7 The Extent of Political and Social Division within Britain Flashcards
Why could there be said to be a class war?
- Dedicated to restoring the power of the gov and ending socialism
- Believed that TUs were putting the interests of the WC above the nation - battle with NUM
- Class conflict evident in the sale of council houses
How did Thatcher try to create national unity?
Encouraged national unity in her speeches of Russian Communism and of the Falklands war of 1982 - did create some national unity
How was class conflict evident in the sale of council houses?
Between the WC that could afford to buy theirs and those that couldn’t, gave the poorest people limited choice on where to live, no affordable housing
Why did Thatcher confront the miners?
Not until second term that MT felt able to confront miners. Wanted to succeed where Heath had failed, to show them that she ran GB. Felt she had public backing after the Winter of Discontent (1978-1979).
What was Thatcher’s strategy for dealing with the miner’s strike?
- A law against secondary action
- The development of alternative sources of power - gas/nuclear energy
- Reserve of coal stocks so country couldn’t be held to ransom
How did Thatcher provoke the miner’s strike in the short term?
Determination to reform GB mining and TU rights. Wanted to reduce state subsidies to the industry = 20 pit closures (actually intended 70) = devastation to towns in South Wales, Scotland and the North of England. Wanted to win against Scargill.
What didn’t strikers do that they were supposed to do?
Chose not to hold a ballot as thought those in pits that weren’t closing wouldn’t want to strike. Illegitimate strike.
What happened in the miner’s strike of 1984?
Organised pickets from pits on strike to protest at open pits. NACODs chose not to strike. Tens of thousands of police officers sent to Yorkshire and other areas but this tended to provoke conflict, several clashes between miners and police.
How did the public feel about the 1984 miner’s strike?
- RCT organised support for miners.
- Women Against Pit Closure (WAPC) supported, led by Anne Scargill. Organised soup kitchens for miners.
- Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners organised marches an fundraising.
- Labour split - left of Labour sympathised but knew the methods were wrong.
- Tabloid press and public opposed it.
How did the miner’s strike end?
Economy kept running relying more on gas and nuclear power. No power cuts. NUM low on funds and miners couldn’t provide for their families. Union of Democratic Workers (UDMW) founded in Dec 1985 to oppose NUM. NUM voted an end to the strike in 1985.
What consequences did the miner’s strike have?
- Showed commitment to new TU laws.
- 1985-1990 NUM lost 84% of its members.
- Union power reduced in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1993.
- Labour leaders took steps to distance themselves from TUs.
- 1985-1990 94/170 pits closed
How was the Thatcher gov colonial?
- Radical rights groups argued that GB police behaved like a colonial army in Brixton, Notting Hill and Southall.
- Republicans in Northern Ireland also felt GB forces operating a colonial policy.
- Used nationalist language ‘anglo saxon heritage’ and ‘the remarkable qualities of British people’
Why was there a rise in black and asian protest?
Due to continued racial discrimination in housing, employment, education and the police, stress on cultural uniformity, impact of economic policies and sus
What was the New Cross Fire in 1981?
Fire at a house party of black teenagers, 13 partygoers killed, local black community believed it was an attack by the National Front
Why was the 1981 New Cross Fire controversial?
New Cross Massacre Action Committee established, MT didn’t issue a statement in response, contrast to deaths of white teenagers in Dublin that had official letters from the Queen, parliament and gov.
What was the Black People’s Day of Action 1981?
20,000 people marched through London to demand justice for the dead at NCF. Largest held black protest. Described as a symbolic defeat for the police.
When did Stop and Search take place (Operation Swamp ‘81) and what impact did this have?
Following the Day of Action, Operation Swamp ‘81 took place = mass riots in Brixton in which police lost control.
What impact did the Brixton riots have in 1981?
- Michael Bailey died in police custody after Brixton riots broke out
- 300 black and white youths clashed with over 1000 police officers.
- 299 officers injured, 70 members of the public hurt, 100 cars destroyed
- 28 shops and homes burnt to the ground and 100 more looted
- More riots broke out 3 months later in Manchester, London and Birmingham and Liverpool
What did the Scarman Report find, the report that forced the government to examine the role of police in the black community?
- Disproportionate and unnecessary use of stop and search against black and ethnic minority men
- Poverty, unemployment, poor housing and discrimination were key factors causing the riots
How was there ongoing social division?
Rioting broke out again in 1985 against two deaths on an estate in London - Cynthia Jarrett (died of heart attack during police raid) and Cherry Groce (shot by armed police)
How did Thatcher respond to the Scarman report?
- Rejected the idea that poverty and discrimination were causing riots
- Scarman’s proposals not implemented and little improvement made for black community
How were there changing attitudes towards race in politics?
1980s increase in the number of black and Asian MPs e.g Diane Abbott and Bernie Grant
How did TV channels like Channel 4 (1982) begin to cater for a more diverse Britain?
It had the responsibility of providing TV programmes for minority groups e.g The Bandung File (Asian currant affairs) and Desmonds (Black comedy)
How did the murder of black Stephan Lawrence from South East London in 1983 demonstrate changing attitudes?
Gov and media immediately condemned Lawrence’s murder. When police mishandled investigation it led to Macpherson Report which states that the met were racist.
