The Thatcher Governments Flashcards
1
Q
When was Thatcher Prime Minister?
A
- 1979 - 1983
(1979-1983
1983-1987
1987-1990) - leader of the CP from 1975-1990
2
Q
What was Thatcher’s aims and political philosphy?
A
- reverse UK’s economic decline
- political and economic policies emphasised:
- reduced state intervention,
- free markets,
- entrepreneurialism
- the selling off of state owened companies
3
Q
Summary of Thatcher’s time in office:
- industrial disputes
- re-election
- foreign
- leadership challenge
A
- gained support after 1982 Falklands War; re-elected following year
- hard line against trade unions
- survived assassination attempt and opposed Soviet Union (iron lady)
- re-elected 1987
- following years difficult; her Community Charge plan largely unpopular
- views regarding EC not shared by cabinet
- resigned in 1990 after leadership challenge by Michael Heseltine
4
Q
What was Thatcherism?
A
- roll back the state, reducing activities drastically by privatisation and deregulation
- fight against inflation
- individuals should be weaned off welfare dependence and encouraged to provide for themselves (reduce eligibility for state benefits)
- Deregulation mean to increase competitions + release creative energy of individuals; encouragement of private business —> further this
- vehemently anti-socialist
5
Q
What was Thatcher heavily influenced by that encouraged her economic philosphy?
A
- The New Right thinkers
- challenged Keynesian orthodoxy
- drew on the work of Milton Freidman + Freidrich von Hyeck
6
Q
Who were the Wets and Drys?
A
- Wet: nickname for member of CP known for being soft and sqeamish about social consequences of monetarist economic policies
- Dry CP who were firm and uncompromising in support for monoterism
7
Q
What was Thatcher’s term like with first Cabinet?
A
- 1979 Thatcher had to include ‘wets’ (traditionalists who held on to Keynesian inheritance)
- Almost 3/4 of first Cabinet identified with mainstream Toryism of post 1945
- limiting not until 1981 - could fight free
8
Q
What were relations like with Ireland in her first term?
- describe some of the murders
A
- Horrific events affected Anglo-Irish relations
- Thatcher strongly Unionist and relations with Irish, Fianna Fail premier, Charles Haughey tense
- 1979: freind and political ally, Airey Neave killed by an IRA car bomb at Westminister
- IRA also claimed responsibility for huge bomb which killed 18 members of Parachute Regiment at Warrenpoint in Co. Down
- In August 1980, Lord Mountbatten, member of Royal family killed whilst on yacht in Co. Sligo, Ireland
- hardened British opinion against Irish nationalist movements
9
Q
Relations with Ireland:
Maze Hunger Strike?
A
- Republican prisoners went on hunger strike in Maze prison, Belfast in 1980 for political status
- Thatcher under pressure to keep hardline stance
- The first series of hunger strikes ended with some concessions
- When prisoners demands not met further hunger strike at Maze
- Between May and August 1981: 10 Republican prisoners belonging to IRA and INLA starved themselves to death at Britain’s refusal to treat them as political prisoners and not criminals
10
Q
Maze Hunger Strikes:
who was the first to die?
A
- Commanding officer of the Provisional IRA in the Maze: Bobby Sands
- had been elected MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone during strike with over 30,000 votes
- over 100,000 attended funeral
11
Q
What was as a result of Thatcher’s stance in NI
A
- hard line stance gave increased support to nationalist movement, particularly Sinn Fein
- majority of Britain supported position
12
Q
The 1983 Election
How did the Conservative campaign influence Thatchers win?
A
- Fiercely attacked ‘pacifist’ unilateralist, particularly Michael foot, with much rhetoric aimed at ‘Marxist socialism’
- had backing of most of the popular press
- manifesto promised to reduce power of unions and abolish metropolitan councils
- undertook to continue sale of nationalised industries to private buyers
- traditional law and order brought to fore
- conservatives had 320 agents compared to 63 for Labour
- more efficient and unified
13
Q
The 1983 Election
How was labour a reason the conservatives won the election?
