Introduction

This chapter begins by more closely examining the prevailing orthodoxies on New Labour in contemporary historiography, political science and popular commentary. After 1979, Labour’s policy prospectus changed appreciably as a consequence of the development of ideas. The overhaul of the party’s agenda was more than an expedient reaction to defeat. The influence of ideas is ever present in the Labour Party’s evolving fortunes. It is striking that in the 1987 election, Labour struggled to define an intellectually appealing programme. New Labour emphasised symbolic measures from helping the low paid through tax credits to investment in human capital. New Labour arose as the crisis after 1979 compelled the reformulation of the Left’s dominant ideas. The claim that New Labour and neo-liberalism are indistinguishable became received wisdom among numerous scholars of British politics, commentators and leading politicians. Time and again, the argument about New Labour and Thatcherism resurfaces. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.