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 was charismatic at appearing moderate & attracting 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

Question 4

What were the results of the 1997 election?

Answer 4

Labour won 418 seats (41.8%) and 43% of the vote

Conservatives won 166 seats and 31% of the vote

-2 million votes had switched from conservatives to Labour (1992-1997)

-there was a 7% less turnout in the election. (7 million Les voted in 1997 than in 1992)

Conservatives lost 4.5 million votes

Question 5

Why did Labour win the 1997 election?

Answer 5

Labours policy message::
-pledge card, referendums on devolution and browns economic competence, who promised to follow conservative spending plans to not threatens business. Made it hard for conservatives to attack Labour

-attitude of national press and influence of the media including the use of satire. Had relations with:
• Alastair Campbell: organized press briefings and improved media relations.
• Peter mandelson: made sure message communicated to the press and electorate is clear and constant
-operated ‘spin machine’

-major reputation. Was bland, uninspiring and the press was unenthusiastic about him

-Labour more disciplined and organized

-Tory sleaze (Martin bell campaighn for clean politics against Neil Hamilton in tatton

-memories of black Wednesday

-conservatives split on Europe: referendum party established led by James goldsmith. Influenced defeats such the defeat of David Mellon in putney

-tactical voting: Labour supporters vote libels democrats vice versa. To maximize anti-conservative votes. Poeple thought it was time for a change of rule

-Tony Blair’s leadership of the Labour Party. Appeard fresh and vibrant, . Chose Owen pop song “things can only get better” for campaign

Question 6

What was included in Labour pledge card (1997)?

Answer 6

-improve education (cut class sizes down to 30 for 5-7 yrs)

-improve NHS by cutting waiting lists

-no rise in income tax, but VAT by 5% on heating

-fast track sentencing from arrest to jail time

-promise to get 250,000 under 25 to return to work, and off benefits