A
- appeared feeble and lacking in conviction
- divided by factionalism
- Shirley Williams, David Owen and Bill Rodgers left 29 Labour MPs to from new Social Democratic Part
- unpopular leader, Michael Foot
- election manifesto describe “the longest suicide note in history” by Gerald Kaufman
- too detailed in parts ambiguous in others
- labour in terminal decline
14
Q
The 1983 Election
Why did Healey argue labour lost?
A
- healey believed labour’s confused defence policy lost party some traditional labour supporters
- felt labour missed opps offered by TV to put ideas across
- commented on Falklands war that Mrs Thatcher’s “gloried in slaughter” and was obliged to apologise
15
Q
The 1983 Election
What did labour stand for that made them unpopular?
A
- a left wing programme was formulated which was anti-NATO, anti Europe, unilateralist and commited the party to give consideration to various unpopular causes such as feminism, Irish nationalism and “green issues”
- in deep disarray
16
Q
The 1983 Election
How did the SDP help Thatcher win?
A
- Social Democratic Party
- Falklands factor wiped out initial momentum
- Formed in 1981 as centrist movement
- expected to draw in voters disillusioned with right and left extremism
- an attempt to avoid splitting the centrist vote led to Alliance with Liberals in early 1983 - difficulties and popularity fell
- To a certain extent, the existence of the Alliance/ SDP split vote for those against Tories - allowing huge victory
17
Q
Result of 1983 election
what was the main reason for Thatcher’s win and why?
What was the election votes?
A
- With the economy showing distinct signs of recovery and inflation falling fast, Thatcher successfully exploited Falklands Factor
- 397 seats - CP (huge majority of 142)
- 209 seats - L
- Alliance 23 seats
- Labour just managed to beat Alliance into third place on votes 28% vs 26%
18
Q
The 1983 election
how was Thatcher’s vote not completely in her favour?
A
- only 42.9% of the popular vote (less than what was polled in election’s between 1945-1979)
- badly in scotland and Northern England
19
Q
The 1983 Election
How do the votes show labours decline?
A
- 28% of votes (lowest percentage since 1918)
- less than 40% of trade unionists and even less than half of unemployed voted Labour
20
Q
Thatcher’s second term was in?
A
- 1983-1987
21
Q
Thatcher cabinet from 1983?
A
- The New Cabinet
- reshaped cabinet after decisive win
e.g. - Deputy PM William Whitelaw - stalwart supporter granted hereditary peerage since 1964
- Foreign Secretary: Geoffrey Howe: (Francis Pym too conciliatory during Falklands Conflict)
- Exchequer: Nigel Lawson (monetarist)
- Defence: Michael Heseltine
- second term turned into a crusade of increasing radicalism
22
Q
1983 -
Why did Thatcher not like Local Governments?
A
- Local authorities like Greater London Council (GLC) massive spenders
- usually Labour controlled, in some cases by far left
- e.g leader of GLC, Ken Livingstone and Liverpool council leader, Derik Hatton
- in liverpool, city council became a symbol of ideological extremism and financial extravagance
- became embroiled in disputes over rate capping to deal with excessive expenditure
- local councils tried to defy gov by applying surcharges to compensate for gov spending cuts
23
Q
1983 -
What did Thatcher do to deal with problem of local governments?
A
- 1986 Local Government Act abolished the metropolitan authorities and curbed powers of local councils in general.
- GLC and Merseyside authority effectively disbanded
- victory for T but severe blow to local democracy and participation in gov
24
Q
1983 -
What were problems with Ireland?
A
- violence and murder con/ Thatcher and ministers came close to disaster during Annual Party Conference in Oct 1984: IRA bomb severely damaged the Grand Hotel in Brighton
- NI: growing economic decay with rate of unemployment highest in Britain at 21%
- The figure rose to 30 or even 40% in Catholic working class areas of Belfast and Bogside in Derry
25
Q
1983-
What did Thatcher do in responce to the problems of Northern Ireland?
A
- The Hillsborough agreement in 1985 agreed that Ulster should remain part of UK according to wishes of majority
- ministers from Britain and ROI would meet regularly for reviews
- caused uproar amongst Ulster unionist (P) who resigned their seats in mass protest
- but provided hope for involvement of Ulsters Catholic minority
- act changed little as violence continues
- security remained severe - only 3% of RUC catholic
26
Q
1983-
What did Thatcher do with the BBC?
