New Labour - Revision history

WikiSysop at 16:32, 6 July 2012

2012-07-06T16:32:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:32, 6 July 2012
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	:To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.		:To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.

	The new version of ~~1994~~ reads as follows:		The new version of 1995 reads as follows:

	:The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect.		:The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect.

Mrazkan8 at 21:37, 9 June 2012

2012-06-09T21:37:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:37, 9 June 2012
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	In the 1990s, mainly during the leadership of [[Tony Blair]], the Labour Party was trying to strengthen their appeal to middle-class voters and thereby shifting from the (working-class) left to the "radical centre". This included a compromise formation between neo-liberal monetarism (in Britain known as Thatcherism) and Old Labour socialism, which was called the "Third Way". This is indicated by the amendment of "Clause IV" of the party statutes. In its original version of 1918 Clause IV read:		In the 1990s, mainly during the leadership of [[Tony Blair]], the Labour Party was trying to strengthen their appeal to middle-class voters and thereby shifting from the (working-class) left to the "radical centre". This included a compromise formation between neo-liberal monetarism (in Britain known as Thatcherism) and Old Labour socialism, which was called the "[[Third Way]]". This is indicated by the amendment of "Clause IV" of the party statutes. In its original version of 1918 Clause IV read:

	:To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.		:To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.

WikiSysop at 15:44, 21 May 2012

2012-05-21T15:44:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:44, 21 May 2012
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	Label given to the Labour Party under Tony Blair. The adjective 'new' refers to a change of policies and self-image in the direction of a social democratic party (as opposed to the socialist and working-class 'Old' Labour Party).		Label given to the Labour Party under [[Tony Blair]]. The adjective 'new' refers to a change of policies and self-image in the direction of a social democratic party (as opposed to the socialist and working-class 'Old' Labour Party).

WikiSysop at 15:40, 21 May 2012

2012-05-21T15:40:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:40, 21 May 2012
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	Although New Labour was regarded as basically continuing ~~Thatche~~'s policies, there were striking differences between their agendas. New Labour's approach to the nations of the UK was very different: Prime Minister Blair instigated a process of ~~Devolution~~, i.e. giving legislative power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A national minimum wage was also agreed on under New Labour, and the Social Charter of the Maastricht Treaty was eventually signed by Britain, which had been rejected by Thatcher's administration. In general, New Labour was much more pro-European than it used to be before its renewal.		Although New Labour was regarded as basically continuing Thatcher's policies, there were striking differences between their agendas. New Labour's approach to the nations of the UK was very different: Prime Minister Blair instigated a process of [[devolution]], i.e. giving legislative power to Scotland, Wales, and [[Northern Ireland Assembly\|Northern Ireland]]. A national minimum wage was also agreed on under New Labour, and the Social Charter of the Maastricht Treaty was eventually signed by Britain, which had been rejected by Thatcher's administration. In general, New Labour was much more pro-European than it used to be before its renewal.

	Some of Blair's polices were very controversial in the Labour Party, which is why he is sometimes said to have had a presidential way of leading the party. In general, it can be said that New Labour broadly embraced a new form of consensus, i.e. policies that were in accordance with the ones established by the previous government, but there were also striking differences. The shortcomings of the Thatcher administration were intended to be changed and there was a much stronger focus on social policies and attitudes towards society and its communities but, overall, New Labour followed a new liberal way opened up by Thatcher.		Some of Blair's polices were very controversial in the Labour Party, which is why he is sometimes said to have had a presidential way of leading the party. In general, it can be said that New Labour broadly embraced a new form of consensus, i.e. policies that were in accordance with the ones established by the previous government, but there were also striking differences. The shortcomings of the Thatcher administration were intended to be changed and there was a much stronger focus on social policies and attitudes towards society and its communities but, overall, New Labour followed a new liberal way opened up by Thatcher.

