Labour

• Democratic Socialism

  • aims by democratic means mix state control over production with capitalism .
  • working class can advance with combination of state and enterprise
• The Third Way

  • policies between leftist socialism and neo - liberalism
• Old Labour Values 


  Equality = redistribution of income

  Class conflict= government should favor disadvantaged

  Equality of opportunity = all equal no matter what background

  Collectivism = welfare state, trade union

  Ownership = public ownership of industries ran by state

  Trade Unions =restore balance of power between worker and employer

  Statism = give equality of treatment

  Welfarism = everyone is protected by the welfare they contribute to
• Old Labour policies and actions

  • welfare state an NHS creates in 1940 in response to Beveridge report
  • TU power to fake industrial action
  • major industries nationalised; British Rail, British Telecoms; British Gas
  • comprehensive education 1960s - Equality of opportunity
  • equal pay for women
  • Discrimination against women and ethnic minorities banned: Sex Discrimination Act 1975; Race Relations Act 1968; Sexual Offences Act 1968 legalised gay relationships.
• Blair and Labour

  • Invasion in Iraq
  • New Labour
  • longest Labour PM
• New Labour Values

  • class conflict = all society should have state support
  • capitalism = best way to create wealth, free of state control
  • enabling state = capitalism regulated, not controlled
  • individualism = de-emphasis on collectivism
  • Communitarianism: we have obligations to society and others in return for our success.
  • Within Human Nature to achieve things individually
  • 1995 - Clause 4 removed
  • New Labour focus on privatisation due to removal of Clause 4
  • Committed to Political and Constitutional Reform.
• New Labour Policies and Actions

  • didn't return powers to trade unions
  • Constitutional Reform; Human Rights Act 1998; Devolution; Constitutional Reform Act 2005; Greater London Authority Act 2000.
  • Increased Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners.
  • Introduced Jobseekers Allowance and Jobcentre Plus schemes as part of 'welfare to work'.
  • Sure Start - 12 hours a week free nursery for 2 to 4 year olds.
  • Extended school career from 4 to 18.
  • Introduced literacy and numeracy hours in schools.
  • Education Maintenance Allowance - £10 to £30 per week to encourage post-16 education for low-income households.
• communitarianism

  • draws on the bond between the individual and the community
• Labour Today

  • Economy; centre-left want pragmatic view including targets to reduce public sector debt; left want high public spending to promote investment and job growth.
  • Social Justice; centre-left want mild redistribution of income; left want radical tax reforms.
  • Industry; centre-left want private industry; left want nationalised industry.
  • Both support welfare state; but centre-left want to cap abuse; left want to abolish tuition fees.
  • Foreign Policy; centre-left support NATO; left support isolationism.
  • Constitutional Reform; centre-left want elected Lords.
• Labour Party Factions

  • Far Left and Momentum; led by Corbyn and McDonnell; supported Corbyn's leadership; contains 'Old Labour' democratic socialists and even Marxists; support policies such as wealth redistribution; public ownership; control of private rents.
  • 'Blairism' and Social Democracy; belief in 'New Labour' policies; centrist and moderate; oppose Left policies.
  • Blue Labour; strong support for working class; support for Brexit; socially-conservative; blamed loss of Labour voters to UKIP in 2015; 'British Jobs for British Workers'; anti-immigration; opposes big business.