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.