The Impact Of Thaterism On Society Flashcards
What did the house act of 1980 allow
What did he Labour Party think about this
What was the negative consequences ?
Gave council tenants the ‘right to buy’ their council house at a discount between 33 and 50 % depending on how long they lived in the house.
By 1988- 2 million had took advantage.
- labour opposed but dropped their opposition because it was so popular with the public particularly in the south.
Negative
- the sale of council houses was predominantly in better off areas and did not have a great impact on less desirable estates.
- money from council house sales was used to reduce debts and not buy more so the number of houses available for rent was reduced and the waiting list for homes got longer.
- many people were housed in emergency B and Bs and this was expensive and not suitable for families.
Who did thatchers economic reforms arouse
How were they constrained ?
Trade unions
Unions representing public sectors such as NUPE became more militants
Teacher unions carried on a lengthy dispute over working conditions in mid 1980s
- 1980- secondary picketing was out lawed
1984- unions were under pressure to hold ballots before strike action was called. - Rupert murdoch tried to reduce the power of the print unions
What was the longest and most symbolic episode in the industrial struggle ? Explain
Who payed a key role in the strikes
Miner strikes 1984- 1985
1981- NCB announced the need to close 23 pits.
1984- announced the need to close 20 pits
Scargill head of NUM claimed he saw a secret plan to close 70 pits. MacGregor rejected this but cabinet papers realised that there was indeed a strategy to close 75 pits over the following 3 years.
Scargill- refused to hold strike ballots (weakening his case)
The Nottingham miners formed a breakaway called the UDM scargill called them traitors. UDM said scargill cared to much about left wing politics than the miners.
- key role - police - new equipment, more experience of riot control and better tactics. Thatcher was accused of politicisation of the police - most famous - battle of Orgreave where 5000 minors were placed by 8000 police - resulted in serious violence more than 70 police officers were injured. 1991 South Yorkshire police ordered to pay compensation.
Why was scargill a key fa for for the NUM defeat
He alienated moderates
Never got support of the Labour Party leadership
Press demonised him as a dangerous revolutionary.
Kinnock later said “the minors didn’t deserve him, they deserved much much better. My view is that thatcher and scargill deserved each other but no one else did”
What was the outcome of scargill’s campaign
What did this mean for the unions
A complete failure
1979- the coal industry employed 200,000
1990- total was down to 60,000
-unions power was dramatically reduced.
1990- union membership was 2/3 of what it was in 1979. The ability for the unions to intimidate government was gone.
What was thatchers final attempt to reform local government finances
What did this show about thatcher
What was set up in opposition
Poll tax
If everyone contributed council would be more efficient and responsible for their own spendings.
Ministers found it difficult to justify why an old pension would pay the same as a millionaire.
Introduced to Scotland in 1989 and was extremely unpopular. Despite this it was introduced to England and Wales the following year.
Showed thatchers aloofness and her failure to connect with ordinary people.
- anti poll tax unions - in some areas up to 30% were none payers. Police, courts and councils were unable to enforce payment.
What happened in 1990 in opposition to poll tax
Anti poll tax demonstration in Trafalgar Square. 200,000 people attended.
Turned into a riot. 5,000 injured. Cars were overturned and set on fire, shop windows were smashed. 300 arrests made. Police were seen to have lost control.
How did thatcher upset the arts and education and what did they do as a result of this
Cut spending on higher education and cuts in public spending to the arts.
- oxford university voted against giving thatcher a honorary degree which had been given to every other oxford educated post war prime minster.
- playwritters such as Carly Churchill wrote plays that satirised thaterism.
What was faith in the city
The Church of England published a report in 1985 for the government to do more to help deprived communities.
How did thatcher cause a CND organised mass protest
1979- the decision was taken to station American cruise missiles at bases in Britain.
1981- a group of woman protestors set up a camp outside the Greenham Common base - where the cruise missiles were based. Other woman joined them as their camp became a focus point for feminism and pacifism the camp remind in place for 19 years.
1983 - when the cruise missiles were due to arrive- 70,000 protested formed a 14 mile human chain to protest. The council evicted the women and demolished the camp…. the women returned after dark and rebuilt it.
Why did environmental concerns continue to grow in the 1980s
Because of a series of industrial accidents, 1984 gas leak in India.
A growing understanding of long term implications of pollution e.g. Damage to limestone buildings by acid rain.
Pressure groups such as green peace grew in strength
