The tyranny of blair Flashcards
What was Blairs biggest strength in dealing with the electorate
People thought he was in touch with the avg person
e.g. he supported a football team, was in a rock band at university
What was Blairs ‘third way’ economics
It didnt matter who delivered key public service, the public or private sector, as long as they were delivered
Who was Blairs main rival in the labour party
Brown, who as chancellor had huge power in domestic policy and was too successful and popular to be removed.
What changes did labour make in the uk in relation to devolution
Promised devolution referendums in their manifesto
Resulted in a devolved scottish parliament in 1997 and in 1998 in NI after the g.f. agreement. There was also a welsh assembly, though with more limited powers
The role of mayor of London was made electabable in 1999
Referendum for devolution in the north-east in 2004 but huge pushback halted any further progression in devolution
Who did Blair block from being mayor of london in 2000
Ken livingstone, face of the ‘loony left’ of the 80s.
What undemocratic institution did Blair attempt to reform, resulting in a messy and unpopular compromise
House of lords
what did a commision, led by jenkins, report in 1998 and was it ever acted on
First past the post be replaced with proportional representation
no
What act was passed by Blair in 2000, affording greater scrutiny of goverment services by the public and was immediately regretted
Freedom of information act
How many of labours 5 manifesto pledges to improving public services had been met by 2001
all 5
How many people attended a march in 2002 over the banning of hunting with dogs, and whaat did people think of labour because of it and what other issue
2002-Half a million-Around 10 million animals were culled becuase of an outbreak of hand foot and mouth disease-Labour were seen as too urban and disconnected from rural issues
What was Browns condition for allowing Blair to rule as PM
He would retain full control over the economy as Chancellor of the Exchequer
What image did Brown try to turn labour away from and how
A tax and spend party
He created a pro-buisness and pro-middle class image
Seperated the bank of england from the govt
Followed key monetarist principles in restricting the money supply
What was PFI
Private Finance Intiative
Labour govt tried to avoid tax raises so went into private debt to fund new projects
What was becoming increasingly seen as an issue by 2007
The rise in living standards was largely built on debt, especially on subprime mortgage lending and bad credit (2008 financial crisis)
