Political Parties

The Conservative Party

Ideologies

A stress on order and harmony in society

Opposition to strongly held ideologies or political principles

A preference for gentle reform and a limited state

Support for traditional institutions and values

Nationalism

The Labour Party

Ideologies

Prominent ideas

A pragmatic approach to political decision making

Low taxation

Financial responsibility

Stressing the importance of private property ownership

Support for capitalism

Preference for community rights over individual rights

Stress on law, order and national security

To reduce inequality

To regulate capitalism

A belief in the power of state to promote social and economic reform

To balance the interests of workers against those of employers

To promote equal opportunities and reduce unjustified privilege

Prominent ideas

Support for an extensive, well-funded welfare state

A progressive tax systems to redistribute real incomes

Relatively high direct taxes to fund public services

The promotion of equal rights

Measures to reduce poverty, especially child poverty

The Liberal Democratic Party

Ideologies

Strong belief in individual liberty

Strong belief in equality

Stress on equal rights and the rule of law

A belief in sate welfare

Constitutional government to prevent abuse of power

Prominent ideas

Support for private property ownership

Greater protection for the environment and natural resources

A strong, free, well-supported education system to promote equality of opportunity

The redistribution of income through tax and welfare

The abolition of inherited privilege

Constitutional reform to make the UK more democratic and to decentralise power

Classic Liberals

Liberals following a form of liberalism harking back to the 19th century which proposed the maximisation of personal freedom and the minimal state

Modern Liberals

Liberals who emerged after classical liberalism in the late 19th century. While still insisting on maximum freedom they also accept that the state should intervene to create greater equality of opportunity ,welfare and social justice.

Old Labour

The tittle given to Labour ideas and policies during the late 1970s and the 1980s. At that time most ideas and polices were left wing and could be described as democratic socialist nature

New Labour

A title given to the majority of Labour supporters from the mid-1990s onwards together with the ideas and polices associated with this group, which was led by such figures as Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. New Labour proposed a moderate form of social democracy also known as the 'third way'

One Nation

Ideas associated with many conservatives. It refers to ideas and polices designed to unite the country and which seek to avoid social conflict by ensuring that the wealthy in society are not allowed to exploit the poor.

New Right

Ideas and polices associated with the Conservatives during the late 1970s and 1980s, led by Margaret Thatcher and President Reagan. It is a combination of neo-liberalism, proposing free markets, the free operation of the private sector, no state intervention.