New Labour 1990-2001: 2 Thatcher's legacy

Question 1

what are the key features of Thatcherism?

Answer 1

• abandoning concensus politics
• replacing Keynesianism with the free market
• reducing power of the state
• limiting power of trade unions
• making local government answer more directly to people’s needs
• restoring the notion of social accountability, the idea that effort should be rewarded and lack of effort penalised

Question 2

what are some examples of Thatcher’s wants and actions not aligning?

Answer 2

• intended to reduce taxes but Britain’ tax bill went up under her leadership
• determined to cut government spending however once out of office the gov had to borrow nearly £30 billion to finance a PSBR since her policies led to unemployment
• promised to reduce power of central gov but in practice broadened and increased it - more gov departments and civil servants
• appeared to be anti-European but had taken Britain deeper into Europe

Question 3

‘a woman but not a sister’ - explain the relevance of the quote

Answer 3

• did little to promote women in politics appointing only one woman to her cabinet in 1986
• made no effort to introduce structural changes to advance the role of women in society
• she had successfully stormed the fortress of male dominance in politics through her long-term premiership

Question 4

‘no such thing as society’ - explain the relevance of the quote

Answer 4

• Thatcher
  The Guardian reprinted the interview on its front page
  critics believed it showed her wish to encourage individualism
  Thatcher retorted that the quote was out of context and her point was to emphasise self-reliance and the individual’s responsibility towards society
• during her time in office she imposed a 5% cut in unemployment, sickness, injury, maternity and invalidity benefits
  interestingly Thatcher’s gov spent more on welfare than any other gov previously - rose 60% in real terms

Question 5

what aspects of the welfare state did Thatcher’s gov pay?

Answer 5

• income support - for those unable to work or with inadequate pensions
• invalidity benefit - for those medically certified as unable to work - between 1982-88 number of recipients trebled
• housing benefit
• child benefit
• family income supplement - provided cash benefit for poorer families

Question 6

which university denied Thatcher an honorary degree in 1983?

Answer 6

Oxford - believed her policies were undermining education