One major difference between 'Old' and 'New' Labour were their manifesto promises over taxation. Stated in the 1983 Labour manifesto was "ensuring the pound is competitive; and hold back prices through action on VAT…". Tony Blair realised that if he was going to win not just working but also middle and upper class support over the Tories of Liberal Democrats, he could not pledge to take their money away from them. Labours definite move away from 'taxing the rich and giving to the workers' was boldly marked out in their 1997 manifesto - "There will be no increase in the basic or tip rates of income tax".
Another major change in Labour ideology came when Labour announced in their manifesto that they would need to "put our relations with the trade unions on a modern footing where they can get fairness but no favours from a Labour government". This was a major step away from the left by Tony Blair. Before 1997 Labour and trade unions came hand in hand. It was the trade unions that effectively founded Labour and that have been feeding it with members since its origin. In the 1920's over 70% of Labour MP's were from a working class background. In New Labour the majority of MP's have a university degree. The trade unions used to have a strangle hold on Labour policy with their use of 'block voting'. Tony Blair has succeeded in breaking down the relationship between trade unions and the party. MP's are no longer effectively appointed by pressure groups or organisations but by "ordinary party members" (as stated in '97 manifesto). This has changed the nature of people running for parliament dramatically within the Labour party.
Old Labour were heavily in favour of the NHS. John Smith in 1983 would not compromise over policy to do with NHS - it had to be public and it had to be improved by funding through taxation. New Labour is moving slowly towards the possibility of PPP in the NHS. Tony Blair is in favour of privately owned, previously public 'Foundation Hospitals'. New Labour are still in favour of the NHS and mention in their manifesto - "we will rebuild the NHS, reducing spending on administration and increasing spending on patient care" however, the prospect of a hospital being privately owned is now openly discussed in Labour headquarters.
New Labour have taken a tough stance on crime. Obviously no government is going to have a relaxed attitude to crime written into their manifesto - but, crime is not mentioned in the Labours 1983 manifesto to any large degree. Old Labour were always known to blame crime on the society which it occurred in and not the individual who committed it. New Labour have decided to take a right-of-centre stance on crime, again making them more popular in the middle classes, by stating in their manifesto - "we will be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime…". Tony Blair is consistently promising reform of prison systems and the whole criminal justice system. Since September 11 2001, Tony Blair has had to make policy on terrorist prevention. He did so in a very right wing manor, such as making laws by which the police can detain a terrorist suspect indefinitely. Security and criminal policy such as that would have been far too right wing even for a Thatcher government yet they have been passed under a Labour one. This is prime example of how Labour are moving to the right.
Another major point of contrast between old and new labour is the subject of Europe. Tony Blair is distinctly pro-European; however, there are still remnants of old labour within Blair's government who are Euro-sceptic. Even today Labour's line on European issues such as the Euro Dollar is unclear. Even so, New Labour are distinctly more pro-European than Old Labour despite all the bickering which goes on between Labour MP's. In the 1997 Labour manifesto the Tony Blair makes it clear that Britain shall continue to try and climb the ladder of influence in Europe - "We will give Britain the leadership in Europe which Britain and Europe need". This is in stark contrast to the 1983 Labour manifesto which expresses deep dislike of the EEC and promises to - "introduce the necessary legislation, to prepare for Britain's withdrawal from the EEC…". Tony Blair is now firmly in favour of the EEC, this highlights dramatically the extent to which Blair has changed the Labour Party.
Labour has changed dramatically since Tony Blair's renovation of the Party. Even though the party do still implement the occasional 'old' Labour policy, New Labour would find it hard to argue convincingly that they anything left of centre. But anyone would find it hard to argue convincingly that New Labour are anything but a vastly popular party - despite turning their back on the values of their predecessors.
