8 The Effect of Thatcherism on Politics and Party Development Flashcards
How did the Conservatives respond to Thatcherism after Thatcher’s downfall in 1989?
It did not end the Conservative Party’s commitment to Thatcherism.
How was the cabinet dominated by wets when MT came to power?
Men appointed by Edward Heath e.g Jim Prior, Lord Hailsham - committed to PW consensus. Unable to completely remove moderates from her cabinet
Who were traditional conservatives rejected in place of?
Rejected in place of the free market and by those who had not been born rich.
How did Thatcher exclude wets from economic policy?
1981 Jim Prior made secretary of state for Northern Ireland - dumping ground for wets. 1981 cabinet reshuffle described as a purge of the wets - e.g Sir Ian Gilmour, Lord Soames and Mark Carlisle sacked.
What happened after the 1981 cabinet reshuffle?
Thatcherites put in dominant positions. Still took Thatcher 2 terms to secure majority of Tory party. End of 1980s - Thatcherism dominant in Conservatives.
What was significant about the wet Michael Heseletine?
He survived cabinet reshuffle. Secretary of state for environment and promoted sale of council houses in 1981. Challenged MT about scale of unemployment. After 1981 riots he developed Enterprise Zones and Development Corporations in unemployment zones.
What was the Westland Affair?
Heseltine resigned after conflict over fate of Westland Helicopters - stated it was due to her presidential style of leadership.
What impact did the poll tax have?
- MT recognised as unpopular by 1990 and unlikely to win another election.
- Party’s popularity had declined after Poll Tax.
- All Britain Anti Poll Tax Federation organised as a demonstration in 1990.
- Poll tax = high tax bills, taxpayers refused to pay = bad publicity.
Aside from the poll tax, what also made Thatcher unpopular?
Unpopular due to high interest rates at 15% draining income from MC homeowners, water privatisation, divisions over powers given to EEC, Geoffrey Howe’s resignation over MT’s anti Europe policies
How did Thatcher face leadership challenge?
Michael Heseltine ran against her and MT realised she had lost support. Most Thatcher like candidate replaced her - John Major.
How different were the Conservatives under John Major?
Continued free market policies and policies designed to promote a strong state.
How did the John Major gov rethink the poll tax?
Increased gov grant to local authorities to reduce the poll tax bills by 50%. Appointed MH to create a new policy. Council tax created = exemptions so those living alone could pay less - not a MT principle
How did John Major continue the policy of privatisation?
British rail privatised 1992. Public didn’t support privatisation of utilities - particularly water as bills shot up by 40% in the first 5 years. New consensus that private industry was better.
How did John Major approach economic policy?
Continued with free market policies. Showed his rejection of corporatism through the abolishment of the National Economic Development Council in 1992.
How did John Major approach the public sector?
- NHS - internal market in NHS.
- PFI - Private Finance Initiative 1992, state should fund but not provide public services. Private companies build and maintain schools with funding from gov.
- Law and order - Policing even tougher. Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (1994)
What did the Crimincal Justice and Public Order Act (1994) do?
Gave police the power to target raves. Partially removed the right to remain silent after arrest and criminalised squatting and unauthorised camping.
How did the Back to Basics campaign fail (an attempt to promote family values) in 1993 due to Tory scandals?
- Tim Yeo had an affair and a love child in 1993
- Steve Norris had 5 affairs, nickname Steve Shagger Norris
- Stephen Milligan exposed to be involved in bondage after dying from autoerotic asphyxiation
- Jerry Hayes - gay
What were the problems of Thatcherism?
- Privatisation = rising utility bills and transport fares
- Long term unemployment
- Low public sector pay
- No clear enemy
Who took over after John Major?
Labour (Tony Blair) won by a landslide victory in 1997 after four successive defeats. Had a radically different manifesto to Michael Foot in 1983.
Who were the New Left?
Moderate wing of the Labour party and legacy of SDP
How did the 1983 Labour party manifesto lead to their defeat?
Proposed nuclear disarmament, ending privatisation and nationalising industry, leaving EEC and increasing welfare spending - big defeat
How did the new leader Neil Kinnock and deputy Roy Hattersley move the labour party more right wing?
Questioned nationalisation but still adopted Keynesian schemes and improving welfare state, resigned 1992
How did John Smith distance labour from TUs?
Introduced one member one vote for electing leaders ending TU block vote, distanced from TUs
What did John Smith want for labour?
To achieve traditional Labour values through new policies. Wanted to end nationalisation. Wanted to appeal to WC Tory voter with low tax and low inflation but also offer better services like NHS.
How did Labour have more right wing policies after John Smith?
Policies included commitment to free market, rejection of nationalisation, continued use of PFI, welfare reform against dependency culture and tackling crime.
How did Labour still have left wing policies after John Smith?
- Incorporating European Bill of Rights into GB law
- Limiting the state’s right to keep secrets - Freedom of information bill
- Devolution to Scotland and Wales
- Repeal of section 28 and more LGBT rights
- Better regulation of the market to ensure protection of consumer rights
- Greater spending on health, education and infrastructure
- Directly elected mayors
- Greater TU rights
- Minimum wage
What reaction to Thatcherism did Labour’s policies represent?
Reflected a considerable MT influence but also reaction to her creation of social divisions and inequalities.
Who were the SDP?
Emerged in 1981 as RW labour MPs left in protest of Foot. Created by Roy Jenkins, Shirley Williams, Bill Rogers and David Owen. Rejected radical extremes of Labour but also Thatcherism.
Who did the SDP ally with in 1981?
Liberals in 1981. Liberals opposed to extreme policies of Labour and Conservative.
What policies did the Liberals advocate?
- Proportional representation
- A bill of rights
- A written constitution
- Freedom of information legislation
- Pro Europe policies
- Co Ownership rather than nationalisation or privatisation
How successful were the SDP?
1983 - 25.4% of the vote only resulted in 23 seats.
1987 - vote declined
What happened in 1988 regarding the SDP and the Liberals?
1988 - merger - Social and Liberal Democrats
What impact did Thatcherism have on the SDP?
- Initially wanted a mixed economy and corporatism
- By 1987 they were in favour of privatisation
- Owen left SDP for it being too LW, very similar to MT, wanted to protect education, healthcare and welfare but have free market.
