Ideological Development of the Conservative Party - Coursework Example

Ideological Development of the Conservative Party The conservative party in the United Kingdom has come a long way. The party has been in existence since the early 1800’s (Ingle, 2008:29). As times have been changing, party policies and agenda change in each era. Although this is expected, the changes have been reported to impact parties significantly. Ideological development is necessary as the advancement allows the party to compete with upcoming parties in new political eras. Having been in existence for the longest time, the modern conservative party has different policies. It is through these policies that the party has managed to achieve many of it successes. However, the policies are amended on several occasions. These have come because of defeats and successes in the political journey. With each new leadership of the party, new ideologies, strategies and policies arise. The modern conservative party under the leadership of David Cameron describes what the party has become in recent times. Before 1975, the conservative party held on to traditional pragmatism and strongly believed in the one state conservatism. Conservatism originated from Edmund Burke. He expressed his beliefs and ideas, which were philosophical but applied them politically. He formed the new principle of conservatism based on his understanding of nature, and definition of society. According to him, civil institutions had a religious origin. He believed societal progress was purely divine and that the state was an institution meant to help man govern himself better. Therefore, individuals holding public office had the obligation to govern from a divine origin. He urged them to hold office with honesty. The one state conservatism had two aspects: social and political. The social aspect of the one state conservatism sought to ensure that there existed an inclusion system. Inclusion involved ensuring that economically and socially, all had access to advances. The party sought to end the alienation suffered by some groups in society. The alienations affected the groups that immediate actions had to be taken. Politically, the one state conservatism sought to introduce a coalition in terms of support. The one state conservatism believed in the existence of a state and elaborated the responsibilities of the state. This conservatism concentrated on social aspects of the people. In 1975, Margaret Thatcher became the party leader and sought to redefine the ideologies established by her predecessors. In efforts to redefine her ideologies, Thatcher started by first establishing a new definition for conservatism. According to her, conservatism was supposed to start from an individualistic point of view. She narrowed down society to individuals who had their unique needs. It was logical then to address the individual needs of each person before going to families and later to the community. Being an enthusiastic woman, she challenged the traditional pragmatism that change needed to be m taken slowly. In her idealism, change could be as well as be radical. Due to her enthusiasm for change, the ideologies of her time received the name ‘thatcherian agenda’. She did not support the gradual approach to change. She had the determination to put her ideologies into practice. During her period, Thatcher believed in practical politics. Her agenda was touched on classical liberalism, neo-liberalism, and free market (Ingle, 2008:34). Just like any other leader, Hatcher faced criticism on her agenda because some analysts thought that her ideas countered each other at some point. In fact, some people seem fully opposed to her ideas. However, her long reign gave her enough time to establish some of her ideologies and thus she gained popularity. Due to her liberal ideas, she was a vessel for the establishment of free markets. Further, she advocated for privatization of industries. Throughout her period, she achieved much. Her greatest achievement was the reduction of strikes by enforcing strong policies on unions. In her regime, unions were responsible for the blame if they could not stop the rioters. Her ideologies were not very popular and they brought disintegration of the party unity. Some opposed her ideologies and the victory of the party depended on her other achievements. Thatcher established the economic policy that terminated controls on prices. Privatization of state-owned industries and change of the property owning law were other practical ideas of her ideologies. In addition, life of each individual changed for the better. Her ideologies still affect the current ideas of the current conservative party. The neo-conservatism and neo-liberalism ideologies represent the new right era. Her successors have been making modifications on the new right ideology, adopting some aspects and leaving out others. Thatcher’s ideologies brought about the necessity for change in Britain. In the previous pragmatism, people considered change dangerous. In that era, change needed no prior planning. Change just happened in that era. Evidently, Thatcher brought in a new wave. The new wave made the voter realize that change was necessary. She connected with the voter closely by ensuring over taxation and any form of oppression no longer existed. Her radicalism was the motivation for her successors to advocate for change. Her ideals, policies greatly define what the modern conservative party has become. In the subsequent years, Thatcher’s successors did not do well in party politics and often lost in elections. However, their ideologies carried part of Thatcher’s dreams. Thatcher wanted to change the politics of the region and the individual’s life. Major, her immediate successor, had her agenda in mind. Following Major were Blair and Brown as leaders of the conservative party (Ingle, 2008:35). In 2005, when David Cameron took over leadership, he introduced some new ideologies. However, Cameron describes himself as a liberalist and is not into ideologies. Cameron redefined some of Thatcher’s ideologies. According to Cameron, there is a society in existence. This society forms the biggest part of his agenda. In his view, society has been through a break- down brought about by the Labor Party government. The society needs rebuilding. The government cannot do it on its own each individual must contribute. Transforming society is not an easy task. He believes in attaching value to the family unity because changing the family will change the entire society. According to Cameron, rebuilding society involves making available public services. Introduction of public services is in a bid to empower communities and improve their status. In his call to rebuild the British society, he urges people to consider voluntary work as a way to contribute. In his opinion, local governments deserve more power. Devolving power to the local governments will ensure that councils bring change to the lowest level (Ingle, 2008:37). In his elaboration, politicians have always held the power; it is time for the people. In addition, Cameron supports the welfare reform bill. This bill cuts on allowances and benefits that different groups of people enjoy. He seeks to promote the essence of work. In an era where some people receive too much benefit that they can live comfortably without working, Cameron advocates for working citizens. Criticism of the welfare is rampant especially concerning benefits to the disabled. Cameron is compelled to establish an economic policy that can improve the economic status of Britain, as times are tough. Economic growth and development requires proper planning. Worth noting, the increasing inflation and stagnation in economic growth in Britain needs radicalism in the economic sector. Despite the hard times, Cameron believes that the economy can stabilize, but believe that much need to be done. In the recent economic times, unemployment is on the rise. Despite the negative indication from the first quarter of the financial year, he is determined that his financial policy will work. He has established a tax reduction plan affecting workers and business owners. Cameron believes in radical change and wants to change society. His ideologies target the big society because he believes in the existence of a society. However, he addresses it from the family view. Thatcher addresses the issue from an individual’s level. Cameron’s ideologies have aspects borrowed from Thatcher’s ideas (Ingle, 2008:36). He is committed to bring change to the society in different aspects. Although, they belong to different ages, they share the enthusiasm to bring practical change to the people. Cameron is seeking to restore morality, peace, unity, to the family unit. Included in the social policy are plans of eliminating and minimizing social ills such as drugs, crimes, and family chaos. In conclusion, this paper has evidenced that the conservative party has come a long way in terms of the time it has been in existence and in ideologies. The ideologies remain relevant since they are still in place. This is so since the modern conservative party as defined by Cameron still has aspects borrowed from the Thatcher agenda. Despite its stumbling to earn the name the nasty party, Cameron is struggling to rebuild the policies and modernize conservatism. Thatcher’s ideologies still stand influential although the current leaders have to embrace other changes from society. As times change, the agenda shifts. The modern conservatism only stands a chance to bring change in the United Kingdom if it establishes worthwhile policies and strategies. The voter is more analytical of ideologies and craves for change and the conservatives must deliver. Bibliography Ingle, S. 2008. The British Party System: an introduction. London: Routledge. Read More