Ministers: support and opposition

Question 1

What was ‘wet’ a derisive nickname for?

Answer 1

Being soft and squeamish about the social consequences of monetarist policies; they could also be seen as one-nation conservatives.

Question 2

What was ‘dry’ a derisive nickname for?

Answer 2

Conservatives who were firm and uncompromising in their support for monetarism.

Question 3

Give an example of ‘wets’.

Answer 3

• Willie Whitelaw (Home Secretary in 1979)

- Jim Prior (Employment Minister)

Question 4

Give an example of ‘dries’.

Answer 4

• Geoffrey Howe (Chancellor of the Exchequer)
• Keith Joseph (Department of Industry).
• Other economic posts were given to John Biffen and Nigel Lawson, two men with a ‘dry’ approach to economy and finance.

Question 5

Describe the 1983 election.

Answer 5

The success consolidated Thatcher’s position. Most of the wets in her party were marginalised. She was now a commanding leader at the head of a team of Thatcherites, such as Nigel Lawson, and Foreign Secretary, Geoffrey Howe.

Question 6

Was there still opposition from ministers after the 1983 election?

Answer 6

Yes. Both John Biffen and Norman Tebbit eventually fell out of favour despite being Thatcherites.

Question 7

Describe the Westland affair.

Answer 7

Most serious challenge to Thatcher’s authority; Micheal Heseltine stormed out of a cabinet meeting, resigning his position and claiming that Thatcher was acting unconstitutionally.

Question 8

Describe the aftermath of the Westland affair.

Answer 8

Although Thatcher survived Westland, Heseltine became a focus of discontent for those Conservative MPs who were unhappy with Thatcher’s rule. This was to come to a climax in 1990.