherism
● Tony Blair ‘’ I believe Margaret Thatcher’s emphasis on enterprise was right’’
● Private finance initiative, private provision of state services
