political parties of great britain
DESCRIPTION
Political Parties of Great Britain. Conservatives (Tories). Main party on the right. Traditionally, more pragmatic and moderate than Thatcher. Noblesse Oblige *Tories: supported the king (“Whigs” were anti-king) . Split in Conservatives. Thatcherite Wing. Traditional Wing. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Political Parties of Great Britain
Conservatives (Tories)
• Main party on the right.• Traditionally, more pragmatic and moderate
than Thatcher.• Noblesse Oblige*Tories: supported the king (“Whigs” were anti-king)
Split in Conservatives
Thatcherite Wing• Strict Conservatives• Euroskeptics
Traditional Wing• Noblesse Oblige Moderates• Generally support EU
•Cameron: Leans Traditional, butTrying to unite
Labour Party
• Main party on left• Est. in early 1900s– Trade Union Congress (TUC)– Socialist Groups
• Clause 4: nationalize industry• 1970s & 80s: Increasingly leftist.– Unions too powerful
Blair and “New Labour”
• Blair: 1994-2007– Moderated the party– Not from unions (Oxford lawyer)– Dumped “Clause 4”
Liberal Democrats
• Moderate Party• Est. in 1989: Merger of:– Liberal Party (Britain’s original leftist party)– Social Democrats (Conserv. who opposed Thatcher)
• Goal: Between Thatcherites and Leftist Labourites• Big Issues– Proportional Representation
• Under-represented by 1st Past the Post– Bill of Rights (like U.S.)
“Liberal Democrats: A Long, Unhappy Marriage”
1. Why did Lib Dems lose half their support in the polls?
2. List SEVERAL major points of contention between Tories and Lib Dems.
3. What is the major point of agreement between the two?
4. In spite of differences/difficulties, why is Clegg loathe to end coalition?
“Liberal Democrats: A Long, Unhappy Marriage”
1. Why did Lib Dems lose half their support in the polls?
2. List SEVERAL major points of contention between Tories and Lib Dems.
3. What is the major point of agreement between the two?
4. In spite of differences/difficulties, why is Clegg loathe to end coalition?
Minor Parties
Wales• Plaid Cymru– Union with England in
1500s
Minor Parties
Scotland• Scottish National Party– Joined through marriage
in 1600s.
Minor Party
Northern Ireland• Sinn Fein: Catholics• Democratic Unionist
Party: Protestants• Ireland united with
Great Britain 1801.• Republic of Ireland
granted home rule in 1920s.– Not N. Ireland
• 60% Protestant• 40% Catholic
Power Base of Parties
Conservative• England (298 of 307)– Suburbs and Rural areas
Labour• Wales• Scotland• Industrial north of
England• Urban London
Liberal Democrats• South West– Traditional home of
Liberals– Home of Lib Dem early
leaders• Scotland
Political Socialization
• Process of developing political values and beliefs.
AGENTS OF POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION