Thatcher and the end of Consensus 1979-97

Question 1

What majority did the Conservatives win in the 1979 General Election?

Answer 1

43

Question 2

Give 3 Conservative influneces that conributed to the 1979 General Election victory

Answer 2

1. The “Thatcher Factor” helped Thatcher win voters in marginal seats, by tapping into the votes of Housewives who had traditionally voted Labour
2. The media campaign run by Saatchi and Saatchi helped them target Labour weaknesses with the famous “Labour isn’t working”
3. Their policies were popular which included: preventing strike disruption, cutting taxes, keeping production up, and their promised “Right to Buy” scheme

Question 3

Give 5 Labour weaknesses that contributed to their 1979 General Election loss

Answer 3

1. Inflation hit 30% by mid 1975, as Callaghan’s way of dealing with the miner strikes in 1974 was by granting them a 29% wage hike
2. Between 1974 and 1976 unemployment more than doubled to 1.44 million and remained high for the rest of the decade
3. The situation got so bad Britain needed to take an IMF loan in 1976
4. This lack of ability to deal with inflation, unemployment and the trade unions culminated in the winter of discontent 1978-79
5. Callaghan seemed out of touch, and the phrase “Crisis what Crisis” became popular form of satire

Question 4

Give2 outside factors that contributed to the Conservative victory in the 1979 General Election

Answer 4

1. The collapse of the Liberal vote in the Midlands and the South for being a part of the government (Lib-Lab pact) that failed to deal with TU’s and associated with other failings allowed the Conservatives to take seats off of them
2. The Sun’s first endorsement of a Conservative candidate with the blatant headline “VOTE TORY THIS TIME”

Question 5

Overall what can be concluded as the reason for the 1979 General Election outcome?

Answer 5

Labour’s collapse, and failings to deal with the trade unions, which also brought down the Liberal Party by extension due to the Lib Lab pact

Question 6

What majority did the Conservatives win in the 1983 General Election?

Answer 6

144

Question 7

Give 2 Conservative influences that contributed to the 1983 General Election victory

Answer 7

1. Employment and Housing Act, which sold council houses to the C2 class (skilled working class) - Right to Buy
2. HOWEVER, a rise in economic problems had reduced the popularity of the party by 1981

Question 8

Give 2 Labour influences that contributed to the 1983 General Election loss

Answer 8

1. Michael Foot had a poor media image, and lacked an assured manner on television. He also had old fashioned Labour policies e.g. unilateral nuclear disarmament, further nationalisation of industry and government regulation - which exclusively targeted traditional Labour voters; the Labour manifesto was described as the “longest suicide note in history”
2. The Labour Party was also very divided and led to a split, where the moderate elements left to form the SDP in March 1981

Question 9

What outside factor could be seen as the largest contributor to the 1983 Conservative General Election victory?

Answer 9

The Falklands war, seen as a sign of Britain’s greater confidence and unity - Thatcher’s publication of dealing with it is ultimately what won them the election

Question 10

What majority did the Conservatives win in the 1987 General Election?

Answer 10

102

Question 11

Give 3 Conservative influences that contributed to the 1987 General Election victory

Answer 11

1. The policy of selling council houses and shares in privatised industries appealed to many middle-class and skilled working-class voters
2. People were either better off, or believed the government supported their desire to increase their wealth and status
3. Unemployment was falling and the pound was strong

Question 12

Give 3 Labour influences that contributed to their loss in 1987

Answer 12

1. Kinnock’s style had limited appeal to many voters as he often had long winded speeches and seemed to be a weaker leader than Thatcher who had a very firm hold over her party with a growing international reputation
2. Labour was more affected by the Alliance (Liberal and SDP electoral alliance) who contested every seat in 1987 - splitting the anti-Conservative vote
   HOWEVER - Kinnock crushed the division within the party publicly criticised prominent left wingers and brought the party back towards the centre

Question 13

What 2 factors could be seen to have been the most important in the Conservative 1987 General Election victory?

Answer 13

1. Thatcher’s strengths as a strong international figure, combined with successful Conservative policies
2. The Alliance splitting the anti-conservative vote