WikiSysop at 09:29, 8 May 2012

2012-05-08T09:29:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:29, 8 May 2012
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	In the 1990s, mainly during the leadership of [[Tony Blair]], the Labour Party was trying to strengthen their appeal to middle-class voters and thereby shifting from the (working-class) left to the 'radical centre'. This included a compromise formation between neo-liberal monetarism (in Britain known as Thatcherism) and Old Labour socialism, which was called the 'Third Way'. This is indicated by the amendment of 'Clause 4' of the party statutes. In its original version of 1918 Clause 4 read:		In the 1990s, mainly during the leadership of [[Tony Blair]], the Labour Party was trying to strengthen their appeal to middle-class voters and thereby shifting from the (working-class) left to the "radical centre". This included a compromise formation between neo-liberal monetarism (in Britain known as Thatcherism) and Old Labour socialism, which was called the "Third Way". This is indicated by the amendment of "Clause IV" of the party statutes. In its original version of 1918 Clause IV read:

	To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.		:To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.

	The new version of 1994 reads as follows:		The new version of 1994 reads as follows:

	The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect.		:The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect.

	~~Its~~ dedication to public ownership was changed to a commitment to an economy which was capitalist in principle, ~~however, including~~ social redistribution of wealth. By changing its constitution, the party substituted a clearly socialist political stance by social pragmatism. The essence of these changes was a commitment to liberal markets, which were supplemented with communitarian policies, i.e. social groups and private incentives. The privatisation policies introduced by Margaret Thatcher were not reversed, but New Labour created incentives to set up projects to make the private sector invest. Under Tony Blair, New Labour made huge investments by subsidising jobs for less skilled workers. Additionally, there was a focus on public-private partnerships and incentives for private companies to invest in the public sector in exchange for profitable returns. As a consequence to the ~~party’s~~ interventionism, there was an explosion of government activity, as more money was spent on the public sector and the creation of new government bodies, e.g. the so-called Social Exclusion Unit. ~~Blair’s~~ approach to Law and Order is best expressed by his catchphrase "tough on crime/zero tolerance", which resulted in stricter anti-social behaviour laws.		The dedication to public ownership was changed to a commitment to an economy which was capitalist in principle, but included the social redistribution of wealth. By changing its constitution, the party substituted a clearly socialist political stance with social pragmatism. The essence of these changes was a commitment to liberal markets, which were supplemented with communitarian policies, i.e. social groups and private incentives. The privatisation policies introduced by [[Margaret Thatcher]] were not reversed, but New Labour created incentives to set up projects to make the private sector invest. Under Tony Blair, New Labour made huge investments by subsidising jobs for less skilled workers. Additionally, there was a focus on public-private partnerships and incentives for private companies to invest in the public sector in exchange for profitable returns. As a consequence to the party's interventionism, there was an explosion of government activity, as more money was spent on the public sector and the creation of new government bodies, e.g. the so-called Social Exclusion Unit. Blair's approach to Law and Order is best expressed by his catchphrase "tough on crime/zero tolerance", which resulted in stricter anti-social behaviour laws. One example is the Crime and Disorder Act, which introduced the [[Anti-Social Behaviour Order]]s (ASBOs).


	Although New Labour was regarded as basically continuing ~~Thatcher’s~~ policies, there were striking differences between their agendas. New ~~Labour’s~~ approach to the nations of the UK was very different: Prime Minister Blair instigated a process of Devolution, i.e. giving legislative power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A national minimum wage was also agreed on under New Labour, and the Social Charter of the Maastricht Treaty was eventually signed by Britain, which had been rejected by ~~Thatcher’s~~ administration. In general, New Labour was much more pro-European than it used to be before its renewal.		Although New Labour was regarded as basically continuing Thatche's policies, there were striking differences between their agendas. New Labour's approach to the nations of the UK was very different: Prime Minister Blair instigated a process of Devolution, i.e. giving legislative power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A national minimum wage was also agreed on under New Labour, and the Social Charter of the Maastricht Treaty was eventually signed by Britain, which had been rejected by Thatcher's administration. In general, New Labour was much more pro-European than it used to be before its renewal.

