8 The Effect of Thatcherism on Politics and Party Development Flashcards
How did the Conservatives respond to Thatcherism after Thatcher’s downfall in 1989?
It did not end the Conservative Party’s commitment to Thatcherism.
How was the cabinet dominated by wets when MT came to power?
Men appointed by Edward Heath e.g Jim Prior, Lord Hailsham - committed to PW consensus. Unable to completely remove moderates from her cabinet
Who were traditional conservatives rejected in place of?
Rejected in place of the free market and by those who had not been born rich.
How did Thatcher exclude wets from economic policy?
1981 Jim Prior made secretary of state for Northern Ireland - dumping ground for wets. 1981 cabinet reshuffle described as a purge of the wets - e.g Sir Ian Gilmour, Lord Soames and Mark Carlisle sacked.
What happened after the 1981 cabinet reshuffle?
Thatcherites put in dominant positions. Still took Thatcher 2 terms to secure majority of Tory party. End of 1980s - Thatcherism dominant in Conservatives.
What was significant about the wet Michael Heseletine?
He survived cabinet reshuffle. Secretary of state for environment and promoted sale of council houses in 1981. Challenged MT about scale of unemployment. After 1981 riots he developed Enterprise Zones and Development Corporations in unemployment zones.
What was the Westland Affair?
Heseltine resigned after conflict over fate of Westland Helicopters - stated it was due to her presidential style of leadership.
What impact did the poll tax have?
- MT recognised as unpopular by 1990 and unlikely to win another election.
- Party’s popularity had declined after Poll Tax.
- All Britain Anti Poll Tax Federation organised as a demonstration in 1990.
- Poll tax = high tax bills, taxpayers refused to pay = bad publicity.
Aside from the poll tax, what also made Thatcher unpopular?
Unpopular due to high interest rates at 15% draining income from MC homeowners, water privatisation, divisions over powers given to EEC, Geoffrey Howe’s resignation over MT’s anti Europe policies
How did Thatcher face leadership challenge?
Michael Heseltine ran against her and MT realised she had lost support. Most Thatcher like candidate replaced her - John Major.
How different were the Conservatives under John Major?
Continued free market policies and policies designed to promote a strong state.
How did the John Major gov rethink the poll tax?
Increased gov grant to local authorities to reduce the poll tax bills by 50%. Appointed MH to create a new policy. Council tax created = exemptions so those living alone could pay less - not a MT principle
How did John Major continue the policy of privatisation?
British rail privatised 1992. Public didn’t support privatisation of utilities - particularly water as bills shot up by 40% in the first 5 years. New consensus that private industry was better.
How did John Major approach economic policy?
Continued with free market policies. Showed his rejection of corporatism through the abolishment of the National Economic Development Council in 1992.
How did John Major approach the public sector?
- NHS - internal market in NHS.
- PFI - Private Finance Initiative 1992, state should fund but not provide public services. Private companies build and maintain schools with funding from gov.
- Law and order - Policing even tougher. Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (1994)
