AP Comp Gov - New Labour in Britain: Avoiding the Past Questions

“New Labor in Britain: Avoiding the Past”

1. Summarize the author’s argument for WHY the Labor Party received a popular mandate from the British citizens in the 1997 election.

• The author argues that Blair’s election as party leader in 1994 provided the final push the Labour Part needed to win the majority.

2. In order to modernize Blair needed to change TWO things about the Labour party platform. What needed to be changed and why were these changes so necessary?

• The first change was to revise Clause 4 in their constitution, which committed the party to “the common ownership of the means of production.” This was necessary because this idea was outdated and drove away many potential supporters.
• The other change was to distance himself and the party from the trade unions, which helped Blair to prove that Labor had changed since 1979.

3. What were the components of “Thatcherism” and how did they contribute to the eventual downfall of the Conservative party?

• Thatcherism was an economic theory that advocated individual enterprise and reduced state intervention. The two signature components of late Thatcherism were the regressive poll tax and Thatcher’s increasing opposition to further European integration, both of which were hated by the larger public and led much the population to view the Conservative party as split.

4. How new is the platform of New Labor? Why has selling the “Third Way” to the public been difficult?

• Blair has proclaimed that New Labour is genuinely new and that its vision was focused on the problems of the late twentieth century and beyond. A large part of the newness of New Labor is that is adopted most of Thatcherism, which is part of the reason selling the “Third Way” to the public has been difficult. Many believe that it merely accepted the legacy of Thatcher and did a better job of marketing it than the Conservatives.

5. What changes in policy did Blair make under the “Third Way”?

• Blair allowed the Bank of England to determine interest rates, was involved in peace processes in Northern Ireland, accepted the “social chapter” of the European Union, introduced the “new Deal at Work” initiation, and proposed “Fairness at Work” (which would help to reshape industrial relations). Additionally, plans to create assemblies in Scotland and Wales, devolve power regionally, recreate London government, and reduce/replace the House of Lords all indicate a willingness to reshape the nature of government.

“Who Killed New Labour?”

1. According to the author, why is New Labour dying?

• The author argues that new labor is stagnated and losing much of the steam that it gained under Blair. Its failure of its old policies and inability to produce new policies have led to them slowly falling from their 3 term rule.

2. The article discusses three culprits – Mr. Brown, old age, and its platform. Explain how each has played a role in the downfall of New Labour. Then, explain where you think most of the responsibility lies and why!

• Gordon Brown is blamed for the death of New Labor because of the failure of many of his policies and the belief that he is unfair and afraid of a change in power.
• Old age is a factor because New Labor has been in power for one of the longest periods in British history. There is evidence that the downfall of New Labour began before Gordon Brown, as well as the inevitable economic downturn that contradicts much early party rhetoric, which has not had a satisfactory response.
• The platform is blamed because many of their policies have failed or slowed and not been replaced.

3. What role has David Cameron played in the downfall of New Labour?

• David Cameron, as the leader of the conservative party, is adopting New Labour ideas, which increases support for his party by people who may have previously supported New Labour.

4. Should the Labour party choose a new leader next week at its meeting? Why or why not? Can they keep a majority in Parliament with elections looming?

• The Labour Party should not choose a new leader because he is already in power and not completely to blame for New Labor’s decline. A change such as that would disrupt the party and weaken it even more.