A
- conflict over funding and anti-gov reporting (particularly over British participation in Libyan bombing raids of 1986)
- focus on NI caused friction
- gov banned interviews with Sinn Fein
- Increasingly demoralised, BBC constantly challenged
- gov appointed Thatcherite “Duke” Hussey as BBC chairman
27
Q
1983-
What did Thatcher do with GCHQ?
A
- Concerns over security led to gov ban of trade union membership at the GCHQ security base in Cheltenham
- Gov though it perfectly reasonable to equate union membership with disloyalty
28
Q
1983-
Describe Tory Revolts
A
- Ted Heath “wet” most consistent Tory critic
- led a spirited opposition to gov’s determination to dismantle GLC
- opposed Poll Tax + gov’s stance on Europe
- 1986 - serious revolt of 72 Tories threatened legislation of Sunday trading
- Michael Heseltine, most serious revel with westland affair
29
Q
1883-
What and when was the westland affair?
A
- failing Westland Helicopter sought govs approval to agree to rescue deal with American company Sikorsky
- Heseltine, SoS: Defence, favoured Europan partner
- his rows with Leon Brittan Sos: Trade and Industry embarrisingly public
- Thatcher’s dictatorial manner criticised
- 1986: Heseltine resigned from Cabinet in disgust at gov’s refusal to give matter full debate
- doc referring to Heseltine leaked to press
- Thatcher spared embarrassment when Leon Brittan took responsibility and resigned
- Neil Kinnock failed to take advantage of sit in commons debate, crisis passed
30
Q
1983-
What was Spycatcher?
A
- 1986 gov tried to suppress publication of book, Spycatcher, by ex-member of MI5, Peter Wright
- included allegations that MI5 tried to destabilise Wilson’s gov
- Cabinet Secretary, Robert Armstrong sent to prevent publication
- referenced civil servants being “economical with the truth”: summed up Gov’s dictatorial attitude
- published but not allowed to be sold in UK (easily bought abroad)
31
Q
How big was the conservative win in 1987?
A
- Thatcher called general election June 1987
- landslide victory
- 375 seats + 42.2%
- more women candidates had stood than ever
- North-South divide strengthening
- lost 11 of the 21 seats had in Scotland
- Tories had no representation in many northern cities
- Labour weak in south
- main challenge in 3/5 of C seats was Alliance
32
Q
Generally why did Thatcher win the 1987 election?
A
- marked height of Thatcherism
- major innovations - sale of council houses, reform of the unions, privatisation of industry, tax reform - met with popular acclaim
- genuine public image of national strength and rising prosperity
33
Q
How were Conservative parties a reason Thatcher won the 1987 election?
A
- by 1987, the previous Thatcher policies appeared to produce “economic miracle” in a consumer driven boom, especially in already C prosperous areas
- this was sufficient enough to secure 3rd victory
- privatisation - which produced windfall profits - popular programme
- also sale of council housing stock
- real wages in prosperous areas were higher than inflation + many regarded gov stance on trade union reform positively
- Lawson’s giveaway tax budget in March 1987 confirmed C popularity among those in work
- Lawson regarded as main reason for gov post-Falklands electoral strength: enhancing rep for competence, enterprise and success
34
Q
How could you argue that labour was not the key reason for Conservative election win in 1987?
A
- more effective campaign than in 1983
- more up to date public relations techniques
- A party political broadcast, titled Kinnock, enlisted talents of Hugh Hudson
- Campaign showed how much LP managers had learned under Thatcherism: how to market their product in a way that appealed to customers
- Some more radical proposals such as abolishing House of Lords, withdrawing from Europe and closing American nuclear bases - dropped
35
Q
How was labour a reason for conservative win in 1987?
A
- Party still vulnerable on defence - committed to decommissioning of British nuclear deterrent despite unpopularity
- labour changed very little
- seemed happiest when proclaiming undying support for NHS and state education
- hence backward looking
- little to say on technological change and wealth creation - issues of the future
- muffled on trade union reform and tax policy
- confused on Europe
- still based on old industrial areas of Scotland, Wales and North
- hardly existed in south
- outside parts of inner London, only held 2 seats in south and east
36
Q
How was falling influence on the Allience a reason for the Conservative win of the 1987 election?
