Case Study: Margaret Thatcher Flashcards
1
Q
What was her relationship with the cabinet?
A
- Had a clear sense of purpose when she initially became prime minister.
- She appreciated the importance of thoroughly discussing issues in cabinet to maintain government consensus.
- She had to balance her supporters with those who were associated with he predecessor Edward Heath and more one-nation elements in the party.
2
Q
Times she allowed discussion:
A
- In 1981, Thatcher allowed extensive cabinet debate about Geoffrey Howe’s controversial tax-raising Budget.
- When Argentina invaded the Falklands in 1982, Thatcher called an emergency meeting of the cabinet to debate sending a task force to recover the Falklands from Argentinean occupation.
3
Q
What was the impact of the victories over Argentina in 1982 and the miners 1984?
A
- She became increasingly assertive in cabinet.
- She preferred to make decisions with a small group of key advisers who shared her political opinions.
- During the Westland crisis in 1986, Michael Heseltine resigned as her defence secretary because his opinion was no longer listened to.
4
Q
Nigel Lawson:
A
- In 1989, her chancellor of the exchequer resigned because he complained she was listening to her special economics adviser, Alan Walters, more than him.
- High profile resignation undermined her authority.
5
Q
Poll tax:
A
- This paired with rising inflation led to a dramatic decline in Thatcher’s popularity.
- Reduced the loyalty of the Conservative Party, who feared defeat at the next general election.
6
Q
Eurosceptic Speeches:
A
- Put her at odds with most of her cabinet that her deputy prime minister, Geoffrey Howe, resigned.
- This prompted Michael Heseltine won the support of enough Conservative MPs.
- Heseltine won the support of enough CMPs to take the leadership challenge to a second round, Thatcher needed the support of her cabinet to survive.
- She had taken them for granted and resigned on 22 November 1990.
