Another traditional Labour party principle to have been completely abandoned is the ideal of redistribution of income via taxation. Under the traditional views of the labour party, social classes were viewed at the utmost importance, with many policies created to protect the lower classes and the working class. Evidence for this fact comes in the form of Labours’ 1987 manifesto, when it states that “tax cuts which benefited the richest 5 per cent would be reversed. A wealth tax would also be introduced for the richest 1 per cent.” This fact shows that the traditional labour party was willing to overlook the idea of an equal class system. However, by the general election of 1997, the party’s’ manifesto stated that “To encourage work and reward effort, we are pledged not to raise the basic or top rates of income tax throughout the next Parliament.” This shows a complete reversal on the policy of taxation, showing that the traditional labour principal itself had been completely abandoned.
An additional traditional Labour party principle to have been completely abandoned is the ideal of protection of trade unions. The traditional Labour party had always been closely linked with trade unions (and had even been formed out of one in 1906) with the manifesto of the Labour party of the general election in 1987, stated that “legitimate trade union activity was at the utmost importance, and the party would introduce laws which strengthen legal rights of representation and improve the existing protection against unfair dismissal.” However, by the general election of 1997, this principal too was completely abolished, with the Labour manifesto stating that “In industrial relations, we make it clear that there will be no return to flying pickets, secondary action, strikes with no ballots or the trade union law of the 1970s. There will instead be minimum rights for the individual at the workplace, where our aim is partnership not conflict between employers and employees.” This translates to the fact that the party would not change or alter the restrictions on Trade unions put in place under Thatcher, meaning that yet another traditional Labour party principal had been completely abandoned under New Labour.
A further traditional Labour party principle to have been completely abandoned is the principal of public investment to improve the lives of the entire nation. Under the traditional labour party values, public spending and the welfare state were seen as important means in order to cater for every person of the British public. This fact is shown when in the general election manifesto of 1987, it stated that “Public investment will modernise services, help business and industry and stimulate private investment.” However, under the New Labour manifesto of 1997, we are told that the party believes that “The level of public spending is no longer the best measure of the effectiveness of government action in the public interest. It is what money is spent on that counts more than how much money is spent.” This appears to defy and completely abandon the policy of spending more on public services, to achieve equality.
Having said this however, there are some traditional Labour principles that new labour have not completely abandoned. Many traditional Labour principal (like that of abolishing the House of Lords due to the fact that it was not elected by the electorate) have merely been adapted. Instead of abolishing the House of Lords, constitutional reforms have been bought in by New Labour, with hereditary peers being abolished. Furthermore, the traditional principle of unilateral disarmament has been amended, with the view of multilateral disarmament taking its place instead. Additionally, it can be argued that the traditional Labour policy of equality has been adapted, as even though taxation and public spending has gone away from this area, new labour have introduced minimum wage and tax credits to combat this fact.
In conclusion, the labour party has completely abandoned its traditional principles to a large extent; however, many traditional policies still remain in a different form. These policies include disarmament and reform in the House of Lords.