	Some of ~~Blair’s~~ polices were very controversial in the Labour Party, which is why he is sometimes said to have had a presidential way of leading the party. In general, it can be said that New Labour broadly embraced a new form of consensus, i.e. policies that were in accordance with the ones established by the previous government, but there were also striking differences. The shortcomings of the Thatcher administration were intended to be changed and there was a much stronger focus on social policies and attitudes towards society and its communities but, overall, New Labour followed a new liberal way opened up by Thatcher~~. Due to this, Blair and his cabinet were referred to as ‘Thatcher’s children’ [by whom?]~~.		Some of Blair's polices were very controversial in the Labour Party, which is why he is sometimes said to have had a presidential way of leading the party. In general, it can be said that New Labour broadly embraced a new form of consensus, i.e. policies that were in accordance with the ones established by the previous government, but there were also striking differences. The shortcomings of the Thatcher administration were intended to be changed and there was a much stronger focus on social policies and attitudes towards society and its communities but, overall, New Labour followed a new liberal way opened up by Thatcher.

	Sources:		== Sources ==
			*Kamm, Jürgen & Bernd Lenz. ''Großbritannien Verstehen''. Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 2004.
	Kamm, Jürgen & Bernd Lenz. ''Großbritannien Verstehen''. Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 2004.

Pankratz at 16:04, 23 November 2011

2011-11-23T16:04:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:04, 23 November 2011
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	Label given to the Labour Party under Tony Blair.		Label given to the Labour Party under Tony Blair. The adjective 'new' refers to a change of policies and self-image in the direction of a social democratic party (as opposed to the socialist and working-class 'Old' Labour Party).

	~~The new manifesto and orientation of the Labour Party were designed by Tony Blair and his shadow cabinet in a phase of a renewal of the party before~~ the ~~election campaign in 1997. The adjective ‘new’, consequently~~, ~~refers to changed and amended policies that were intended to improve~~ the ~~chances~~ of ~~being elected, as there were fewer manual workers. For this reason~~, the Labour Party was trying to ~~broaden~~ their ~~capacity of reaching~~ middle-class voters and thereby shifting from the left to the 'radical centre'. This ~~approach allowed New Labour to stress their view that the market was not social but that the best way to resolve this problem would be~~ a ~~way~~ between socialism ~~and liberalism~~, which was called ~~‘the~~ Third ~~Way’~~. ~~The remodelling of the party found its basis in~~ the amendment of ~~‘Clause 4’~~ of the party statutes. ~~The Labour Party changed the following passage~~:
			In the 1990s, mainly during the leadership of [[Tony Blair]], the Labour Party was trying to strengthen their appeal to middle-class voters and thereby shifting from the (working-class) left to the 'radical centre'. This included a compromise formation between neo-liberal monetarism (in Britain known as Thatcherism) and Old Labour socialism, which was called the 'Third Way'. This is indicated by the amendment of 'Clause 4' of the party statutes. In its original version of 1918 Clause 4 read:

	To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.		To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.

	The ~~amended~~ version reads as follows:		The new version of 1994 reads as follows:

	The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect.		The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect.

	Its dedication to public ownership was changed to a commitment to an economy which was ~~capitalistic~~ in principle, however, including social redistribution of wealth. By changing its constitution, the party ~~wanted to demonstrate that is was internally and externally democratic. At the same time, it rejected radical socialism and labourism, which was meant to be~~ substituted by a social pragmatism. The essence of these changes was a commitment to liberal markets, which were supplemented with communitarian policies, i.e. social groups and private incentives. The privatisation policies introduced by Margaret Thatcher were not reversed, but New Labour created incentives to set up projects to make the private sector invest. Under Tony Blair, New Labour made huge investments by subsidising jobs for less skilled workers. Additionally, there was a focus on public-private partnerships and incentives for private companies to invest in the public sector in exchange for profitable returns. As a consequence to the party’s interventionism, there was an explosion of government activity, as more money was spent on the public sector and the creation of new government bodies, e.g. the so-called ~~‘social exclusion unit’~~. Blair’s approach to ~~law~~ and ~~order~~ is best expressed by his catchphrase ~~‘tough~~ on crime/zero ~~tolerance’~~, which resulted in stricter anti-social behaviour laws. ~~There~~ was a ~~high increase~~ of ~~government activity~~, which ~~resulted~~ in ~~highly increasing debt~~.		Its dedication to public ownership was changed to a commitment to an economy which was capitalist in principle, however, including social redistribution of wealth. By changing its constitution, the party substituted a clearly socialist political stance by social pragmatism. The essence of these changes was a commitment to liberal markets, which were supplemented with communitarian policies, i.e. social groups and private incentives. The privatisation policies introduced by Margaret Thatcher were not reversed, but New Labour created incentives to set up projects to make the private sector invest. Under Tony Blair, New Labour made huge investments by subsidising jobs for less skilled workers. Additionally, there was a focus on public-private partnerships and incentives for private companies to invest in the public sector in exchange for profitable returns. As a consequence to the party’s interventionism, there was an explosion of government activity, as more money was spent on the public sector and the creation of new government bodies, e.g. the so-called Social Exclusion Unit. Blair’s approach to Law and Order is best expressed by his catchphrase "tough on crime/zero tolerance", which resulted in stricter anti-social behaviour laws.


