The conservative party
Formation of the party:
Officially founded in 1834 – conservative and Unionist party
Robert peel is acknowledged as the founder
Traditional roots as a conservative force – campaigning for
cautious (not radical) change
preservation of tradition
monarchy
nationalistic values
Bases around a pragmatic and traditional stance
One nation conservatism
Importance of a society working together
Paternalism
Benjamin Disraeli – advocated for the ruling of the elite to govern in
the best interests of the wider population, arguing it was in the
collective interest of everyone
If working class and upper class became to largely separated it
would be dangerous as then two nations, sperate and divorced from
each other would emerge
Therefore the ruling class had an obligation to look out for the lower
classes to provide social stability
New right
Neo-liberal views
interference in the economy by the state is almost always
counterproductive
Free markets – i.e. free commerce with limited state regulations are
the best way to create wealth and fuel prosperity
Powerful trade unions also interfere excessively with markets
Excessive welfare benefits lead to a dependency culture – people
rely too much on government handouts
High taxation is a disincentive to the economy - keep them low to
incentivise hard work
Neo-conservative views
A loose attitude to morality and lifestyles leads to a breakdown in
social order. The movement is therefore socially conservative,
looking for a restoration of moral values
, Law and order are crucial to maintaining security and promoting
individualism. The state needs to be authoritarian in nature
Normally nationalistic. Patriotism and support for a united nation is
normally the watchword.
Internationally they are suspicious of supranational institutions
like the European union, which they see as threats to parliamentary
sovereignty. They believe that foreign policy should be conducted
to best serve the nation’s self-interest, not those of other
nations.
Thatcher’s polices Neo-liberal or Neo conservative
Neo-liberal:
Low taxation – reduction of income tax rates, especially for high
earners
Shift to indirect tax – increasing VAT from 8 to 15%
Poll Tax
Privatisation of state-owned industries: British Telecom, British Gas,
British Airways
Sale of council housing
Neo-conservative:
Shut down of ‘inefficient’ national industries, such as coal mines –
miners’ strike
Victorian family values – Section 28
Suspicion of Europe/affinity with US
Falklands Island
Coalition government 2010 – 25
Cameron’s pursuit of austerity had elements of Thatcherism to it –
reducing the role of the state and decreasing taxation
However, the Coalition with the Lib Dems resulted in some more One
Nation policies:
Same Sex Marriage
Big Society – encouraging volunteers to take responsibility for local
services
Formation of the party:
Officially founded in 1834 – conservative and Unionist party
Robert peel is acknowledged as the founder
Traditional roots as a conservative force – campaigning for
cautious (not radical) change
preservation of tradition
monarchy
nationalistic values
Bases around a pragmatic and traditional stance
One nation conservatism
Importance of a society working together
Paternalism
Benjamin Disraeli – advocated for the ruling of the elite to govern in
the best interests of the wider population, arguing it was in the
collective interest of everyone
If working class and upper class became to largely separated it
would be dangerous as then two nations, sperate and divorced from
each other would emerge
Therefore the ruling class had an obligation to look out for the lower
classes to provide social stability
New right
Neo-liberal views
interference in the economy by the state is almost always
counterproductive
Free markets – i.e. free commerce with limited state regulations are
the best way to create wealth and fuel prosperity
Powerful trade unions also interfere excessively with markets
Excessive welfare benefits lead to a dependency culture – people
rely too much on government handouts
High taxation is a disincentive to the economy - keep them low to
incentivise hard work
Neo-conservative views
A loose attitude to morality and lifestyles leads to a breakdown in
social order. The movement is therefore socially conservative,
looking for a restoration of moral values
, Law and order are crucial to maintaining security and promoting
individualism. The state needs to be authoritarian in nature
Normally nationalistic. Patriotism and support for a united nation is
normally the watchword.
Internationally they are suspicious of supranational institutions
like the European union, which they see as threats to parliamentary
sovereignty. They believe that foreign policy should be conducted
to best serve the nation’s self-interest, not those of other
nations.
Thatcher’s polices Neo-liberal or Neo conservative
Neo-liberal:
Low taxation – reduction of income tax rates, especially for high
earners
Shift to indirect tax – increasing VAT from 8 to 15%
Poll Tax
Privatisation of state-owned industries: British Telecom, British Gas,
British Airways
Sale of council housing
Neo-conservative:
Shut down of ‘inefficient’ national industries, such as coal mines –
miners’ strike
Victorian family values – Section 28
Suspicion of Europe/affinity with US
Falklands Island
Coalition government 2010 – 25
Cameron’s pursuit of austerity had elements of Thatcherism to it –
reducing the role of the state and decreasing taxation
However, the Coalition with the Lib Dems resulted in some more One
Nation policies:
Same Sex Marriage
Big Society – encouraging volunteers to take responsibility for local
services
