PM Case Studies

Question 1

When was Harold Wilson in office from-until? (Each term) - PM Case Studies

Answer 1

Harold Wilson was in office from 1964-1970 (2 governments) and then from 1974-1976.

Question 2

How large were Harold Wilson’s Parliamentary majorities? (4) - PM Case Studies

Answer 2

1964 - 4 Seats
1966 - 96 Seats
1974 - Minority Government
1974 - 3 seats

Question 3

What were Harold Wilson’s key policies as PM? - PM Case Studies

Answer 3

Wilson renegotiated the UK’s membership of the EEC and held a referendum on the issue in 1975. He oversaw a progressive approach to industry involving technological advancements. Wilson decriminalised gay sex, established the Open University and increased numbers of comprehensive schools.

Question 4

How can you describe the leadership style of Harold Wilson? - PM Case Studies

Answer 4

Wilson was seen as a ‘man of the people’, seen as honest and down to Earth. Aimed to contrast with the upper-class stereotype of other politicians and had an affinity with the working classes. He was quite an insecure leader and feared challenges.

Question 5

What important events occurred during Wilson’s time as PM? - PM Case Studies

Answer 5

Wilson was forced to devalue the £ in 1967, whilst in 1968 he withdrew the UK from its strategic position in the Suez Canal.

Question 6

How did Harold Wilson leave office? When? - PM Case Studies

Answer 6

Wilson resigned as PM, claiming to have lost his passion for the role. He highlighted physical and mental exhaustion, and allegedly suffered the early effects of Alzheimer’s. Wilson left office in 1976.

Question 7

When was Margaret Thatcher in office? - PM Case Studies

Answer 7

Margaret Thatcher served as PM from 1979-1990.

Question 8

How large were Margaret Thatcher’s Parliamentary majorities? (3) - PM Case Studies

Answer 8

1979 - 44 seats
1983 - 144 seats
1987 - 102 seats

Question 9

What were key policies of Margaret Thatcher? - PM Case Studies

Answer 9

Thatcher’s key policies included privatisation of the economy, reducing the top rate of income tax to 40%, weakening the power of unions, ‘right to buy’ scheme for council houses, passed Section 28. Wanted to encourage competition in the economy and wealth creation.

Question 10

How can you describe the leadership style of Margaret Thatcher? - PM Case Studies

Answer 10

Thatcher oversaw an uncompromising style of leadership, which sought to impose authoritarianism on the public and maximise profits. Tended to get her own way and utilised cabinet to rubber stamp her policies rather than discuss them.

Question 11

What important events occurred during Thatcher’s time as PM? - PM Case Studies

Answer 11

Thatcher oversaw the 1984-85 miner’s strike, 1982 Falklands War, 1990 resignation of Sir Geoffrey Howe, Brighton Conservative Party Conference Bomb.

Question 12

How did Margaret Thatcher leave office? - PM Case Studies

Answer 12

Thatcher left office following disagreements with her Cabinet over European policy, specifically the Exchange Rate Mechanism. Having lost their support, she was subject to leadership challenges and subsequently resigned.

Question 13

When was Tony Blair in office from-until? - PM Case Studies

Answer 13

Tony Blair was PM from 1997-2007.

Question 14

How large were Tony Blair’s Parliamentary majorities? - PM Case Studies

Answer 14

1997 - 179 seats
2001 -167 seats
2005 - 66 seats

Question 15

What were Tony Blair’s key policies? - PM Case Studies

Answer 15

Blair oversaw major constitutional reform, establishing devolved powers in Scotland, Wales, NIR and London. Advanced human rights by codifying the ECHR in 1998, oversaw the 2003 Iraq war in conjunction with the US, oversaw mild privatisation, maintained low tax, recognised and supported capitalism.

Question 16

How can you describe the leadership style of Tony Blair? - PM Case Studies

Answer 16

Blair governed in a very commanding style, taking major responsibility for policy decisions. He manipulated his popularity and media relationships to extend control. Cabinet would approve policy which had already been created away from Cabinet in his style of ‘sofa politics.’

Question 17

What important events occurred during Blair’s time as PM? - PM Case Studies

Answer 17

Blair oversaw the 2003 Iraq War, the passing of the 1998 HRA, the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 and devolution of 1997-2000.

Question 18

How did Tony Blair leave office? - PM Case Studies

Answer 18

Blair had been accused of misleading Parliament over the Iraq War, which hugely reduced his popularity. This increased pressure on him and he agreed to resign by 2007, which he did. He was replaced by Gordon Brown.

Question 19

When was David Cameron in office from-until? - PM Case Studies

Answer 19

David Cameron was PM from 2010-2016.

Question 20

How large were David Cameron’s Parliamentary majorities? - PM Case Studies

Answer 20

2010 - None, although a Lib Dem coalition was used to aid legislation.
2015 - 12 seats

Question 21

What were David Cameron’s key policies? - PM Case Studies

Answer 21

David Cameron oversaw austerity measures designed to cut public spending following the financial crash in order to restore a balance of payments. Maintained low taxes, introduced a tax-free minimum wage, led welfare reforms, red tape bonfire, renegotiated membership of EU and held EU referendum.

Question 22

How can you describe David Cameron’s leadership style? - PM Case Studies

Answer 22

Cameron never commanded a stable Parliamentary majority and therefore had to water down his much more conservative policies. Required consensus and support from within his Cabinet and across parties to legislate. Tried to appear statesman-like.

Question 23

What important events occurred during Cameron’s time as PM? - PM Case Studies

Answer 23

Cameron oversaw the Syrian conflict, numerous ISIS attacks, the Ebola crisis, the recovery from the financial crisis, 2012 Olympics, EU Referendum in 2016, 2014 IndyRef, 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

Question 24

How did David Cameron leave office? - PM Case Studies

Answer 24

David Cameron resigned following the outcome of the EU referendum, in which the Leave vote won against the Remain side which he had supported and campaigned for.

Question 25

What state was Harold Wilson’s Labour Party in? - PM Case Studies

Answer 25

Harold Wilson commanded a united party which had previously been split over the policies of Hugh Gaitskill. He and his party aimed to modernise with socially liberal ideas.

Question 26

What state was Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Party in? - PM Case Studies

Answer 26

Thatcher’s Conservatives were divided between ‘drys’ and ‘wets’, with drys being more supportive of Thatcher’s controversial Neoliberal/conservative approach. Wets were One-Nation conservatives.

Question 27

What state was Tony Blair’s Labour Party in? - PM Case Studies

Answer 27

Tony Blair oversaw a Labour Party split between the more tradition left wing of the party and a rising centrist group which he supported.

Question 28

What state was David Cameron’s Conservative Party in? - PM Case Studies

Answer 28

Cameron oversaw a demoralised and weak Conservative Party, having spent 13 years out of power. He was elected during a deep and difficult recession, which damaged the ambitions of his party.