UK A-Levels Politics Practice Exam

In the context of Old Labour, what was the main value that guided their policies?

1. Economic growth

2. Equality

3. Global competition

4. Democratic socialism

The correct answer is: Equality

The main value that guided Old Labour policies was indeed equality. Old Labour, which is associated with the Labour Party's traditional approach before the shift towards New Labour in the 1990s, focused on social justice, workers' rights, and reducing inequality in society. Their policies were aimed at establishing a more equal distribution of wealth and opportunities, reinforcing the welfare state, and promoting social welfare programs. This approach stemmed from the party’s roots in trade unionism and socialist thought, which emphasized collective responsibility and ensuring the welfare of all citizens. While economic growth, global competition, and democratic socialism are relevant concepts, they do not encapsulate the principal focus of Old Labour as effectively as equality does. Economic growth was often seen as a means to an end rather than a primary goal, global competition fell outside the traditional scope of Old Labour's concerns, and while democratic socialism aligns with some of the party’s principles, it is the pursuit of equality that distinctly characterizes the ethos and direction of their policies during that era.