Thatcher and the end of consensus, 1979-97

Question 2

What was the Conservative vote share in the 1979 General Election?

Answer 2

43.9% (13,697,690 votes)

Question 3

What were the main reasons Labour lost in 1979?

Answer 3

Failure to control inflation, rising unemployment, trade union unrest during the Winter of Discontent

Question 4

What impact did the Liberal vote drop have in 1979?

Answer 4

Helped Conservatives win marginal seats as Labour vote stayed stable/increased

Question 5

Which regions remained Labour strongholds in 1979?

Answer 5

Industrial North, Scotland, and Wales

Question 6

How did the 1983 Falklands War affect Thatcher’s popularity?

Answer 6

Boosted national pride and Thatcher’s image as a strong leader

Question 7

What split the Labour vote in 1983?

Answer 7

Formation of the SDP and Liberal/SDP Alliance

Question 8

How was Labour’s 1983 manifesto perceived?

Answer 8

It was dubbed ‘the longest suicide note in history’

Question 9

What was the Conservative seat gain in 1983?

Answer 9

397 seats

Question 10

What were key policies that made Thatcher popular in 1987?

Answer 10

Council house sales, share sales in privatised industries

Question 11

How did the economic context help the Conservatives in 1987?

Answer 11

Falling unemployment and a strong pound created economic optimism

Question 12

Why did Labour struggle in all three elections?

Answer 12

Divisions, unpopular leadership, weak policy platform, and split left-wing vote

Question 13

What was the inflation rate in 1980 vs. 1983?

Answer 13

18% (1980), reduced to 4.5% (1983)

Question 14

How did Geoffrey Howe’s budgets affect the economy?

Answer 14

Cut spending, raised taxes, curbed inflation but increased unemployment and unrest

Question 15

What caused riots in 1981?

Answer 15

Unemployment, poverty, racial tension in areas like Brixton and Toxteth

Question 16

How did privatisation affect shareholders?

Answer 16

Number of private shareholders grew from 3m to 11m by 1990

Question 17

What was the effect of Lawson’s tax and financial reforms?

Answer 17

Created Lawson Boom but widened regional inequalities

Question 18

Name two criticisms of Thatcher’s economic policies.

Answer 18

Neglected industrial regions, promoted greed/selfishness

Question 19

What changes did Thatcher make to NHS management?

Answer 19

Introduced NHS Trusts and GP fund-holding

Question 20

What was the purpose of introducing the National Curriculum in 1988?

Answer 20

To standardise education and ensure accountability

Question 21

What was the impact of university funding changes in 1988?

Answer 21

Created University Funding Council; pushed for economically driven education

Question 22

What was the impact of council house sales?

Answer 22

Created a property-owning democracy; home ownership rose 12%

Question 23

What did the 1980 Employment Act do?

Answer 23

Banned secondary picketing, funded secret ballots, boosted worker rights

Question 24

What did the 1984 Trade Union Act require?

Answer 24

Secret ballots before industrial action

Question 25

How did trade union membership change from 1979 to 1990?

Answer 25

Fell from 12.13m to 8.41m

Question 26

What were working days lost to strikes in 1979 vs. 1990?

Answer 26

29.5m (1979), 1.9m (1990)

Question 27

What triggered the 1984-85 Miners’ Strike?

Answer 27

Plan to close 20 pits, risking 20,000 jobs

Question 28

Why did the 1984-85 Miners' Strike fail?

Answer 28

No national ballot, lack of public support, effective government preparation

Question 29

What happened to NUM membership after the strike?

Answer 29

Fell from 250,000 to under 100,000 by 1987

Question 30

Who were Thatcher’s early Cabinet allies?

Answer 30

Keith Joseph and William Whitelaw

Question 31

What was the 1981 Cabinet reshuffle about?

Answer 31

Replaced 'wets' with loyalists like Norman Tebbit and promoted 'dries'

Question 32

Why did Michael Heseltine resign in 1986?

Answer 32

Dispute over Westland Affair

Question 33

Why did Thatcher fall out with Nigel Lawson and Geoffrey Howe?

Answer 33

Disagreements over Europe and economic policy

Question 34

What role did Geoffrey Howe's resignation play in Thatcher’s downfall?

Answer 34

Triggered leadership challenge and revealed Cabinet dissent

Question 35

What did Nigel Lawson describe Thatcherism as?

Answer 35

Free markets, financial discipline, tax cuts, nationalism, and 'Victorian values'

Question 36

Why did Thatcher appeal to many?

Answer 36

Strong leadership, economic reforms, home ownership policies, 'Iron Lady' persona

Question 37

Why did critics oppose her?

Answer 37

Promoted inequality, job losses, social division, reduced public compassion

Question 38

What quote symbolised Thatcher’s toughness?

Answer 38

"You turn if you want to; the lady's not for turning."

Question 39

What controversial quote did Thatcher say in 1987?

Answer 39

"There is no such thing as society."

Question 40

What was the Poll Tax and why was it unpopular?

Answer 40

Flat-rate local tax introduced in 1989–90; led to riots and seen as unfair

Question 41

What were the economic issues leading to her fall?

Answer 41

1987 stock market crash, rising inflation (8.3%), interest rates up to 15%

Question 42

What divided her Cabinet over Europe?

Answer 42

Joining the ERM, Single European Act, and her opposition to further integration

Question 43

What did the 1990 opinion polls show?

Answer 43

Labour led Conservatives by 16 points

Question 44

What led to her resignation in November 1990?

Answer 44

Cabinet lack of support after Heseltine's leadership challenge; Howe’s resignation speech

Question 45

Who succeeded Thatcher as Prime Minister?

Answer 45

John Major