major and conservative defeat Flashcards
what 3 problems did major face becoming PM
he lacked authority
tories were divided over the position in europe
labour party was reformed under ‘new labour’
why did major lack authority
he was only voted into power as an alternative not necessarily as the solution
had limited experience, was only in the cabinet since 1987
uncharismatic personality - he was ridiculed in the media
what was the issue regarding the 1992 election win
major only had a majority of 21 seats
MPs who disagreed with his policies could threaten him with defeat in parliament
any election defeat would threaten a parliamentary defeat
what was the Maastricht Treaty of 1991
where members of the european community committed themselves to full integration of their currencies, foreign policy and defences
what was the effect of black wednesday
the pound fell sharply in value as bankers sold it before it was devalued
major unsuccessfully retained the pound’s value by pushing up interest rates and buying pounds through the bank of england
britain withdrew from the ERM
how did black wednesday effect major and the tories
ruined their reputation for good economic management and emboldened the eurosceptics
effect of the leadership election 1995
1/3 of the party voted against major which shows how divided the party was despite him comfortably winning
why was labour dubbed ‘new labour’
the extreme-left of the party was expelled
blair abolished the 4th clause of the 1918 labours constitution where they pledged to nationalise british industry. this modern image appealed to tory businessmen
why did conservative lost the 1997 election
major was potrayed as weak by eurosceptics
economic competence reputation no longer existed after black wednesday
the party was too divided to be competent and coherent
why did labour win 1997 election
blair’s youth and optimism appealed to voters
media presentation and campaign in the run up was top tier
blair’s reform of new labour nullifyed the concept of labour being socialist
