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Old labour were a socialist party, whereas the theory of communism stipulates that the "state" will after time be eradicated socialism and Old Labour fervently believes that the state is a necessity within the system of government. They believed in a significant reduction in economic equality through progressive taxation, state ownership, unemployment as a far greater evil than inflation, an intimate link with the unions, constitutional change as relatively unimportant and perhaps most importantly it is better to lose elections than lose ones principles .

New Labour has a centrist belief system originating from Neil Kinnocks and Michael Foot's reinvention of the Labour Party. Tony Blair christened 'New Labour' with the political doctrine of the third way, this involves a compromise between social democracy and classical liberalism, ultimately creating a mesh of political ideas. It favors a public/private mix in industry- look up Labour's Clause IV- New labour believes in equality of opportunity regardless of outcome (Emily's List-notable, minimum wage), that on balance, inflation is a greater evil that unemployment, unions should be kept at an arms length, business interests should be courted, that consitutional change is important (Note- Good Friday Agreement-(98), Wales/Scottish Devolution(97), Elected Mayors (98), Regional Assembly for North-East (2004)

Ultimately though New Labour are willing to put aside 'principles' in the attempt to winning elections. Note in exam comment on the shift back to Old Labour - 50% Tax on 150,000 very very Old Labour, Nationalization of Banks.

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16y ago

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