Conservatism in Practice
David Cameron's conservatism
- Compassionate conservative – green tree logo. Distancing himself from Thatcher. Thinks I.D. cards are too invasive.
- Traditional – public sector cuts. However, liberal in that he promises not to cut the NHS so extremely – however, announced in 2012 that £20 billion cuts they’ve demanded is only the start..
- Traditional stance of sentencing – draconian and over the top? Refusal of Clarke’s proposal to increase early releases for guilty pleas from 33% to 50% - especially for rapists. Tougher stance of knife crime – criminals should ‘expect’ a prison sentence.
- One-nation, liberal. Big Society an attempt to generate social cohesion.
- Is Cameron really a liberal conservative? ORDER – Data and Communications Bill otherwise known as “Snooper’s Charter” rejected only because of Liberals.
- Child of Thatcher and has similar economic principles, e.g. lack of bank regulation and Osbourne’s “skivers and strivers” claim.
- Takes thoughts from huge, eclectic history. Robert Peel and corn laws – trading laws – and Disraeli – both inspire him. State of mind Pragmatic. “Change is constant” (Disraeli). Progressive conservatism. Start with history and use strengths rather than believing in a utopia created on a blank sheet of paper.
- Progressive goals (fairer society etc.) are achievable through conservative means. Greater use of voluntary sector to combat poverty – struggled due to cuts, however. Start from: what can we mend?
- Traditional conservatism with new slant on it – acceptance of all kinds of marriage. Important for children and families to have stability. Liberal. Current controversy of Gay Marriage.
- Private scholars have responsibility to help state schools – big society – one nation.
- Pragmatism – selling off forests – admits they were wrong. As you go around the world, centre-right parties are all different as they don’t necessarily have set texts. Strong beliefs but not ideological or dogmatic.
- Burke’s ‘little platoons’ – big society. Cleaning up after riots. Lost its way as a policy.
- Liberal – adaptable – more women candidates/emphasis on environment. Equality.
- Civic conservatism – decentralisation – enabling. Not a big, bossy government.
- Decrease income tax to 45% in line with Thatcher.
- Localism as an idea has been promoted with mayoral referendums and creation of Police Commissioners
- Still has a problem with the position of the UK in the EU and with the rise of UKIP has been forced into promising a referendum if the Tories win the next election.
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Similarities |
Differences |
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Role of the State Cameron – he got rid of 20 Sure Start centres which was the state helping out with baby care, despite pledging to keep them during the election |
Cameron believes that poverty is a problem that needs some state intervention Big Society is a solution to poverty Thatcher believed that there was no such thing as poverty from the state’s perspective and the individual should take responsibility |
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Environmental issues Cameron – Changed the logo to the tree |
Cameron believed in little platoons and the way in which society can make a difference |
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Law and order Cameron – sentencing of the rioters – 16 000 police officers in riots vowing to unleash the ‘full force of the law’ Life sentences being considered for people who kill police officers |
Cameron has a more consensual personality Thatcher – Iron Lady idea – ‘this lady is not for turning’ ‘No, no and no’
Prisoners’ vote – Cameron doesn’t want to cause rift with Lib Dems but goes against strong law and order of conservative mind-set. Currently in contravention of HRA. |
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Anti-European stance Cameron – fighting EU on its budget UKIP making Europe an increasingly important battle ground |
Cameron didn’t want to draw too much on the legacy of Thatcher. Believed more in the idea of a together society – less individualistic. Cameron hoping old wounds on EU had healed but clearly a split within his own cabinet.
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Equality of opportunity Cameron – wanting social mobility |
Cameron rejects the Human Rights Act and wants to change it to a Bill of Rights Still a huge north south divide Cameron from one of the elite schools that Thatcher complained about |
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Immigration Cameron – quota of amount of people that can come into the UK each year Vowed to cut immigration from outside EU |
Thatcher did not have to deal with the rising immigration from EU |
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Society Cameron – Big Society |
Thatcher’s view different in that responsibility should never lay with the state, Cameron believes that in certain areas it can, e.g. rights and liberties. Cameron has given strong support to NHS and Education. Thatcher believed in centralised government making the decisions |
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Economy Both believe in free market Banks have enjoyed great deregulation Thatcher and privatisation and low taxes, similar to Cameron |
Cameron has attacked big companies who have avoided paying taxes. There have been government interventions to limit the pay rises and bonuses of bank chief execs. Removal of knighthoods and other awards for those blamed for the banking crisis. |
Similarities between David Cameron and Tony Blair
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Policy |
David Cameron |
Tony Blair |
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Interested in society and building relationships. Social inclusion |
England riots – broken society is top priority. Encouragement of volunteering and autonomy at devolved levels. |
Call for a new civic society where everyone played a part. Emphasis on education: “education, education, education”. |
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Believe that poverty is a problem that needs some state intervention. |
Believe that government should promote marriage through measures such as a transferable income tax, personal allowance and relationship support. They also believe that government should fund initiatives that help people to free themselves of debt and addiction. |
Labour raised money spent on children by 6 billion per year. Welfare system also proposed to be supported by methods to tackle fraud: offering a hand up not hand out. |
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Tax cuts are not the best way to promote growth |
Cameron has agreed to a cut of the top rate of income tax from 50% to 45%, with a view to further reductions if the economy recovers. |
Blair’s pledge that under his government income tax rate would remain at 40% |
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Supports ideas on foundation hospital and academies – greater autonomy |
Strengthening foundation trusts. Doctors given more freedom on decision making. Cameron’s A-List and introduction of free schools. |
Doctors given more freedom and less government control. Academies – reinvestment – re-branding. “Blair’s babes. |
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Foreign policy |
Liberal intervention in Libya – spreading idea of liberal democracy. Action in Mali and Syria has reinforced this view |
Iraq and Afghanistan with the promise to topple tyrannical regimes and replace them with a democratic system |
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Environmental |
Acutely aware of importance of signing up to emissions treaties. |
Acutely aware of importance of signing up to emissions treaties. |
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Modernising – both about change. |
Liberal conservatism – David Davis opponent – previous leaders after Thatcher were all very similar. |
New Labour – Galloway and Livingstone opponents. |
Differences
- Cameron’s “little platoons” fairly right wing.
- Business involvement ignores the fact that they would want tax breaks in return.
- Rejection of Human Rights Act.
Similarities between Liberal Democrats and the Conservative Party
- Cameron shed the New Right image by detoxifying the Conservative brand. Embraced ‘new’ issues – environment.
- Remained firmly Eurosceptic but ensured that this was not so divisive.
- Conservatives would defend civil liberties – similar vein to Lib Dems.
- Sceptical of central state and much more favourable free-markets.
- Big society – emphasis of local and voluntary provision of welfare. ‘Orange Book’ liberalism also encouraged this.
- Cameron: “I’m liberal because I believe in freedom and human rights, but conservative – I’m sceptical of great schemes to remake the world”.
Differences
- Disillusioned right wingers state Cameron’s Big Society is unclear and he is making too many concessions to the Lib Dems.
- Lib Dems have also gone against their beliefs in issues such as tuition fees.
- Emphasis on the never seen before cap on non-EU immigrants.
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