The fall of Thatcher and the Rise of Major Flashcards
When did Thatcher resign?
November 1990
I) What statistic about inflation was a key reason for Thatcher’s resignation?
II) Why did this happen?
I) It hit 11% in 1990 (the same as 1980)
II) Lawson’s economic policies
Why was the increase in inflation so bad for Thatcher?
Monetarisms’ primary goal was to prevent it
What shows the Poll tax was unpopular?
The 1990 riots
How was Thatcher viewed by the Public and much of her party?
As out of touch. They accused her of developing a “hunker mentality”
Which of Thatcher’s policies pitted her against Lawson and Howe?
Her hostility to the EEC
Which safe-seat loss in the October 1990 by-election proved political issues?
Eastbourne
Who was ahead in the opinion polls in 1990?
Labour
Who’s resignation sealed Thatcher’s fate?
Geoffrey Howe (1 November 1990)
Which politician announced a leadership challenge after Howe resigned?
Michael Heseltine
How many votes did:
I) Heseltine
II) Thatcher
Get in the leadership election?
I) 152
II) 204
What was the result of Heseltine’s challange?
The first vote was not conclusive and so a second ballot was to be taken. Thatcher was told by her confidants to step down, and she did
Who won the second Ballot?
John Major
I) Was Major Thatcher’s proffered replacement?
II) Why
I) Yes
II) He was a Thatcherite and supported Thatcherite economics
Why was Major elected?
He was much more collegiate with his colleagues and was a new direction
What was the result of Public Opinion when Major was elected?
The conservatives went ahead in the opinion polls
What was a major Tax reform Major introduced?
Replaced Poll tax for Council tax in November 1991
What was Major’s view on the EEC
Moderate between Favour and Scepticism
Who won the 1992 election?
The Conservatives
What was the Poll average for labour in 1992?
41% (to the conservatives 29%)
What was an economic reason the conservatives won the 1992 election?
Voters did not believe that Labour could fix the economy, despite blaming the conservatives for the problems
What did voters see Labour as in 1992?
The party of High Tax
What did Labour’s Sheffield rally show?
That labour seemed Triumphalist and Complacent
What was Major’s strategy in his campaign?
His old, soapbox tactics
Who did the press support in the 1992 election?
The Conservatives
What did unemployment increase to from mid-1991 to early 1992?
It went up from 1.6 Million to 2.6 Million
What was the house pricing crisis under major?
Negative equity
Why did the Conservatives increase public spending in 1992?
Rise of unemployment and to give greater funding to the NHS
How did Major get the money to invest in public sectors?
Borrowing
Why was Major’s high spending seem counter-productive?
It goes against monetarist principles
