Major & The Impact of Thatcher (1990 to 1997) Flashcards
Who succeeded Thatcher as PM and how did they perform in the 1992 election?
John Major succeeded Thatcher and led the Conservatives to election victory in 1992 with a majority of 21.
What were the unemployment figures in 1991 and 1992?
1991 = 1.6 million
1992 = 2.6 million
What was poll tax replaced by?
Council tax.
What was the ERM?
Exchange Rate Mechanism, designed to try and keep inflation low.
When did Britain join and leave the ERM?
Joined in 1990 but forced to leave in 1992.
When and what was Black Wednesday?
Britain was forced to leave the ERM in September 1992, as the value of the pound crashed after bankers went against it due to it being overvalued.
The ERM required the pound to have a fixed rate of exchange.
What were the effects of Black Wednesday?
Longer term economic effects were less disastrous than expected, as growth rates in Britain were higher than those in Europe.
It brought much more division over the need to be in the EEC.
The Conservatives record of being trusted on the economy was thrown away.
Conservatives saw a drop in opinion polls and Major’s popularity weakened.
When and what was the Downing Street Declaration?
In 1993 declared that Britain had no selfish or strategic interests in NI, and that if NI and ROI wanted a united Ireland, then it was for the whole of Ireland to decide, not Britain.
Made between Major and ROI leader Albert Reynolds
What were the results of the Downing Street Declaration?
Both the unionists and the nationalists declared a ceasefire in 1994 as a result of the Downing Street Declaration. It didn’t last long though as there were outbursts of violence between 1996 and 1998.
When and what was the Mitchell Report?
1996, it set out the principles that in order to reach an agreement, both sides will have to give up the violence and weapons, and if an agreement is reached it is legally binding.
What political satire took place from 1990 to 1997?
Major mocked by Private Eye (magazine), Spitting Image (TV) and Yes Minister (TV).
Give 4 Conservative MPS who were involved in political scandal or sleaze and what happened.
David Mellor (Heritage Minister) => Resigned in 1992 over an affair with a Spanish actress.
Stephen Milligan => Died in 1994 during sexual acts.
Tim Yeo (Environment Minister) => Resigned in 1994 over an affair and child.
Neil Hamilton (Corporate Affairs Minister) => Accused by Guardian for accepting money from owner of Harrods for Special Commercial favours.
What was Cash for Questions?
MPs received cash in order to ask certain questions in parliament to promote commercial interests.
When and what was the Scott Inquiry?
2 leading Conservatives were convicted of perjury in 1996.
What were the Conservatives mainly divided over during this period?
Euro-sceptics and pro-Europeans.