			Although New Labour was regarded as basically continuing Thatcher’s policies, there were striking differences between their agendas. New Labour’s approach to the nations of the UK was very different: Prime Minister Blair instigated a process of Devolution, i.e. giving legislative power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A national minimum wage was also agreed on under New Labour, and the Social Charter of the Maastricht Treaty was eventually signed by Britain, which had been rejected by Thatcher’s administration. In general, New Labour was much more pro-European than it used to be before its renewal.

			Some of Blair’s polices were very controversial in the Labour Party, which is why he is sometimes said to have had a presidential way of leading the party. In general, it can be said that New Labour broadly embraced a new form of consensus, i.e. policies that were in accordance with the ones established by the previous government, but there were also striking differences. The shortcomings of the Thatcher administration were intended to be changed and there was a much stronger focus on social policies and attitudes towards society and its communities but, overall, New Labour followed a new liberal way opened up by Thatcher. Due to this, Blair and his cabinet were referred to as ‘Thatcher’s children’ [by whom?].

			Sources:

	~~Although New Labour was regarded as basically continuing Thatcher’s policies~~, ~~there were also striking differences between their agendas~~. New Labour’s approach to the other parts of the UK was very different, which is often referred to as ‘devolution’, i.e. devolving legislative power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A national minimum wage was also agreed on under New Labour, and the Social Charter of the Maastricht Treaty was eventually signed by Britain, which had been rejected by Thatcher’s administration. In general, New Labour was much more pro-European than it used to be before its renewal.		Kamm, Jürgen & Bernd Lenz. ''Großbritannien Verstehen''. Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 2004.
	Some of Blair’s polices were very controversial in the Labour Party, which is why he is sometimes said to have had a presidential way of leading the party. In general, it can be said that New Labour broadly embraced a new form of consensus, i.e. policies that were in accordance with the ones established by the previous government, but there were also striking differences. The shortcomings of the Thatcher administration were intended to be changed and there was a much stronger focus on social policies and attitudes towards society and its communities but, overall, New Labour followed a new liberal way opened up by Thatcher. ~~Due to this~~, ~~Blair and his cabinet were referred to as ‘Thatcher’s children’~~.

Pankratz at 18:36, 14 November 2011

2011-11-14T18:36:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:36, 14 November 2011
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	~~New Labour is the designation~~ given to the Labour Party under Tony Blair. The new manifesto and orientation of the Labour Party were designed by Tony Blair and his shadow cabinet in a phase of a renewal of the party before the election campaign in 1997. The adjective ‘new’, consequently, refers to changed and amended policies that were intended to improve the chances of being elected, as there were fewer manual workers. For this reason, the Labour Party was trying to broaden their capacity of reaching middle class voters and thereby shifting from the left to the ~~‘radical centre’~~. This approach allowed New Labour to stress their view that the market was not social but that the best way to resolve this problem would be a way between socialism and liberalism, which was called ‘the Third Way’. The remodelling of the party found its basis in the amendment of ‘Clause 4’ of the party statutes. The Labour Party changed the following passage:		Label given to the Labour Party under Tony Blair.

