Conservative Party 1997-2007 Flashcards
Which attitudes within the Party prevailed after Major stepped down?
The divisions over Europe, and between those still bitter about those who ‘betrayed Maggie’.
What did some of the Cons party feel about the electorate at this time?
That since Labour had supported Thatcher, they could wait for the electorate to ‘come to their senses’, and that Cons were the ‘natural party of government’.
How large was the Conservative Party in 1997?
Half the size it was in 1990.
What was the Eurosceptic/Europhile split in 1997?
145/165 were Eurosceptic, and the Europhiles had lost Patten who was a significant aid for that side.
Why had Heseltine decided not to stand in the leadership contest?
He had suffered ill health, but was also unforgiven for challenging Thatcher in 1990.
How was Ken Clarke regarded in 1997?
Well, both for his success as Chancellor under Major and seen as down-to-earth. But he was pro-European and one who advised Thatcher to resign in 1990.
Who was the obvious candidate from the Right?
Michael Portillo, but he had lost his seat to Stephen Twigg unexpectedly.
What was the prevailing attitude of most of the Cons MPs?
‘anyone but Clarke’.
Who was William Hague?
A 36-year old with limited political experience. It was believed he could be a fresh start, but really only won because he had fewer enemies than his rivals and was Thatcher’s preferred choice.
How did Hague help unify the Party?
He ruled out the possibility of entering Britain into a single currency.
What did some modernisers in the Party argue under Hague?
That Cons was seen as uncaring, old-fashioned and obsessed with Europe.
What did Lilley’s speech in 1999 involve?
He criticised some elements of Thatcherism - it was necessary to tackle the issues then but further reform was unnecessary. It causes a huge uproar as it was seen as a repudiation of Thatcherism.
What was the public cautious about under Hague?
Further privatisation once potential privatisation of Royal Mail was discussed. They were also resistant to private involvement in public services, preferring them to be State-run.
What was a reason that the electorate elected Labour over Cons?
Labour would protect public services, and the Cons wanted a smaller State for ideological reasons.
Which was the split under Hague that developed?
The Mods who were pro-change, and the Rockers.
Who were the Mods in the Cons Party under Hague?
Broadly eurosceptics, but pragmatic economic Thatcherites. Socially liberal and wanted Cons to appear more inclusive.
Who were the Rockers in the Cons Party under Hague?
Resistant to change and had hardline views in Euroscepticism and Thatcherism. The biggest divide was socially where the Rockers were socially conservative.
How did Hague lose the leadership?
When Portillo was re elected in 1999 Hague let threatened and appointed him Shadow Chancellor. He resigned when he went down crushingly in 2001.
What was the leadership struggle after Hague resigned?
Clarke remained popular but suspicious over his pro-Europe views.
Portillo was a strong eurosceptic and reinvented himself as a social liberal and wanter to modernise the Party.
IDS was chosen over Clarke in the final round.
