22.6.3 UK and US: The policy profiles of the two main parties in each country

Overview of Party Policy Profiles

UK Political Parties

Conservative Party (UK)

Economic Policy:

• Traditionally advocates for free-market principles, low taxation, and reduced government intervention in the economy.

• Recent years have seen a shift towards more interventionist policies, particularly under Boris Johnson, with initiatives like "levelling up" to address regional inequalities.

• Austerity measures implemented post-2010 aimed at reducing the budget deficit, though these have faced criticism for increasing social inequality. Healthcare:

• Strongly supports the National Health Service (NHS) but advocates for reforms to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

• Promotes the idea of public-private partnerships within the NHS, though this is a contentious issue within the party and the electorate. Education:

• Focus on expanding school choice, including support for academies and free schools, which operate independently of local authority control.

• Advocates for rigorous academic standards and more vocational training to meet the needs of the economy. Foreign Policy:

• Traditionally pro-NATO and supportive of a strong military presence globally.

• Post-Brexit, the party emphasizes "Global Britain," seeking to expand trade relationships beyond the EU and asserting the UK's role on the global stage. Social Issues:

• Generally conservative on social issues, though there has been some liberalization in recent years, particularly on issues like same-sex marriage.

• Immigration has been a key issue, with policies aimed at reducing numbers and tightening border controls.

Labour Party (UK)

Economic Policy:

• Advocates for a mixed economy with significant government intervention to reduce inequality and promote social justice.

• Supports higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations to fund public services.

• Post-2008 financial crisis, Labour has called for increased public investment and an end to austerity measures. Healthcare:

• Strong defender of the NHS, advocating for increased funding and opposing privatization.

• Policies often include proposals to reduce waiting times, improve mental health services, and expand access to healthcare. Education:

• Advocates for increased funding for education, particularly for early years and higher education.

• Proposes the abolition of tuition fees for university students, arguing that education should be free at the point of use. Foreign Policy:

• Traditionally more skeptical of military intervention, with a focus on diplomacy and international cooperation.

• Supports disarmament and has called for a reassessment of the UK's nuclear deterrent. Social Issues:

• Progressive on social issues, advocating for equality and anti-discrimination measures.

• Strongly supports workers' rights, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights.

US Political Parties

Republican Party (US)

Economic Policy:

• Strongly advocates for free-market capitalism, low taxes, and limited government regulation.

• Supports tax cuts, particularly for businesses and high-income individuals, arguing that this stimulates economic growth.

• Opposes large-scale government spending on social programs, preferring private sector solutions. Healthcare:

• Opposes government-run healthcare, favoring private health insurance and market-based solutions.

• Seeks to repeal or scale back the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), arguing it imposes too many costs on businesses and individuals. Education:

• Supports school choice, including charter schools and voucher programs that allow parents to choose private or religious schools for their children.

• Advocates for local control of education, opposing federal involvement in setting educational standards. Foreign Policy:

• Emphasizes strong national defense, military spending, and a robust stance against perceived threats from countries like China, Russia, and Iran.

• Generally sceptical of international agreements that are seen to limit US sovereignty, such as the Paris Climate Agreement. Social Issues:

• Conservative on social issues, opposing abortion, advocating for traditional family values, and resisting efforts to expand LGBTQ+ rights.

• Supports stricter immigration controls and law-and-order policies.

Democratic Party (US)

Economic Policy:

• Advocates for a more active role for the government in regulating the economy and reducing inequality.

• Supports higher taxes on the wealthy to fund social programs and public services.

• Promotes policies aimed at increasing the minimum wage, expanding social security, and providing universal healthcare. Healthcare:

• Strongly supports the Affordable Care Act and advocates for expanding healthcare coverage, with some factions within the party pushing for a single-payer system (Medicare for All).

• Emphasizes the need for government involvement in ensuring healthcare access for all citizens. Education:

• Advocates for increased federal funding for education, including initiatives to make community college free and reduce student loan debt.

• Supports expanding access to early childhood education and improving public schools. Foreign Policy:

• Generally advocates for diplomacy and multilateralism, emphasizing the importance of alliances like NATO.

• Supports international agreements on climate change and arms control. Social Issues:

• Progressive on social issues, advocating for reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial and gender equality.

• Supports comprehensive immigration reform, including pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

Comparative Analysis: Policy Profiles of the UK and US Main Parties

Policy Area	Conservative Party (UK)	Republican Party (US)	Labour Party (UK)	Democratic Party (US)
Economic Policy	Free-market principles, low taxes, recent shift to some intervention.	Free-market capitalism, low taxes, limited regulation.	Mixed economy, higher taxes on wealthy, public investment.	Active government role, higher taxes on wealthy, social programs.
Healthcare	Supports NHS with reforms, public-private partnerships.	Opposes government-run healthcare, favours private insurance.	Strong defender of NHS, increased funding, anti-privatization.	Supports ACA, expansion of healthcare coverage, Medicare for All.
Education	Expanding school choice, rigorous standards.	School choice, local control, charter schools, vouchers.	Increased funding, abolition of tuition fees, public education focus.	Increased federal funding, free community college, debt reduction.
Foreign Policy	Pro-NATO, "Global Britain," post-Brexit trade focus.	Strong national defence, sceptical of international agreements.	Sceptical of military intervention, diplomacy focus.	Diplomacy, multilateralism, supports international agreements.
Social Issues	Conservative, some liberalization, immigration controls.	Conservative, traditional family values, stricter immigration.	Progressive, workers' rights, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights.	Progressive, reproductive rights, racial and gender equality.

Conclusion

• UK: The Conservative Party and Labour Party represent distinct policy approaches, with the former leaning towards free-market capitalism and the latter advocating for government intervention to reduce inequality and improve public services. Both parties, however, have had to adapt to changing political landscapes, including Brexit and economic challenges.
• US: The Republican and Democratic parties also showcase divergent policy profiles, with Republicans favouring limited government and free-market solutions, while Democrats push for greater government involvement in addressing social and economic issues. The polarization between the two parties has intensified in recent years, particularly on issues like healthcare, immigration, and social justice.