			The new manifesto and orientation of the Labour Party were designed by Tony Blair and his shadow cabinet in a phase of a renewal of the party before the election campaign in 1997. The adjective ‘new’, consequently, refers to changed and amended policies that were intended to improve the chances of being elected, as there were fewer manual workers. For this reason, the Labour Party was trying to broaden their capacity of reaching middle-class voters and thereby shifting from the left to the 'radical centre'. This approach allowed New Labour to stress their view that the market was not social but that the best way to resolve this problem would be a way between socialism and liberalism, which was called ‘the Third Way’. The remodelling of the party found its basis in the amendment of ‘Clause 4’ of the party statutes. The Labour Party changed the following passage:

	To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.		To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.

WikiSysop at 11:33, 18 July 2011

2011-07-18T11:33:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:33, 18 July 2011
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	Its dedication to public ownership was changed to a commitment to an economy which was capitalistic in principle, however, including social redistribution of wealth. By changing its constitution, the party wanted to demonstrate that is was internally and externally democratic. At the same time, it rejected radical socialism and labourism, which was meant to be substituted by a social pragmatism. The essence of these changes was a commitment to liberal markets, which were supplemented with communitarian policies, i.e. social groups and private incentives. The privatisation policies introduced by Margaret Thatcher were not reversed, but New Labour created incentives to set up projects to make the private sector invest. Under Tony Blair, New Labour made huge investments by subsidising jobs for less skilled workers. Additionally, there was a focus on public-private partnerships and incentives for private companies to invest in the public sector in exchange for profitable returns. As a consequence to the party’s interventionism, there was an explosion of government activity, as more money was spent on the public sector and the creation of new government bodies, e.g. the so-called ‘social exclusion unit’. Blair’s approach to law and order is best expressed by his catchphrase ‘tough on crime/zero tolerance’, which resulted in stricter anti-social behaviour laws. There was a high increase of government activity, which resulted in highly increasing debt.		Its dedication to public ownership was changed to a commitment to an economy which was capitalistic in principle, however, including social redistribution of wealth. By changing its constitution, the party wanted to demonstrate that is was internally and externally democratic. At the same time, it rejected radical socialism and labourism, which was meant to be substituted by a social pragmatism. The essence of these changes was a commitment to liberal markets, which were supplemented with communitarian policies, i.e. social groups and private incentives. The privatisation policies introduced by Margaret Thatcher were not reversed, but New Labour created incentives to set up projects to make the private sector invest. Under Tony Blair, New Labour made huge investments by subsidising jobs for less skilled workers. Additionally, there was a focus on public-private partnerships and incentives for private companies to invest in the public sector in exchange for profitable returns. As a consequence to the party’s interventionism, there was an explosion of government activity, as more money was spent on the public sector and the creation of new government bodies, e.g. the so-called ‘social exclusion unit’. Blair’s approach to law and order is best expressed by his catchphrase ‘tough on crime/zero tolerance’, which resulted in stricter anti-social behaviour laws. There was a high increase of government activity, which resulted in highly increasing debt.
	Although New Labour was regarded as basically continuing Thatcher’s policies, there were also striking differences between their agendas. New Labour’s approach to the other parts of the UK was very different, which is often referred to as ‘devolution’, i.e. devolving legislative power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A national minimum wage was also agreed on under New Labour, and the Social Charter of the Maastricht Treaty was eventually signed by Britain, which had been rejected by Thatcher’s administration. In general, New Labour was much more pro-European than it used to be before its renewal.
			Although New Labour was regarded as basically continuing Thatcher’s policies, there were also striking differences between their agendas. New Labour’s approach to the other parts of the UK was very different, which is often referred to as ‘devolution’, i.e. devolving legislative power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A national minimum wage was also agreed on under New Labour, and the Social Charter of the Maastricht Treaty was eventually signed by Britain, which had been rejected by Thatcher’s administration. In general, New Labour was much more pro-European than it used to be before its renewal.
	Some of Blair’s polices were very controversial in the Labour Party, which is why he is sometimes said to have had a presidential way of leading the party. In general, it can be said that New Labour broadly embraced a new form of consensus, i.e. policies that were in accordance with the ones established by the previous government, but there were also striking differences. The shortcomings of the Thatcher administration were intended to be changed and there was a much stronger focus on social policies and attitudes towards society and its communities but, overall, New Labour followed a new liberal way opened up by Thatcher. Due to this, Blair and his cabinet were referred to as ‘Thatcher’s children’.		Some of Blair’s polices were very controversial in the Labour Party, which is why he is sometimes said to have had a presidential way of leading the party. In general, it can be said that New Labour broadly embraced a new form of consensus, i.e. policies that were in accordance with the ones established by the previous government, but there were also striking differences. The shortcomings of the Thatcher administration were intended to be changed and there was a much stronger focus on social policies and attitudes towards society and its communities but, overall, New Labour followed a new liberal way opened up by Thatcher. Due to this, Blair and his cabinet were referred to as ‘Thatcher’s children’.

