Evaluate the extent to which the Conservative party has abandoned Thatcherism

Question 1

Themes

Answer 1

1) Major
2) Cameron
3) Johnson

Question 2

Define Thatcherism

Answer 2

Thatcherism - control of public spending + tax cuts - incentives for business leaders - stimulates growth

• Privatisation - wider consumer choice through competition
• Legal limits on trade union power
• Tough approach to law + order - increased police and judicial powers
• Assertion of British interests abroad
• Desire to protect national sovereignty against rise of European Community

Question 3

Intro

Answer 3

• Given recent polices of Johnson govt - debates arisen over whether Tories is same as it was in 80s under Thatcher
• DEFINE THATCHERISM
• Policies of Tory leaders after Thatcher can be examined to determine whether these New Right policies have been abandoned

Judgement - On balance, conservatives have abandoned Thatcherism to a large extent

Question 4

Against: 1) John Major - didn’t abandon Thatcherism

Answer 4

Continuation of Thatcher’s policies:

• Privatised coal (1994) and railways (1994-97 - split up into franchises) - continuation - given that, by 1990, 40 UK state-owned businesses had been privatised (e.g., British Telecom (1984), British Airways and Rolls-Royce (both 1987))
• Major govt - hard-line on law and order - Michael Howard - Home Secretary - 1993- “prison works”
• Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 - greater penalties for “anti-social” behaviours

This argument has slightly less weight - Tories unlikely to suddenly transform policies so soon after Thatcher was in power

Question 5

For: 2) John Major - did abandon Thatcherism

Answer 5

In some respects, move away from Thatcherism during Major govt:

• Thatcher had desire to protect national sovereignty against rising influence of EU - Major had pro-European stance
• Negotiated and signed Maastricht Treaty 1993 - established the EU - more integration w/ Europe
• Loss of sovereignty in eyes of Thatcherites

Argument has slightly more weight - the treaty generated great amount of divide within Tory party - culminated in vote of no confidence in Major in 1993 - opposition from Thatcherite Tory MPs

Question 6

Against: 3) David Cameron - didn’t abandon Thatcherism

Answer 6

Coalition govt, under Cameron:

• Foreign policy - consistent approach w/ Thatcherism - strong links w/ USA, support for airstrikes against Islamic Terror groups, in Syria and Iraq + pragmatic Euroscepticism - tried to fight his corner in EU - negotiated terms of British membership before referendum
• Welfare policy: intended to cut costs and encourage those receiving benefits to be more self-reliant, mirroring elements of Thatcherism
• Radical NHS overhaul implemented - private hospitals allowed to compete w/ state-run hospitals

Argument has less weight - due, arguably, to the influence of Lib Dems in coalition and more liberal in certain policy areas

Question 7

For: 4) David Cameron - did abandon Thatcherism

Answer 7

Coalition policies arguably first instance of an abandonment of Thatcherism in Tory Party:

• Cameron more liberal on law and order - called for more understanding of young offenders - ‘hug a hoodie’ speech (as dubbed by media)
• More balanced approach to crime in office - more emphasis on rehabilitation - to reduce number of reoffenders - awarded firms and charities that helped criminals in their rehabilitation
• Despite often having more laissez-faire attitude to welfare, universal credit introduced - simplified welfare system - to encourage employment
• More emphasis on spending on healthcare and education