Realignment Of The Labour Party

Question 1

How did the Labour Party realign itself under Neil kinnock (1987-92)?

Answer 1

-moved policies more towards centre,
-Peter Mandeleson became kinnock director of communications (1985) which made Labour look more professional in its presentation
-john smith became shadow chancellor

-(1988) much of (1983) manifesto was ditched ( withdrawal from EEC, unilateral nuclear disarmamen, rises in taxes)

-(1989) closed shop union agreements ended

-still ridiculed by the press

Question 2

How did the Labour Party realign itself under John smith(1992-94)?

Answer 2

-abolished trade union block vote by introducing “one member one vote” for parliamentary candidates (1993)

-likely to win next election if it wasn’t for the heart attack in (1994)

Question 3

How did the Labour Party realign itself under Tony Blair (1994-97)?

Answer 3

-agreement was made between Tony Blair and Gordon brown, where brown would be shadow chancellor and Blair as party leader, to avoid splitting the party

[continued modernisation]
-(1995) clause IV was rewritten which indicated acceptance of privatisation
-dropped ‘tax and spend’ economic policies
-made labours image more friendly to business and embracing more modern capitalism

-Blair appeared moderate & attraced middle England, women & young voters

-spin was controlled a lot by Alastair Campbell and mandelson, controlling all party communications to ensure consistency and coherency for party message

-‘spin machine’ effective at dealing with media & press