32 - The Labour Governments, 1997-2007 Flashcards
What mood did Tony Blair’s government start with? What kind of period did it enjoy?
Optimism
Halcyon period
Who did Blair prefer to meet with personally? What meetings did he eschew?
Ministers
Cabinet meetings
Who did Blair appoint large numbers of? What did his critics argue about his style of government?
Political advisers
It was presidential
Which 2 countries had Blair committed to devolution with? What would this be based on?
Scotland and Wales
If people wanted it
What did Scotland and Wales hold in 1997? How many Scots were in favour of devolution?
Referendums
60%
By what percentage was a majority for devolution in Wales?
Less than 1%
What 2 Assemblies were created in 1999? What 2 factors could the Assemblies control in their regions?
Scottish and Welsh Assemblies
Taxes and domestic affairs
What House was Blair committed to reforming? What was an issue with the House?
House of Lords
It was wholly unelected
How did the House of Lords appear in the 21st century? What was the problem Blair faced with it?
As an anachronism
Reform
When did the House of Lords reform process begin? What kind of peers weren’t allowed to sit in the Lords any longer?
2000
Hereditary peers
Who replaced hereditary peers in the Lords? Who appointed these peers?
Life peers
Blair’s administration
What was suggested that the House of Lords should be turned into? What remained despite this?
“People’s chamber”
Life peers
Whose work did Blair’s government build on in Northern Ireland? What did Blair finally bring to the nation?
Major’s work
Peace
On what date was the Good Friday Agreement signed?
10th April 1998
On what condition would Northern Ireland remain in the UK? Which Republic withdrew all territorial claim from the region?
If the majority of people wanted it
Irish Republic
What Assembly would be set up after the Good Friday Agreement? Under what rule would it run?
Northern Ireland Assembly
Power sharing
What prisoners would be released due to the Good Friday Agreement? When were they to be released?
Paramilitary prisoners
In 2 years
Who made it possible for the British and Irish governments to work closely for the Agreement?
Bertie Aherne
What is Sinn Fein the political wing of? What did the terrorists accept had to be done?
The IRA
Decommission weapons
To what 2 countries was the Good Friday Agreement put to in referendums?
Northern Ireland and Ireland
How many people voted for the Agreement in Ireland? How many in Northern Ireland?
95%
71%
How many people were killed in a bombing in Omagh? When did this take place under a breakaway IRA group?
28
August 1998
What was the largest Protestant party in Northern Ireland? What was the name of the leader who refused to join the Assembly?
Democratic Unionist Party - DUP
Ian Paisley
When was the Northern Irish Assembly suspended? Why?
October 2002
Lack of trust between the main parties
What 2006 Agreement set an agenda for restoring the Northern Irish Assembly? Which party would now participate?
2006 St Andrews Agreement
DUP
Who became First Minister of Northern Ireland in 2007? Who was the Deputy First Minister of Sinn Fein he built a good working relationship with?
Ian Paisley
Martin McGuinness
At best, how could the House of Lords reform be described? Why was the Good Friday Agreement significant for Labour?
Partially reformed
It was a significant achievement
