'The Labour Party's agenda since the mid-1990s has owed little to traditional socialism' Discuss

I'm using this format as I like it to set out what points I would use if I was answering this question as a nothing, so instead of advantages and disadvantages my two sides are YES/NO

aqa jan 2011 paper 30 marks

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Advantages

  • although this period is requiring analysis from Blair onwards it is assuming that the labour party previously did owe something to traditional socialism so you firstly need to discuss that view
  • Tony Blair most importantly changed clause 4 which is arguably the most socialist thing labour has ever done, he removed the common ownership and the belief something can be achieved together for a more individualistic approach - effectively removing the socialist aspect
  • Blair was focussed more on individualism, even at the cost of collectivism in some cases
  • The government of the mid-1990s was known as the third way due to its different view to traditional socialism for example accepting a market economy and distancing from trade unions
  • Blair has often been described as Thatcher and seen links to her rather than any links to that of traditional socialism
  • Important to mention Ed Milliband and his current uncertainty in which direction to take the labour party.. red, blue or purple?

Disadvantages

  • Blair did not completely break away from traditions however as he was committed to the EU which bides with a socialist internationalism view
  • The party was committed to minimum wage and spend record amounts of money on health and education
  • When Brown was the leader, he was wanting to eradicate child poverty
  • Brown renationalised some banks (northern rock) and some rail ways (east coast)
  • Also, the 2010 manifesto proposed a lot more policies linked to equality especially in areas such as education and wanting to increase benefits
  • Mention Ed Milliband's predistribution = "to focus on market reforms that encourage a more equal distribution of economic power and rewards even before government collects taxes or pays out benefits" THEREFORE CREATING FAIRER OUTCOMES FROM THE BEGINNING

Evaluation

Many would argue that Blair moved the Labour party away from all traditional socialism but it is important to consider that the Labour party has never really owed much to traditional socialism and although clause 4 emphasised their socialist aims, they were never really fulfilled. Blair's ammendment of clause 4 did remove the socialist core but Blair was not the only leader from this time period. Brown can be linked to traditional socialism in various ways such as his nationalisation of banks and railways, concentrating on child poverty and wanting to increase taxes to incomes over £150,000 and similarly Miliband today is although not certain on his direction is suggesting towards traditional socialist views such as equality and community.

Comments

shanij

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Extremely helpful!

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