Peterbbh at 22:23, 24 May 2011

2011-05-24T22:23:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:23, 24 May 2011
Line 1:		Line 1:
	New Labour is the designation given to the Labour Party under Tony Blair.		New Labour is the designation given to the Labour Party under Tony Blair. The new manifesto and orientation of the Labour Party were designed by Tony Blair and his shadow cabinet in a phase of a renewal of the party before the election campaign in 1997. The adjective ‘new’, consequently, refers to changed and amended policies that were intended to improve the chances of being elected, as there were fewer manual workers. For this reason, the Labour Party was trying to broaden their capacity of reaching middle class voters and thereby shifting from the left to the ‘radical centre’. This approach allowed New Labour to stress their view that the market was not social but that the best way to resolve this problem would be a way between socialism and liberalism, which was called ‘the Third Way’. The remodelling of the party found its basis in the amendment of ‘Clause 4’ of the party statutes. The Labour Party changed the following passage:

			To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.

			The amended version reads as follows:

			The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect.

			Its dedication to public ownership was changed to a commitment to an economy which was capitalistic in principle, however, including social redistribution of wealth. By changing its constitution, the party wanted to demonstrate that is was internally and externally democratic. At the same time, it rejected radical socialism and labourism, which was meant to be substituted by a social pragmatism. The essence of these changes was a commitment to liberal markets, which were supplemented with communitarian policies, i.e. social groups and private incentives. The privatisation policies introduced by Margaret Thatcher were not reversed, but New Labour created incentives to set up projects to make the private sector invest. Under Tony Blair, New Labour made huge investments by subsidising jobs for less skilled workers. Additionally, there was a focus on public-private partnerships and incentives for private companies to invest in the public sector in exchange for profitable returns. As a consequence to the party’s interventionism, there was an explosion of government activity, as more money was spent on the public sector and the creation of new government bodies, e.g. the so-called ‘social exclusion unit’. Blair’s approach to law and order is best expressed by his catchphrase ‘tough on crime/zero tolerance’, which resulted in stricter anti-social behaviour laws. There was a high increase of government activity, which resulted in highly increasing debt.
			Although New Labour was regarded as basically continuing Thatcher’s policies, there were also striking differences between their agendas. New Labour’s approach to the other parts of the UK was very different, which is often referred to as ‘devolution’, i.e. devolving legislative power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A national minimum wage was also agreed on under New Labour, and the Social Charter of the Maastricht Treaty was eventually signed by Britain, which had been rejected by Thatcher’s administration. In general, New Labour was much more pro-European than it used to be before its renewal.
			Some of Blair’s polices were very controversial in the Labour Party, which is why he is sometimes said to have had a presidential way of leading the party. In general, it can be said that New Labour broadly embraced a new form of consensus, i.e. policies that were in accordance with the ones established by the previous government, but there were also striking differences. The shortcomings of the Thatcher administration were intended to be changed and there was a much stronger focus on social policies and attitudes towards society and its communities but, overall, New Labour followed a new liberal way opened up by Thatcher. Due to this, Blair and his cabinet were referred to as ‘Thatcher’s children’.

Peterbbh: Created page with 'New Labour is the designation given to the Labour Party under Tony Blair.'

2011-05-17T17:55:02Z

Created page with 'New Labour is the designation given to the Labour Party under Tony Blair.'

New page

New Labour is the designation given to the Labour Party under Tony Blair.