Chapter 15 Flashcards
Who was Edwina Currie?
Conservative MP for South Derbyshire between 1983 and 1997
She commented on societal changes in her autobiography published in 1989.
What significant change occurred in the life of a typical worker from the early 1980s to the late 1980s according to Edwina Currie?
Transition from working underground to a cleaner, safer, better-paid job, possibly owning a small business
This reflects the impact of Thatcherism on employment and lifestyle.
What was a key aim of the Thatcher government regarding home ownership?
To turn Britain into a property-owning democracy
This was part of the broader economic reforms during Thatcher’s leadership.
What did the Housing Act of 1980 allow council tenants to do?
Buy their council house at a discount
Discounts ranged from 33 to 50 percent based on tenure.
How many new homeowners had taken advantage of the Right to Buy scheme by 1988?
Approximately 2 million
This initiative became a symbol of the success of Thatcherism.
What was the Labour Party’s initial position on the Right to Buy scheme?
They opposed it initially but later dropped their opposition
The scheme was popular, especially in southern England.
What was Edwina Currie’s role in the government?
Junior health minister between 1986 and 1988
She was a strong supporter of Thatcher.
What controversial statement did Edwina Currie make that led to her resignation?
Claiming that most egg production was affected by salmonella
It was later shown that her claim was correct.
What was the Right to Buy scheme’s status before 1980?
Not a new idea; councils had the power to sell but rarely used it
The scheme was promoted earlier by Horace Cutler in the late 1960s.
What was the impact of Thatcherism on voting behavior according to Currie’s observations?
Nobody takes their votes for granted anymore
This indicates a shift in political engagement among constituents.
Fill in the blank: The miners’ strike and disputes over the _______ were significant events during the Thatcher era.
Community Charge (poll tax)
These events contributed to the tension and opposition against Conservative governments.
True or False: The Right to Buy scheme was popular with the public.
True
It became a significant aspect of Thatcher’s legacy.
What types of workers went on strike during the 1980s?
Nurses, ambulance workers, teachers, steelworkers, miners, print workers
These strikes were primarily due to pay disputes, especially during high inflation.
What was the impact of Right to Buy on council housing?
Negative consequences such as reduced number and quality of homes for rent, longer waiting lists, and reliance on expensive emergency B & B accommodations
Sales were mostly in better-off areas, and councils were mandated to reduce debts instead of building new housing.
What was secondary picketing?
Picketing a location not directly involved in the dispute, such as a supplier of the products involved
This practice was outlawed in 1980.
What significant event occurred during the miners’ strike from 1984 to 1985?
Thatcher compared the striking miners to the enemy within, likening the situation to the Falklands conflict
This analogy highlighted the government’s stance against the miners.
Who is Rupert Murdoch and what role did he play during the industrial struggles of the 1980s?
An influential newspaper proprietor who supported Thatcher against the unions and attempted to reduce the power of print unions
He owned major newspapers and played a key role in shaping public opinion.
What was a major consequence of the miners’ strike as described by Liz Marshall?
A generation of young people who have never seen their parents working and the emergence of social issues
This reflects the long-term impact of the strike on families and communities.
What did the National Coal Board (NCB) warn about in 1981?
The need to close 23 pits
This warning foreshadowed the confrontations in the mid-1980s.
What was the role of Arthur Scargill in the miners’ strike?
A charismatic leader who failed to gain total support for a national strike and alienated moderates
His refusal to hold a strike ballot weakened his leadership.
What was the Battle of Orgreave?
A mass picket by 5000 miners faced by 8000 police officers, resulting in violent confrontations and injuries on both sides
This event highlighted accusations of police brutality and the tensions between miners and law enforcement.
True or False: The miners’ strike was universally supported by the Labour Party.
False
Arthur Scargill did not gain the support of the Labour Party during the strike.
Fill in the blank: The miners’ strike was a key factor in _______ the National Union of Miners (NUM).
[defeat of]
The strike led to significant challenges for the NUM and its leadership.
What was one tactic used by employers against trade unions during the 1980s?
Keeping unions out of their workplaces
This strategy aimed to diminish union influence and power.
