29 - Realignment Of The Labour Party Under Kinnock, Smith And Blair Flashcards
What was Blair’s majority in the 1997 General Election? By how much in % did Labour beat the Conservatives?
183 seats
13% - 44.4% to 31.4%
What 2 factors were responsible for Labour’s 1997 victory?
Tory Party problems
Charisma and expectancy of “New Labour”
Since what year had the Tories governed from? What was the Party in need of?
1979
Rebuilding
What were the Tories split over? What allegations undermined the Tories’ credibility?
EU membership
Sleaze allegations
What did many voters lack faith in the Tories’ ability to manage, despite their later success?
Economy
How did Labour look by the 1990s? What had Labour done since their defeats of the 1980s?
Vibrant and rejuvenated
Reinvent themselves
What Marxist group had gained control of many local Labour Parties in the 1980s? Who resigned in 1983?
Militant Tendency
Foot
What part of Labour was Kinnock associated with? What did he begin to campaign doing?
The left
Expelling the hard-left and becoming moderate
What was one hard-left policy Kinnock dropped? With what membership did he become more conciliatory with?
Unilateral nuclear disarmament
EU membership
After what 2 election defeats did Kinnock resign? Who continued his Labour reinvention process?
1987, 1992
John Smith
When did Smith unexpectedly die? Who succeeded him and what did he rebrand Labour as?
1994
Tony Blair - “New Labour”
Why did Blair appear to be a natural successor to Smith? Who appeared to be an organisational genius?
He was a charismatic, young leader
Gordon Brown
What deal do many people assert took place between Blair and Brown? What controls would Brown especially have power over?
Blair would become leader and stand down in 2003
Economic control
Why did Blair intend to stand down in 2003? What was the name of the restaurant that this deal took place?
So Brown could replace him
Granita
Why did New Labour’s policies cause conflict in the Party?
They conflicted with traditional Labour views
What key policy was abandoned under New Labour? What was this policy known as?
Nationalisation
Clause 4
Why was business courted under New Labour? What old idea seemed irrelevant?
So people felt they could trust Labour with the economy
Class struggles
On what would legal restrictions remain under New Labour? What was this in spite of?
Trade unions
They were a major source of Labour finance
Who was a master of presentation? Who did they employ?
Blair
Advisors and PR experts
What were advisors and PR experts known as? What would they do?
“Spin doctors”
Sell policies to the public through media manipulation
What were “spin doctors” experts of? What does this mean?
Soundbites
A short phrase that summarised the importance of a policy
What were 2 examples of soundbites used by New Labour?
“Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime”
“Education, Education, Education”
What image did Blair promote that contrasted Major’s government? How did Major’s government appear?
Progressive image
Tired and grey
What would Blair take part in with famous football players? Who was Blair often seen with?
Heading footballs
Famous music stars
What concept was promoted that resonated with many voters? Who in particular?
Cool Britannia
Younger voters
