THE LABOUR PARTY The changing face of Labour from

Hardie to Milliband

THE TRADITIONS OF THE LABOUR PARTY

To understand the origins and beliefs of “old Labour”

Starter

In 3 words describe

Social Democracy Or

Democratic Socialism

Brief Background

The Labour Party was founded at the start of the 20th Century.

It has tended towards socialism, it was never a purely socialist party.

It is not correct to describe the Labour Party as socialist, it is based on the ideas of democratic socialism

The key areas of principle are Equality Collectivism and universalism Control of capitalism Social Justice Class and society

Your task

Create a timeline highlighting the changing fortunes of the Labour Party from its origins to the present day.

Keir Hardie becomes first

working-class MP to be elected in 1892

Labour lose to Margaret Thatcher’s Conservatives in 1979 general election

Your task

Keir Hardie becomes first

working-class MP to be elected in 1892

Labour lose to Margaret Thatcher’s Conservatives in 1979 general election

Tony Blair and New Labour win 1997

Election

Labour lose to David Cameron and Nick Clegg in 2010 general election

Atlee wins 1945 Election

Bevan founds the NHS

Labour form two minority

Governments 1918 - 1939

Tony Blair elected Labour Party Leader 1994. New Labour is

born

Homework

Due tomorrow

Complete the table with at least 3 examples for each section.

Plenary Listen to Billy Bragg – how do you know he is an

Old (Traditional) Labour supporter?

Labour Party traditionsIdeas and principles Examples of ideas and principles

reflected in practical policies

Equality: People are essentially of equal worth and there should be unjustified privileges in society. People are entitled to equal rights

Collectivism and Universalism: People prefer to achieved their goal collectively man is a social animal and balances his own need against the needs of the community. The collective provision on welfare should apply equally and universally

Control of Capitalism: Capitalism can be tolerated but only if the exploitation of workers and consumers can be controlled. Private enterprise should serve the interests of the community

Social Justice: A belief and aspiration that all should have equal opportunities, should have access to a decent standard of living and improve their lives on their own merit

Class and Society: Labour Party tradition argues that there is a fundamental division in society between classes, mainly the middle and working class. These differences need to be reconciled.

Labour Party traditionsIdeas and principles (Old/Traditional Labour)

Examples of ideas and principles reflected in practical policies

Equality: People are essentially of equal worth and there should be unjustified privileges in society. People are entitled to equal rights

• Artificial privileges removed• Taxation and welfare benefits used to reduce

the wealth gap• Wealth should not give anyone access to power

Collectivism and Universalism: People prefer to achieved their goal collectively man is a social animal and balances his own need against the needs of the community. The collective provision on welfare should apply equally and universally

• The welfare state should provided education, health care, social insurance, housing etc for all and this should be funded by taxation

• Local government is vital as part of collectivism• Workers are best protected by Unions rather

than laws which protect individuals

Control of Capitalism: Capitalism can be tolerated but only if the exploitation of workers and consumers can be controlled. Private enterprise should serve the interests of the community

• Key industries should be under public (state) ownership

• Strong Trade Unions defend the workers• Control the power of monopolies

Social Justice: A belief and aspiration that all should have equal opportunities, should have access to a decent standard of living and improve their lives on their own merit

• Education and welfare should widen personal opportunity

• The welfare state to guarantee living standards• Laws to guarantee equal rights and outlaw

discrimination

Class and Society: Labour Party tradition argues that there is a fundamental division in society between classes, mainly the middle and working class. These differences need to be reconciled.

• The standard of living of the working class to be subsidised through progressive taxation – the more you earn the more you pay

• Strong Trade Unions• Firm economic management to control

unemployment• Controls over capitalism to reduce exploitation• The working class to have a greater stake in the

economy

Key events

Early C20th - Labour Party emerged from Labour Representation Committee (LRC), Independent Labour Party (ILP) & Fabians helped by growth of trade union movement

1906 Labour Party founded 1918-39 Labour Party formed 2 minority

governments 1945 Labour won a landslide victory

under Clement Attlee

Key events

1945-79 was the era of ‘consensus politics’

1980s the party moved to the left & it seemed out of touch with the electorate

1983-92 Neil Kinnock (leader of Labour Party) modernised party, abandoning unpopular policies, e.g. wide-scale nationalisation, unilateral disarmament, withdrawal from EEC)

Key events

1994-2007 Tony Blair modernised party - ‘New Labour’, ‘Third Way’, ‘hand up rather than hand-out’, public-private partnerships, equality of opportunity not income AND ALSO – minimum wage, NHS, constitutional reform

1997 landslide victory, 43.2% (179 seat majority)

2005 GE victory 35% (66 seat majority)

OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW

To understand why Tony Blair introduced New LabourTo understand the key principles of New Labour

