 starter activity You will be given a series of cards describing origins, ideologies & policies of the three major parties or minor parties. Sort them accordingly.  Can you see any links between the parties?

What are the ideological differences between the parties? (Lib-Dems & other parties) To be able to explain the origin, ideological characteristics and recent policy changes within the Lib Dems To be able to describe the key policies of a selection of minor parties To assess the extent to which UK parties have become ‘catch all’ parties  Learning objectives

 Your task Read p.88-9 and note down the following in your table: Read p.88-9 and note down the following in your table: Origins and early history of the Lib-Dems Origins and early history of the Lib-Dems Party ideology Party ideology Recent developments Recent developments  Extension. Can you spot any similarities between Lib-Dems and other political parties?  Extension. Can you spot any similarities between Lib-Dems and other political parties?

Origins Liber – means ‘free’ Liber – means ‘free’ Nineteenth century Liberalism – associated with freedom of individual, equality, govt by popular consent & tolerance Nineteenth century Liberalism – associated with freedom of individual, equality, govt by popular consent & tolerance Modern day Lib-Dem Party – formed in 1988 with merger of Liberal Party & Social Democratic Party (SDP) Modern day Lib-Dem Party – formed in 1988 with merger of Liberal Party & Social Democratic Party (SDP) William Gladstone, ‘Grand Old Man’ of Liberal politics

Ideology Early C20th – Labour adopted Liberal reforms, e.g. on National Insurance as part of Welfare State Early C20th – Labour adopted Liberal reforms, e.g. on National Insurance as part of Welfare State Later C20th – New Right adopted Liberal principles on economy – promoting laissez faire and freedom from state intervention in business Later C20th – New Right adopted Liberal principles on economy – promoting laissez faire and freedom from state intervention in business Pro-European – supporters of Euro & closer integration Pro-European – supporters of Euro & closer integration

Recent developments Lib-Lab Pact – , Liberal spokesmen consulted by Labour ministers on key legislation Lib-Lab Pact – , Liberal spokesmen consulted by Labour ministers on key legislation Lib-Dems, new party formed with members of Labour right (SDP) Lib-Dems, new party formed with members of Labour right (SDP) Growth in support – distinctive policies, e.g. anti-war, tuition fees & pro-Europe, e.g won 22% vote (62 MPs) Growth in support – distinctive policies, e.g. anti-war, tuition fees & pro-Europe, e.g won 22% vote (62 MPs)

Recent developments Move to right – embracing market principles, traditional Conservative territory Move to right – embracing market principles, traditional Conservative territory Move to left – championing abolition of tuition fees & civil liberties issues, e.g. opposition to Anti-Terrorism legislation Move to left – championing abolition of tuition fees & civil liberties issues, e.g. opposition to Anti-Terrorism legislation Pragmatism – adoption of middle way in UK politics Pragmatism – adoption of middle way in UK politics Coalition government – criticism over compromises to manifesto pledges, allegations they lack mandate, e.g. increases to tuition top up fees Coalition government – criticism over compromises to manifesto pledges, allegations they lack mandate, e.g. increases to tuition top up fees

 Extension task Visit the Lib-Dem Party website and get the latest updates on Conservative policy on: Visit the Lib-Dem Party website and get the latest updates on Conservative policy on: Education – tuition fees Education – tuition fees Public services – spending review Public services – spending review Foreign policy – War in Afghanistan Foreign policy – War in Afghanistan Coalition government – find out how many & which Lib-Dems are part of the coalition govt Coalition government – find out how many & which Lib-Dems are part of the coalition govt

 Your task Imagine you are holding a press conference with Nick Clegg & Vince Cable. Choose someone to represent the above. The rest of you should think of appropriate questions to ask using your role cards. Imagine you are holding a press conference with Nick Clegg & Vince Cable. Choose someone to represent the above. The rest of you should think of appropriate questions to ask using your role cards.

 Your task Read p and take notes on a selection of minor parties. Read p and take notes on a selection of minor parties.  Extension. How has the role of these parties changed since the publication of your text book? Have their policies become more or less pertinent?  Extension. How has the role of these parties changed since the publication of your text book? Have their policies become more or less pertinent?

 Homework Now have a go at Q3 (a-c) of the January 2010 paper. Now have a go at Q3 (a-c) of the January 2010 paper. Write your previous targets at the top of your paper

Plenary Plenary Liberalism? Liberalism? Success since WWII? Success since WWII? Coalition govt? Coalition govt?  Extension. Do you think the Coalition Government lacks a clear mandate?  Extension. Do you think the Coalition Government lacks a clear mandate? Student protests against plans to increase tuition fees, London, November 2010