The Labour Party between 2001 and 2005

Question 1

Why was the LP so popular between 1997 and 2007?

Answer 1

• The New Deal
• Pledge Card - focus on education + training and minimum wage
• Welfare to work focusing on NEETs
• Moved away from a socialist party to a centralist party
• New future for Britain seen through reforms

Question 2

What did the CP outline as their priorities in 1997?

Answer 2

• Define purpose, clear aims, new narrative
• Ensure that we are once again trusted more than Labour on the economy
• Neutralise vulnerabilities on key policy issues
• Cut the image of under funding

Question 3

CP timeline

Answer 3

• May 1997 landslide election defeat to Labour
  Cons - 30.7% and 166 seats
  Lab - 43.2% and 418 seats
• June 1997 - election off William Hauge as leader
• June 2001 - landslide election defeat to Labour, resignation of William Hauge as leader, election of Ian Duncan Smith as leader. Twin Towers and War on Terror
  Cons - 31.7% with 166 seats
  Lab - 40.7% with 413 seats
• May 2003 - Duncan Smith replaced by Michael Howard
• May 2005 - closer, although still large, election defeat to Labour
  Cons - 32.3% with 198 seats
  Lab - 35.3% with 413 seats
• June 2005 - Election of David Cameron as leader