POLITICAL PARTIES
CONSERVATIVES
Strand Definition Brief history & time period Key players / policies
Traditional Oldest format of Early 19th century Edmund Burke
conservatism conservative thought Wanted to defend the monarchy after Robert peel- & founder of
preserves historical beliefs the French revolution police force – strong
associated with social believer in law and order
hierarchy and the belief
that one is needed
it opposes reform and
change.
One Nationism Form of paternalistic Dates back to the 19th century Benjamin Disraeli
conservatism Founded by Benjamin Disraeli – 2-time believed that social
Believes in the preservation conservative prime minister reform was needed and
of established constitutions one nationism would
and traditional principles in improve conditions of the
combination with social and poor
economic programmes to
benefit the common person
Thatcherism / Ideology created by Created in the 1970s thatcher believed in tax
The New Right Margaret Thatcher to Margaret thatcher was PM from 1979- cuts and privatisation of
reduce state intervention 90 service
and trade union powers Ronald Raegan (US Pres.)
followed similar policies
Post- ‘less confrontational John major continued the provision of tony Blair
Thatcherism approach to Thatcherism’ – coal and rail. john major
John Major Attempted to unite pro Europeans and Gordon brown
Eurosceptics Theresa may
Was an attempt to separate Tony Blair (Labour) took office in 1997-
from thatcher policies and 2005. Attempted to separate Economic policy of
ideas Thatcherism from the UK but failed to thatcher was maintained
do so. Austerity was
implemented
David Cameron in 2015 reformed the Tax cuts present
conservative party by being a liberal
conservative- promoting gay marriage Compassionate
etc. conservatism/voluntarism
, Conservatism relies on a negative view of human nature.
A negative view towards humans is a generally pessimistic view toward humans. They tend to
assume the worst and that humans are selfish & self-serving. (need for a strong police force to
protect us from murderers)
- A positive view towards human nature is a positive view toward human, they believe that
people are selfless and want to right. (- I don’t need to lock my front door at night as I don’t
see the need to)
LABOUR PARTY
Socialism - a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and
control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a
whole. There is a sense of equality within the community.
QUESTIONS:
When and why were Labour founded?
- Founded in 1900 by group of socialist societies and trade unions
- It was created to represent working class people
What is Clause 4?
- Clause 4 committed the Labour party to nationalise key industries and services to run them
in the interests of the community rather than for profit
Why was Clement Attlee such a significant Labour PM?
- Clement Attlee had the first Labour majority government
- This meant he was able to make welfare reforms easily
What do social democrats believe? Give examples of their policies.
- Social democrats did not try to abolish capitalism but instead wanted to manage capitalism
so people were not being exploited by the system
- E.g. Creation of comprehensive schools to promote equality of opportunity.
Explain the difference between James Callaghan, Michael Foot and Neil Kinnock’s views
- Callaghan tried to hold a mix of social democratic elements and left wing
- Michael Foot called for further nationalisation, increase tax, abolition of nuclear defences &
withdrawal from EEC (a seemingly capitalist organisation)
- Neil Kinnock had centre left views and attempted to rebuild Labour
Why did Labour move away from the Hard left in the 1980s?
- In the 1980s, Labour began to move away from the Hard-left views as it became recognised
that people were now more affluent as the industrial Britain had reduced.
How was Clause 4 changed?
- They revised clause 4 so that it was not committed to nationalisation
CONSERVATIVES
Strand Definition Brief history & time period Key players / policies
Traditional Oldest format of Early 19th century Edmund Burke
conservatism conservative thought Wanted to defend the monarchy after Robert peel- & founder of
preserves historical beliefs the French revolution police force – strong
associated with social believer in law and order
hierarchy and the belief
that one is needed
it opposes reform and
change.
One Nationism Form of paternalistic Dates back to the 19th century Benjamin Disraeli
conservatism Founded by Benjamin Disraeli – 2-time believed that social
Believes in the preservation conservative prime minister reform was needed and
of established constitutions one nationism would
and traditional principles in improve conditions of the
combination with social and poor
economic programmes to
benefit the common person
Thatcherism / Ideology created by Created in the 1970s thatcher believed in tax
The New Right Margaret Thatcher to Margaret thatcher was PM from 1979- cuts and privatisation of
reduce state intervention 90 service
and trade union powers Ronald Raegan (US Pres.)
followed similar policies
Post- ‘less confrontational John major continued the provision of tony Blair
Thatcherism approach to Thatcherism’ – coal and rail. john major
John Major Attempted to unite pro Europeans and Gordon brown
Eurosceptics Theresa may
Was an attempt to separate Tony Blair (Labour) took office in 1997-
from thatcher policies and 2005. Attempted to separate Economic policy of
ideas Thatcherism from the UK but failed to thatcher was maintained
do so. Austerity was
implemented
David Cameron in 2015 reformed the Tax cuts present
conservative party by being a liberal
conservative- promoting gay marriage Compassionate
etc. conservatism/voluntarism
, Conservatism relies on a negative view of human nature.
A negative view towards humans is a generally pessimistic view toward humans. They tend to
assume the worst and that humans are selfish & self-serving. (need for a strong police force to
protect us from murderers)
- A positive view towards human nature is a positive view toward human, they believe that
people are selfless and want to right. (- I don’t need to lock my front door at night as I don’t
see the need to)
LABOUR PARTY
Socialism - a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and
control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a
whole. There is a sense of equality within the community.
QUESTIONS:
When and why were Labour founded?
- Founded in 1900 by group of socialist societies and trade unions
- It was created to represent working class people
What is Clause 4?
- Clause 4 committed the Labour party to nationalise key industries and services to run them
in the interests of the community rather than for profit
Why was Clement Attlee such a significant Labour PM?
- Clement Attlee had the first Labour majority government
- This meant he was able to make welfare reforms easily
What do social democrats believe? Give examples of their policies.
- Social democrats did not try to abolish capitalism but instead wanted to manage capitalism
so people were not being exploited by the system
- E.g. Creation of comprehensive schools to promote equality of opportunity.
Explain the difference between James Callaghan, Michael Foot and Neil Kinnock’s views
- Callaghan tried to hold a mix of social democratic elements and left wing
- Michael Foot called for further nationalisation, increase tax, abolition of nuclear defences &
withdrawal from EEC (a seemingly capitalist organisation)
- Neil Kinnock had centre left views and attempted to rebuild Labour
Why did Labour move away from the Hard left in the 1980s?
- In the 1980s, Labour began to move away from the Hard-left views as it became recognised
that people were now more affluent as the industrial Britain had reduced.
How was Clause 4 changed?
- They revised clause 4 so that it was not committed to nationalisation
