New Labour

Cards (7)

  • Clause 4 was rewritten, almost abandoning the original intentions of the Labour Party under Blair. It became 'Thatcherism with a new face' without carrying the burden of Thatcher's reputation
  • The New Clause IV was adapted so that it would be more compatible with British politics at the time. It abandoned the premise of common ownership and economic equity in the original Clause IV and changed to support privatisation and bringing a business sense of continual improvement to the public sector ('rigour of competition')
  • Policies such as Child Tax Credits were aimed at targeting welfare rather than redistributing wealth - Labour had abandoned its original socialist ideology
  • Blair
    • Constitutional reform needed to strengthen individual rights (HRA 1998)
    • Raised direct taxes in order to fund NHS and education sector (election was fought on an emphasis of education)
    • Promoted free trade and the free market
    • Child Tax Credut and Working Tax Credit
  • Brown
    • Allowed Bank of England to set interest rates
    • Sought to increase funding for NHS and education through controlling public spending
    • Abolition of the Advanced Corporation Tax
    • Supported economic regulation
    • Extra £7.7bn for defence
    • Good relationship with the USA
  • Miliband
    • known as the One Nation Party (similar to One Nation conservatives)
    • spending restraints
    • all hospitals to become foundation trusts
  • Starmer
    • Higher sustained growth for G7
    • U turn on 'green' spending promises
    • Reintroduce strengthened ASBOs
    • Commit to NATO and nuclear deterrent