4.2 Thatcher's Politics Flashcards
What does the term ‘Wet’ refer to in the context of the Conservative Party?
A derisive nickname for members who were soft and squeamish about the social consequences of monetarist economic policies
The term was popularized by Mrs. Thatcher and her supporters.
What does the term ‘Dry’ signify in relation to Conservative Party members?
Nicknames for Conservatives who were firm and uncompromising in their support for monetarism
The distinction reflects differing attitudes towards economic policies.
What limitation did Thatcher face regarding her first Cabinet in 1979?
She had to include traditionalists holding on to the Macmillan/Keynesian inheritance
This included accommodating the ‘Wets’.
What proportion of Thatcher’s first Cabinet was aligned with mainstream Toryism post-1945?
Almost three quarters
Key figures included Lord Carrington and James Prior.
What was a significant change in Thatcher’s second term from 1983 onwards?
She turned her government into a crusade of increasing radicalism
Many doubts and uncertainties from her first term were dispelled.
Who was made the scapegoat for the surprise over the Argentine invasion during Thatcher’s tenure?
Lord Carrington
His resignation led to reshaping of the Cabinet.
Why was Francis Pym dropped from the Cabinet after the election?
He was not a true Thatcherite and showed signs of wavering during the Falklands Conflict
His performance was deemed insufficient for Thatcher’s goals.
What role did John Biffen hold during Thatcher’s government?
Treasury
He was one of the monetarists appointed to support Thatcher’s policies.
Fill in the blank: Thatcher’s second term lasted from _______ to _______.
1983 to 1987
What was a key strategy for Thatcher to ensure opposition to her economic plans was ineffective?
Appointing monetarists to key positions
This included appointments like John Nott as Trade Secretary.
True or False: Thatcher had full control over her first Cabinet from the beginning.
False
She had to accommodate traditionalists and ‘Wets’ initially.
What were the First-Term by-election defeats predominantly attributed to?
Economic policies
Opinion polls showed Thatcher to be the most unpopular PM since polls began.
How many leading economists wrote to the national broadsheets in 1980 denouncing the monetarist approach?
364 leading economists
This was a significant number of economists expressing dissent against the government’s economic policies.
What did Thatcher declare at the party conference in October 1980 regarding her policies?
‘You turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning’
This statement indicated her refusal to change her economic policies despite criticism.
How many people were unemployed during Thatcher’s tenure that she seemed unconcerned about?
3 million unemployed
This high unemployment rate was a significant issue during her leadership.
Who was concerned about the economic situation and recommended aid to industrial areas?
Michael Heseltine
Heseltine’s efforts highlighted the divide within the Cabinet regarding economic policies.
In the by-election at Crosby, what was the change in the Conservative majority?
A 19,000 Conservative majority was overturned into a 5,000 majority for the newly-formed SDP
This represented a significant loss for the Conservatives.
Name two other by-elections that the Conservatives lost during this period.
Croydon and Glasgow
These defeats further indicated the declining support for the Conservative Party.
What was the Greater London Council (GLC)?
A local authority that was a major spender and employer of middle-class employees, including lecturers and social workers.
Who were the main political controllers of local authorities during this period?
Labour Party, in some cases by the far left.
Name two prominent leaders of local councils mentioned.
- Ken Livingstone (GLC)
- Derek Hatton (Liverpool council)
What urban issues contributed to riots in Liverpool in the early 1980s?
Housing and employment problems.
What was the Militant group associated with?
Far-left activism in local government, notably in Liverpool.
What financial measure was introduced to control local authority spending?
Rate capping.
What actions were taken by the Environment Secretary Michael Heseltine in 1979?
Announced intention to curb overspending local authorities.
What system was introduced in 1981–82 to address overspending by councils?
‘Targets and penalties’ system.
What was the response of councils to reduced grants from central government?
To increase rates to compensate for budget cuts.
What significant legislation was passed in 1984 regarding local government rates?
The Rates Act, which capped rates.
What was the effect of the 1986 Local Government Act?
Abolished metropolitan authorities and curtailed powers of local councils.
True or False: The 1986 Local Government Act was seen as a victory for local democracy.
False.
What did the rate capping impose?
An upper limit on the rate (tax per household) that could be demanded by local authorities.
Fill in the blank: The local councils attempted to defy the government by applying _______ to compensate for expenditure cuts.
surcharges.
What was the primary consequence of the central government’s financial restrictions on local councils?
Increased rates to compensate for cuts.
What was a key characteristic of the political landscape in local councils during the early 1980s?
An increase in left-wing Labour councillors.
What conflict arose at the BBC?
Conflict over funding and alleged anti-government reporting
Particularly related to British participation in the Libyan bombing raids of 1986 and reporting on Northern Ireland.
What was the government’s stance on interviews with Sinn Fein?
A ban was imposed on interviews with Sinn Fein
Unionist views could be freely heard.
Who was appointed as the new BBC chairman?
Duke Hussey
He was appointed by the government.
What security measure was implemented at GCHQ?
Ban on trade union membership
This was due to the belief that union membership equated to disloyalty.
Who was a consistent critic of the Tory government?
Ted Heath
He took a ‘wet’ position on several issues.
What significant revolt occurred in 1986 among Tory MPs?
Revolt by 72 Tories against Sunday trading legislation
Michael Heseltine was a prominent rebel.
What was the Westland Affair?
A conflict over the rescue of Westland Helicopter company
Involved government approval for a deal with Sikorsky versus a European partner.
What led to Michael Heseltine’s resignation in 1986?
Disgust at the government’s refusal to fully debate the Westland matter
His public disagreements with Leon Brittan were significant.
What was the significance of the leaked document regarding Heseltine?
Indicated Mrs. Thatcher’s possible knowledge of the leak
Leon Brittan resigned over the leak, impacting Thatcher’s political survival.
What was the government’s attempt regarding the book Spycatcher?
Attempted to suppress its publication
Written by ex-MI5 member Peter Wright, it included allegations against MI5.
What unfortunate statement did Sir Robert Armstrong make?
Civil servants are ‘economical with the truth’
This phrase became emblematic of the government’s dictatorial attitude.
Fill in the blank: The book Spycatcher was not allowed to be sold in the UK, but could be obtained easily at _______.
airport bookstalls
