1997 Election Flashcards
What did Labour promise in 1997?
Cut class size, introduce fast-track punishment system for young offenders, cut NHS waiting lists, get 250,000 unemployed under 25s unto work, cut VAT on heating, not raise income tax
What did the Conservatives promise in 1997?
Economic recovery - however tensions over Europe due to Referendum party and internal divisions
Why was the economy poor in 1997?
The UK had been ejected from the ERM (Exchange Rate Mechanism)
What was the ‘Third way’ and who proposed it?
Blair
A position similar to centrism that draws on elements of left and right wing economic policies: centre-right economic and centre-left social
What was the Conservative slogan?
‘You can only be sure with the Conservatives’
What was the Labour slogan?
‘Because Britain deserves better’
What was a dominant feature of the 1997 campaign? (Think media)
Both sides tried to attack the other
Sleaze - Labour called out sex scandals and financial corruption in the Cons
Conservatives highlighted the dangers of Labour restoring power to the trade unions
What did Labour promise in order to make the UK more democratic?
Devolution
Promised to decentralise power from Westminster in order to create a more democratic UK
Why was the 1997 election a turning point in UK politics?
> It created high levels of cynicism towards parties and politicians
People became disillusioned and apathetic due to minimal differences in party policies
The media focus on sleaze and politicians sounded like robots, as above
Why was it not ‘the economy stupid’ in 1997 that made the Conservatives lose the election? Who was the article written by?
Mark Pack
The economy had begun to improve in 1994 (since Black Wednesday, 1992) so Conservatives could have won
Labour was strong, New Labour was solving economic problems
What and when was Black Wednesday?
1992
When the pound sterling crashed out of the ERM
Broke Conservative reputation for economic competence
Give 3 policies of New Labour
Alteration of clause IV and endorsement of market economics (investment + supply and demand)
Free market - prices determined by consumers (demand)
Departure from democratic socialist policies
What was clause IV?
A clause in the Labour constitution that set out its aims and values such as common ownership, means of production, distribution and exchange (Socialism)
How did classes vote in 1997?
Labour gained support from all - larger gains C1 +19% C2 +15%
How did genders vote in 1997?
Men and women equally supported Labour
