moved from Thatcherism

• Introduction + Judgement

  Thatcherism is characterised by economic liberalism (free markets, minimal state intervention), social conservatism, and strong law-and-order policies. The current Conservative Party, led by Kemi Badenoch, has been compared to Thatcherism, but its policies suggest a shift away from these principles. This essay will argue that the Conservative Party has moved away from Thatcherism in terms of economic policy, social policy, and law and order, adopting a more pragmatic and interventionist approach under Badenoch’s leadership.
• Argument 1: Economic Policy

  • The Conservative Party has moved away from Thatcherite economic policies, which emphasised free markets, low taxation, and minimal state intervention.
  • Under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership, the party has continued to support state intervention in the economy, such as subsidies for green energy projects and increased public spending on infrastructure.
  • Badenoch’s government has also maintained higher levels of taxation, including corporation tax at 25%, contrary to Thatcher’s belief in low taxation. - aligning with one nation conservatism
  • This suggests the party has moved toward pragmatic economic management over strict Thatcherite ideology
• Counter-Argument 1: Economic Policy

  • Some argue that the Conservative Party remains rooted in Thatcherite economic principles, as seen in its commitment to reducing taxation and freeing the market.
  • Badenoch has expressed support for tax cuts and deregulation in certain sectors, aligning with Thatcherite principles of economic liberalism.
  • The party’s 2024 manifesto included pledges to reduce business taxes and streamline regulations, reflecting a return to Thatcherite economics.
  • This suggests that the party still holds Thatcherite economic values, even if they have been temporarily sidelined due to external factors like the cost-of-living crisis.
  • While the party has occasionally returned to Thatcherite policies, its overall economic approach under Badenoch has been more interventionist, marking a clear departure from Thatcherism.
• Argument 2: Social Policy

  • The Conservative Party has aspects from Thatcherite conservatism
  • Argued that gay marriage was only passed 400 to 175 becuase the majority of the opposition voted for the government, not because the whole conservative party was united in parliament- 136 MPs voted against the act - nearly 45% of cons seats
  • Esther Mcvey urged for a crackdown on wokeism in parliament calling for civil servants to stop wearing colourful lanyards
  • Rwanda bill takes an extreme anti - immigration stance
  • Rishi Sunak banning sex ed in primary school
• Counter-Argument 2: Social Policy

  • Social policy is another are where the party looks and eels like they have decisvely moved away from thatcherism
  • thatcher clearly believed in tradition families - pass section 28 which banned homosexuality from being taught in school
  • However david cameron proved the transition away from thatchers views by introducing the marriage act in 2013
  • Theresa may echoed his thoughts when she announced a consultation on gender recognition laws for transgender individuals
  • Johnson announcing bans for conversion therapy
  • Social polices comes from a desire to detoxify the party after its 1997 defeat - more openly lgbtq mps such as Jamie Wallis - rejecting the old stereotype of being a white middle class party
• Argument 3: Law and Order

  • Point: The Conservative Party has projected an image of Thatcher’s strong law-and-order policies
  • Antisocial behaviour action plan - which looked to police low-level disruptive behaviour and stamp out graffiti and littering caused by nitruse oxide canisters by banning the substance - believed in neoconservatism, where a strong force should be imposed in an authoritarian state to impose social morality
  • Covid lockdownm, the state acted in an authoritarian way with strong laws and penalties for minor breaches of the law - central authoritarian state
  • 2021, the government introduced the police, crime and sentencing and court bill into parliament which will limit the freedom to protest as noisey
• Counter-Argument 3: Law and Order

  • approach is not shared by all conservatives
  • Rory Stewart, a conservative leadership candidate in 2019, believed in addressing the causes of crime
  • Ken Clarke - "Prison does not work" - tough on crime, tougher on the causes of crime stance during blairs premiership
  • very unthacherite - neoconservatism argued that human nature is bleak and can only be restrained by the strong hand of government
  • Cleake believed in communited orders for small offences and wanted to make rehabilitation at the centre of compassionate conservatism
  • 2022, Rishi sunak and boris have been fined for breaking covid rules that they introduced
  • Serious breach of ministerial code - Partygate scandal - by breaking the law and not resigning this sets a tone that law and order is weak
  • Labour party has also pointed out that under the conservatives there are 23,000 nuisance incidents of antisocial behaviour
• Conclusion

  • Summary: In conclusion, the Conservative Party under Kemi Badenoch has largely moved away from Thatcherism in terms of economic policy, social policy, and law and order. While some elements of Thatcherism remain, the party has adopted a more pragmatic and interventionist approach.
  • Final Judgement: The view that the Conservative Party has moved away from Thatcherism is largely valid, as its policies under Badenoch reflect a significant departure from Thatcher’s core principles, particularly in its embrace of social liberalism and pragmatic governance.