Why did Thatcher win three general elections? Flashcards
What was the outcome of the 1979 election?
The Conservatives won 43.9% of the vote and 339 seats
Labour won 36.9% of the vote and 269 seats
The Liberals won 13.8% of the vote
Where was the 1979 election decided largely?
In London, the south, and the Midlands where 40 seats changed hands because voters were punishing Labour for its failures
What had the previous decades created?
An enlarged middle class who felt increasingly resentful about strikes and trade union power
What did the piling up of rubbish seem symbolic of?
A decline in standards
Why was the Liberal vote significant in determining the outcome of the election?
Their total vote collapsed (-1mn) because of the Lib-Lab pact
This was enough to hand seats to the Conservatives
What happened to the Labour vote?
The vote didn’t significantly decline
The party succeeded in retaining its traditional support, where it won twice as many seats as the Conservatives
What did the Financial Terms observe?
‘this is a very divided country’
What was the outcome of the 1983 election?
The Conservatives won 42.4% of the vote and 397 seats
Labour won 27.6% of the vote and 209 seats
The Liberal/SDP alliance won 25.4% of the vote and 23 seats
What happened by 1981?
The rise in unemployment and economic problems had reduced the popularity of the government
What had the victory in the Falklands done?
Increased the personal popularity of Thatcher as it was seen as a sign of Britain’s greater confidence
What was Foot’s role in the Conservative victory?
His belief in nuclear disarmament, nationalism, and government regulation seemed old-fashioned
Policies made little appeal outside of strongholds
What happened in March 1981?
The more moderate elements of Labour split away to form the SDP
What was the manifesto described as?
‘the longest suicide note in history’ because it was so out of touch
What did the Liberal/SDP alliance do?
Split the anti-Thatcher vote which allowed Conservative gains in some traditional Labour seats
What was the outcome of the 1987 election?
Conservatives won 376 seats (lost 21 seats)
Labour won 229 seats (31.7%)
What didn’t allow for victory?
The weakness of the Labour leadership and the split in the party
What did Thatcher not have?
A ‘Falklands factor’ or ‘winter of discontent’ to campaign on
When Thatcher called an election what was the position of the Conservatives?
Had an 11.4% lead
Why did the Conservatives have a lead in 1987?
Council house policy appealed to the electorate
People believed the government supported their desire to increase their wealth
Unemployment had dropped by 300k to below 3mn
Pound was strong
What was the position of Labour?
Hadn’t fully recovered from its defeat in 1983 but Kinnock had criticised left-wingers and brought the party towards the centre
What was the Labour vote?
Polled over 1.5mn votes more than in 1983 and won 20 more seats
What was the impact of Kinnock?
Style had a limited appeal to voters and was often long-winded in speeches
What did Thatcher seem to be?
The stronger leader with a very firm hold over her colleagues and a growing international reputation
What was Labour more affected by?
The Alliance contested every seat and polled 22.6% of the vote
