Political Developments: The Conservative Party under William Hague

Question 1

When was William Hague the leader of the Conservative Party from?

Answer 1

1997-2001

Question 2

Out of 165 Conservative MPs, how many were Eurosceptic?

Answer 2

145

Question 3

Why would someone like Michael Heseltine not have won the leadership election?

Answer 3

He was a Europhile

Question 4

What fraction of Conservative MP’s supported Hague?

Answer 4

1/3

Question 5

If Hague had so little support, why did he win the 1997 leadership election?

Answer 5

It was a case of who had the least enemies

Question 6

Why did Hague have few enemies in relation to his age?

Answer 6

He was only 36 years old

Question 7

What did Hague use as his main campaigning point in the 2001 election?

Answer 7

To not accept the Euro

Question 8

Was Peter Lilley a Thatcherite?

Answer 8

Yes

Question 9

Was Hague a Thatcherite?

Answer 9

Yes

Question 10

What did Peter Lilley do in 1999?

Answer 10

He criticised Thatcher for her economic reforms in the 1980s

Question 11

Why were Peter Lilley’s comments in 1999 an issue for Hague?

Answer 11

He would need to reinstate his leadership over the Conservative party

Question 12

Which classification of divisions in the Conservative Party emerged at this time?

Answer 12

Mods and Rockers

Question 13

Who were the Mods?

Answer 13

The people who wanted change in the Conservative Party

Question 14

Who were the Rockers?

Answer 14

The people who did not want change in the Conservative Party

Question 15

Which reforms did Hague introduce?

Answer 15

Fresh Future Reforms

Question 16

What did the Fresh Future reforms allow?

Answer 16

Allowed paying Conservative members to vote in Leadership elections

Question 17

What was the average age of a paying Conservative member?

Answer 17

64 years old

Question 18

What was an issue with paying Conservative members with leadership elections in relation to their age?

Answer 18

They would be more likely to vote for Rockers

Question 19

Where did Hague show he was unable to make good relations with the public and when?

Answer 19

2001 Notting Hill Carnival

Question 20

What did Hague talk about while he was at the Notting Hill Carnival?

Answer 20

How he used to drink 14 beers a day

Question 21

What did Hague want to do in terms of economic policies if he became Prime Minister?

Answer 21

He wanted to continue Thatcher’s economic policies

Question 22

What did Hague do after the 2001 election failure?

Answer 22

He resigned