Effect of Thatcher on Politics

Question 1

How did Thatcher affect the Conservative Party?

Answer 1

• Many during Thatcher’s tenure still supported consensus ideas - Thatcher referred to them as traitors, and rid them of her cabinet, referring to them as ‘wet’
• Many people still supported Thatcher’s ideas even after she was no longer PM - called Thatcherites
• Thatcher’s problems continued through 90s - Conservatives were growing unpopular - high interest rates, had divisions within the party

Question 2

How did Thatcher affect the Labour Party?

Answer 2

• Labour kept losing
  Jump to the Left
• Foot Proposed ending privatisation and re-nationalising privatised industries
• Wanted to get rid of nuclear weapons, so that other countries followed
• Failed to win election
  Step to the Right
• New leader, Kinnoch
• Committed to improving welfare state, but held back on the nationalisation
• Also lost the election

Question 3

What was ‘New Labour’, and who led it?

Answer 3

Tony Blair - Mondeo Man