Thatcherism On Politics And Party Development Flashcards
What sorts of political divisions were created in the Thatcher years?
Political divisions such as the north-south divide and widening economic inequality.
In what ways did the gap between rich and poor widen during the Thatcher years?
By implementing free-market policies that favored wealth accumulation among the rich.
Why do political commentators talk about the creation of a north-south divide when discussing the Thatcher years?
Due to the economic policies that disproportionately affected the north of England compared to the south.
Who was the leader of the Conservative Party before Thatcher?
Edward Heath.
What was Edward Heath’s approach to the Conservative Party?
He attempted to modernize the Party and steer it rightwards but returned to the post-war consensus.
What economic policy did Edward Heath initially promise?
Free-market policies with no government interference in prices and wages.
What caused Edward Heath to retreat to the ‘prices and incomes’ policy?
Inflation hitting 15 percent in 1971.
Which industries did Edward Heath bail out despite his original policy?
Rolls Royce and the Upper Clyde shipbuilders.
What did Thatcher think about Heath’s U-turn on economic policy?
She and other right-wing Conservatives hated it.
What was Thatcher’s initial position within the Conservative Party in 1975?
Her neo-liberal views were a minority taste.
How did Thatcher manage to keep the traditional ‘one nation’ Conservatives on her side?
By enlisting William Whitelaw, a respected ‘wet’.
What was Thatcher’s ultimate goal for the Conservative Party?
To save Britain from ‘creeping socialism’.
What did Thatcher claim by 1976 regarding the Conservative Party?
That she had ‘changed everything’ about the Party.
What metaphor did Thatcher use to describe her leadership style?
She referred to herself as a ‘cort one naran’.
What did Thatcher say about consensus in politics?
Old Testament Prophets did not say ‘Brothers, I want a consensus.’
What was one of the accusations against male MPs during Thatcher’s leadership?
That they were doing nothing for female MPs.
What was Thatcher’s downfall linked to?
Her decisions that led to dissatisfaction among party members.
What term did Thatcher use to describe her approach to dissenting cabinet members?
She ‘handbagged’ them.
What was a key legacy of John Major after Thatcher?
The privatization of public enterprises.
What sorts of political divisions were created in the Thatcher years?
Political divisions such as the north-south divide and widening economic inequality.
In what ways did the gap between rich and poor widen during the Thatcher years?
By implementing free-market policies that favored wealth accumulation among the rich.
Why do political commentators talk about the creation of a north-south divide when discussing the Thatcher years?
Due to the economic policies that disproportionately affected the north of England compared to the south.
Who was the leader of the Conservative Party before Thatcher?
Edward Heath.
What was Edward Heath’s approach to the Conservative Party?
He attempted to modernize the Party and steer it rightwards but returned to the post-war consensus.