A
- decline of Alliance + impact of SDP on british politics
- had the SDP defectors remained within the Labour party they could have made significant contribution to Labour’s early reform
- thus Labour defeat in 1983 and 1987 would have been uncertain
- the split opposition vote told in favour of the tories
37
Q
Focus on Labour: 1979-1987
- How was Party Structure a key weakness of labour?
A
- By 1970s the outdated party structure problem
- in past trade unions usually sided with leader at arty conferences - ensure passing of motions
- however, a generation of left wing union leaders made this support less certain
- TU become increasingly estranged from the party by action of labour gov concerning prices and incomes policy
38
Q
Focus on Labour: 1979-1987
How was party machinery a key weakness of labour?
A
- party machinery in country particularly poor
- Wilson described it as “like a penny-farthing machine in the jet age”
- membership declined
- early 1950s had about 1 million members
- by early 1980s declined to 250,000
- party leadership remained complacent - believed that the need for local electioneering and other activities were “now largely a ritual”
39
Q
Focus on Labour: 1979-1987
How was Neil Kinnock an ineffective leader of the labour party? - weakness
A
- criticised by right-wing press
- did achieve some positives
- abandoned more left wing aspects of 1983 manifesto
- publicly criticised prominent left wingers e.g Derek Hatton of Liverpool + Arthur Scargill
- slowly left was marginalised + most electorally damaging policies dropped
- process incomplete
40
Q
Focus on Labour: 1979-1987
How was the battle for deputy leadership in 1980 a key labour weakness?
A
- labour shaken to core by battle for deputy leadership by Denis Healey and Tony Benn
- battle of social leadership as much as ideas
- Healey: centre-right, older unions, traditional “broad church” section of P
- Benn voice of far left, middle class zealots, unilateralists, college lecturers et
- Healey won narrowly: 50.3% of popular vote
- but it left the party looking damaged and fragile
41
Q
Focus on Labour: 1979-1987
How was the adoption of new constitutional procedures a weakness of labour?
A
- 1980 “committee of inquiry” at Bishop Stortford recommended new constitutional procedures
- influenced by the “campaign for Labour Party Democracy” - small body of 1,200 members
- In disastrous party conference at Wembley in jan 1981 new constitutional procedures adopted
- decided there would be an “electoral college” to elect party leader and deputy leader
- compulsory re-selection of all parliamentary candidates
- consequence was to give far left power to remove right wing or moderate figures
- labour party moving dangerously to left
- this was point when Shirley williams, david owens etc left to form SDP
42
Q
Focus on Labour: 1979-1987
How was the SDP a key weakness of the Labour party?
A
- Jenkins, Williams and other pro-Europeans became increasingly alienated as left were particularly anti-europe
- gang of three jenkins, owens, williams became 4 with rodger issued the limehouse declaration and left to form SDP
- they were influential labour figures
- joined by 10 L mps and 1 C
- across country many labour councilors in local gov rushed to join party
- within weeks party had ~ 50,000 members
- opinion polls Nov 1981: up to 45% of electorate supported new “allience” (SDP and Liberal party)
- 1983 -25.4% pop vote only 23 seats
- 1987 mere 23% + 22 seats
- david steel merged Liberal and SDP after election - damaged new Liberal democratic party
43
Q
Focus on Labour: 1979-1987
How were labour’s policies a key weakness?
A
- labour became increasingly far-left: inc
- hostility to NATO
- Hostility to Europe and Common market
- Hostile to system of national nuclear defence (during cold war)
- commitment to mass nationalisation
- reinforcing power of unions
- the manifesto labour finally adopted in 1983 election paid deference to wishes of “greens”, Unilateralists, Irish republicans, homosexuals, and feminists
- termed “the longest suicide note in history”
44
Q
Focus on Labour: 1979-1987
What were the election results like for labour?
A
- By 1982 labour party in disaray
- disastrous by election in feb 1982, Bermondsey, a docks constituency in east London, labour since 1918, labour’s candidate crushingly defeated by liberals
