The Conservative Party

History
1. The oldest party of the UK (18th century).
  1. A result of transformation of two parties.
    1. Whigs - Liberals
    2. Tories - Conservatives
    3. Not in favour of liberal policies.
      1. Critical of French Revolution.
      2. Critical of democracy.
        Democracy = instability, populism, etc.
      3. In favour of:
        Strong state.
        The Crown.
        The Aristocracy.
        Moral values defended by the Church of England.
        The State should intervene, when necessary.
        Should protect national economy.
        Should create the Empire to show the greatness.
        Voters = wealthy classes.
        Landed Aristocracy.
        Countryside & small towns.
        Then, working class develops.
        The Labour Party - main opponent to the Tories.
        The Liberal Party declines.
        From 1935 to 1970's Tories supported the Labour Party's policies.
        The welfare state.
        Public funds used to nationalise companies.
        Taxation to finance welfare.
        William Beveridge ideas backed by both parties for ca. 40 years.
        Around 40 years of a social-democratic consensus.
        1973 - oil crisis and changes due to that.
        Deficit.
        Stagflation.
        Inflation in 1979 = 11,3%.
        Unemployment.
        High prices.
        Labour can't solve the problem.
        In 1979, Tories won the election.
        Margaret Thatcher.
Thatcherite Revolution
1. 1975 - M. Thatcher becomes a leader of the party.
  1. 4 years to prepare party for election.
  2. Unexpected winner.
    1. From middle class.
    2. Believed in opportunity.
    3. You don't spend money, you invest it.
    4. State shouldn't spend more, than it receives.
  3. The idea: reduce the size and cost of State.
    1. Let the market give people chance to get wealthy.
      1. M.T. influenced by Hayek and Friedman.
        Both believed in suppressing Keynesian policies.
        Promoting competition.
        Monetarism policy.
        Neo-liberal program to fight stagflation.
        In power from 1979 to 1990.
        Known as The Iron Lady.
        She said she would remain tough in implementation of her program.
        Policies carried out:
        Monetarist policy.
        Cuts in public spending and taxation.
        Reducing benefits in welfare.
        Interest rate raised.
        Privatisation of public companies.
        Public firms.
        Gas, electricity, coal & steel.
        Telecom.
        State makes money by selling companies.
        Choice as the key element in the market principles of M.T.
        Citizens as consumers.
        Not only users of public services.
        Fighting trade unions.
        Weakening them = weakening the Labour Party.
        Unions = working class.
        Industry as a thing of past.
        Unions responsible for uncontrolled rise in salaries.
        Wages should be determined by markets, not workers.
        Limit the right to strike.
        M.T. refused the common currency system.
        The UK joined in 1973 the EEC.
        Under her influence some Tories became Euro-sceptic.
        Rejection of a political Europe.
        Support of an economic one.
        Inflation reduced.
        From 20% (1979) to 4,2% (1987).
        Not always low, though.
        She was less tough than she claimed.
        Some sectors left to fail.
        Those of the Industrial Revolution.
        City and financial sectors prospered.
        Traditional industries left to decline.
        Market over social justice.
        Competition decides on policies.
        Difficulties occuring.
        Strikes of people.
        In 1980 - The Times "the most unpopular prime minister since WWII"
        After Thatcher
        From 1990 to 1997 - John Major.
        Continued to privatise.
        Still remained away from a single currency in Europe.
        Unable to control the Euro-sceptics of the party.
        His govt affected by scandals.
        Sleaze scandals.
David Cameron
1. Became in 2005 a new leader of the Tory Party.
  1. Followed Thatcher on the idea, that the State shouldn't do everything.
    1. Civil Society should organize.
      1. To improve solidarity.
      2. Without a centralized state deciding instead of citizens.
      3. The Big Society.
        Supposed to attract the middle class.
        And lower classes.
        Not in favour of a strong state.
        But the idea of solidarity within society.
        Encouragement of the voluntary sector.
        State funds the initiative.
        BUT they rely on voluntary work.
        The principles based on philanthropy.
        The Big Society critisized.
        Time of the financial crisis.
        BS seen as a pretext for reducing public support to the poor.
        Doesn't lead to greater equality.
        Only people with the money can afford to spend their free time.
        People need to take two or three part-time jobs.
        No time to commit to a voluntary job.
        Austerity and welfare policy changes.
        "Living on welfare should not be an acceptable alternative." D.C.
        Removing benefits for under 25's.
        Benefits reduction for migrants and pensioners.
        Criticism of austerity.
        Welfare cut ->people become poor and there is no stimulation.
        Stagnation.
        Targeted low income families.
        From 2000 to 2005 number of people going to food banks increased.
      4. Should include associations, clubs, unions.
        Working independently from the State.
Post-Brexit Government
1. Theresa May - became a Prime Minister in July 2016.
  1. Not elected.
    1. Replaced D. Cameron, who resigned.
    2. She expressed certain views:
      1. Break with austerity policies.
        State should be stronger.
        Should accept to invest in infrastructure.
        Even if it creates some deficit.
        Restriction of immigration.
        Reduction of foreign medical stuff.
        NHS less dependent on foreign medical.
        Trainee positions will be opened.
        Private companies encouraged to employ British workers.
        Instead of foreigners.
        Launch of a proper industrial strategy.

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The Conservative Party

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