To begin to understand the differences between old and new labour

New Labour

The term New Labour refers to the change that took place in the Labour Party in the middle of the 1990’s. It was a more moderate, less left wing party than traditional (old) Labour

New labour and the “Third Way”

Ideas and principles Ideas and principles in practical policies

Individualism

The Free Market

Welfare state

Social Justice

Communitarianism

Ethical Foreign Policy

In pairs – draw a table like the one belowMatch the Idea to the definition (grey boxes)Match the practical policies to the ideasYou will each need a copy of the table at the end of the lesson

The old collectivist ideas of Labour were replaced by a greater emphasis on individualismThe ability of the individual to realise his or her own aspirations

New Labour accepted that free market capitalism was the best form of wealth creator. The state should only take control of enterprises when they cannot be made to act in the public interest

New Labour fully supported the welfare state and increased spending. However welfare benefits were used as an incentive.

Welfare was targeted rather than universal

New Labour shared many of the beliefs and ideas if traditional labour

New Labour replace the old Labour belief in the class system with the idea that in a world of free market capitalism and

individualism, all have a responsibility to care for the community collectively

A belief that the UK has a responsibility for the poorer parts of the world and that aiding the developing world is

in the UK’s best interests

Lower personal taxation, to encourage work and enterprise

Home ownership to be encouraged ,Small businesses to ne encouraged

Education to be supported and Higher Education expanded to allow all to widen opportunities and become socially mobile

No return to nationalisation and some further industries to be privatised

Reduction in corporation tax to encourage investment and innovation

The Private sector to compete with the Public sector in areas such as education, hospital buildings, prisons, local government and road building

Weak Trade Unions to ensure free labour market

Increase spending on health and education

Reform of welfare benefits

Improved efficiency by allowing the private sector to compete to provide services for the welfare state

Provide Education and other welfare benefits and widen opportunities

The Welfare state to guarantee living standards

Strong laws to guarantee equal rights and avoid discrimination

A minimum wage

An attack on child poverty

A system of tax credits to guarantee minimum living standards

A caring attitude towards the environment and green policies

An emphasis on schools, local welfare and strong social services

State support for voluntary organisations

Increased foreign aid

Campaign to reduce third world debt

Campaign for more free market policies in world trade

Intervening abroad where democracy and human rights are threatened

The old collectivist ideas of Labour were replaced by a greater emphasis on individualismThe ability of the individual to realise his or her own aspirationsIndividualism

New Labour accepted that free market capitalism was the best form of wealth creator. The state should only take control of enterprises when they cannot be made to act in the public interestFree Market

New Labour fully supported the welfare state and increased spending. However welfare benefits were used as an incentive.

Welfare was targeted rather than universal.Welfare State

New Labour shared many of the beliefs and ideas if traditional labourSocial Justice

New Labour replace the old Labour belief in the class system with the idea that in a world of free market capitalism and

individualism, all have a responsibility to care for the community collectivelyCommunitarianism

A belief that the UK has a responsibility for the poorer parts of the world and that aiding the developing world is

in the UK’s best interestsEthical Foreign Policy

Lower personal taxation, to encourage work and enterprise

Home ownership to be encouraged ,Small businesses to ne encouraged

Education to be supported and Higher Education expanded to allow all to widen opportunities and become socially mobile

No return to nationalisation and some further industries to be privatised

Reduction in corporation tax to encourage investment and innovation

The Private sector to compete with the Public sector in areas such as education, hospital buildings, prisons, local government and road building

Weak Trade Unions to ensure free labour market

Increase spending on health and education

Reform of welfare benefits

Improved efficiency by allowing the private sector to compete to provide services for the welfare state

Provide Education and other welfare benefits and widen opportunities

The Welfare state to guarantee living standards

Strong laws to guarantee equal rights and avoid discrimination

A minimum wage

An attack on child poverty

A system of tax credits to guarantee minimum living standards

A caring attitude towards the environment and green policies

An emphasis on schools, local welfare and strong social services

State support for voluntary organisations

Increased foreign aid

Campaign to reduce third world debt

Campaign for more free market policies in world trade

Intervening abroad where democracy and human rights are threatened

Ideas and principles (New Labour) Ideas and principles in practical policies

Individualism: The old collectivist ideas of Labour were replaced by a greater emphasis on individualismThe ability of the individual to realise his or her own aspirations

Lower personal taxation, to encourage work and enterpriseHome ownership to be encouraged ,Small businesses to be encouragedEducation to be supported and Higher Education expanded to allow all to widen opportunities and become socially mobile

The Free Market: New Labour accepted that free market capitalism was the best form of wealth creator. The state should only take control of enterprises when they cannot be made to act in the public interest

No return to nationalisation and some further industries to be privatisedReduction in corporation tax to encourage investment and innovationThe Private sector to compete with the Public sector in areas such as education, hospital buildings, prisons, local government and road buildingWeak Trade Unions to ensure free labour market

Welfare state: New Labour fully supported the welfare state and increased spending. However welfare benefits were used as an incentive. Welfare was targeted rather than universal.

Increase spending on health and educationReform of welfare benefitsImproved efficiency by allowing the private sector to compete to provide services for the welfare state

Social Justice: New Labour shared many of the beliefs and ideas if traditional labour

Provide Education and other welfare benefits and widen opportunitiesThe Welfare state to guarantee living standardsStrong laws to guarantee equal rights and avoid discriminationA minimum wageAn attack on child povertyA system of tax credits to guarantee minimum living standards

Communitarianism: New Labour replace the old Labour belief in the class system with the idea that in a world of free market capitalism and individualism, all have a responsibility to care for the community collectively

A caring attitude towards the environment and green policiesAn emphasis on schools, local welfare and strong social servicesState support for voluntary organisations

Ethical Foreign Policy: A belief that the UK has a responsibility for the poorer parts of the world and that aiding the developing world is in the UK’s best interests

Increased foreign aid Campaign to reduce third world debtCampaign for more free market policies in world tradeIntervening abroad where democracy and human rights are threatened

OLD AND NEW LABOURWhat's the difference?

What's the same?

Task

Looking at your two sets of information draw up a list of similarities and differences.

To what extent are the differences significant?

Old Labour V New LabourSimilarities Differences

• A fundamental belief in social justice

• The maintenance of the welfare state

• A belief in the equality of opportunity

• A belief in equal rights and no artificial discrimination against anyone

• In a capitalist society the state needs to regulate private enterprise to ensure they do not act against the public interest

• New Labour – Individualism, Old Labour- collectivism

• Old – regulation of capitalism and mixed economy of both private and public sectors. New – accepts and encourages free market capitalism

• Old – The state is key in improving society. New – the state should enable individuals to prosper

• Old – society seen in terms of class conflict. New – class is insignificant, individual interests are more important than class

• Old – promotion of economic and social equality. New inequality as natural and tolerable as long as there is equality of opportunity.

Are the differences significant?

Similarities

A fundamental belief in social justice The maintenance of the welfare state A belief in the equality of opportunity A belief in equal rights and no artificial

discrimination against anyone In a capitalist society the state needs to

regulate private enterprise to ensure they do not act against the public interest

Differences

New Labour – Individualism, Old Labour- collectivism

Old – regulation of capitalism and mixed economy of both private and public sectors. New – accepts and encourages free market capitalism

Old – The state is key in improving society. New – the state should enable individuals to prosper

Old – society seen in terms of class conflict. New – class is insignificant, individual interests are more important than class

Old – promotion of economic and social equality. New inequality as natural and tolerable as long as there is equality of opportunity.

2010 – All Change –

enter Ed Milliband

Ed Milliband and Modern Labour

After the election defeat in 2010 Labour was forced to regroup.

Ed Milliband emerged as leader after narrowly defeating his more experienced brother David

Milliband’s Labour

Known as RED Ed by his detractors – because of his perceived more socialist principles.

Key policies Labour would continue to emphasise education as the

main driver of social justice and social mobility. More state intervention into certain key sectors of the

economy. Company taxes, and public investment – a

departure from New Labour. Industries concerned – green technology, Information Technology and bio medical research, as examples

A greater stress on Green policies – environmental protection

The Party now favours more active state intervention to promote economic growth.

Labour Party factions and tendencies

New Labour traditionalists – those who support the principles of the “Third Way” developed in the 1990’s under Blair. Harriet Harman. Ed Balls and David Milliband are important examples.

The Left – those who still support traditional Labour policies. The radical redistribution of income, restoration of Trade Union power, state control of some major industries.

The Right – sometimes known as “Blue Labour”, support a number of Conservative policies including the Big Society, oppose high levels of immigration, and what more local control over health and education. (This is a very small group)

Exam Question

To what extent has the Labour Party abandoned its socialist roots? (25 marks, 500 words)

Introduction. A brief exposition of the term ‘socialism’, explaining that the evaluation will

concern democratic socialism rather than fundamentalist socialism. Explain that Labour was always a relatively moderate socialist party.

Content.

1. Describe those current and recent policies which could be said to be ‘socialist’ in nature.These might include:• support for the welfare state• emphasis on poverty relief• concern with social exclusion• emphasis on the need for equality of opportunity and social mobility

2. Describe areas where there seems to have been an abandonment of socialist values. These include:• the rejection of public ownership and state control of major industries• the emphasis on individualism rather than collectivism• increased tolerance of economic inequalities in society• rejection of demands to restore trade union power• a preference for free markets over ‘managed capitalism’

Conclusion. An overall assessment. Clearly there has been an extensive retreat from socialist values, but some values have been retained. A firm conclusion should be added, either asserting that socialism in no longer a key feature of Labour or suggesting that the party is still fundamentally socialist. Identify the key evidence to support whichever conclusion is reached.