BRITAIN 6 THATCHER & THE END OF
CONSENSUS
May 1979
She would be 1st female MP – but this also increased suspicion.
Modest, working-class background.
Strong conviction politics, clear policies, & determination.
Provided media w photo opportunities (e.g. drinking tea in a factory).
Reasons for Thatcher’s election victories:
Used presidentialism b/c opposing manifestos were v similar.
Even though Callaghan had been 20 points ahead, his response to Winter of
Leadership Discontent made him look out of touch.
Jun 1983
a) 1979 [6]
Decisive leadership during Falklands 1982 – reinforced Iron Lady.
Bring election forward by 1yr helped take advantage of the war.
b) 1983 [4]
Dealing w Russians in the cold war further reinforced iron lady.
Foot lacked assertiveness on TV & was compared to a scarecrow.
c) 1987 [4] Jun 1987
Successfully defeated the 1984-5 miners’ strike – Iron Lady
Thatcher had a growing international rep – strong relationship w Reagan.
Kinnock was inclined to long-winded debates.
Kinnock’s move to the centre, despite being left wing, made him look
untrustworthy.
May 1979
Economic policies would’ve had minimal impact in 1979 b/c Labour & Cons manifestos
were v similar economically.
Jun 1983
Stage 1 – Monetarism – opposite of Keynesianism – aimed to reduce inflation by
restricting spending.
Reasons for Thatcher’s election victories:
Inflation went from 20% (80) to <5% (83).
Right to buy incr social mobility – home ownership incr from 15% to 65% - appealed to
Economic Policies
MC & WC voters.
But right to buy drove house prices up & resulted in less council housing.
Led to high unemployment - 13% in 1982
a) 1979 [1]
Cuts to gov spending in public health, edu, housing etc = unpop.
Social unrest & discontent (e.g. in Manchester) - Thatcher was v unpop.
b) 1983 [7] Jun 1987
Supply side economics – stimulate growth w lower taxes & deregulating.
c) 1987 [7]
Deregulation allowed London to remain @ the centre of the global financial market.
Deregulation led to a selfish “get rich quick” attitude that Thatcher hadn’t intended.
Most ppl felt better of b/c of right to buy, cuts in income tax, etc.
Only the rich really benefitted – the gap between rich & poor widened.
Credit & borrowing meant even the poorer felt better off.
Defeat of miners’ strike contrasted w winter of discontent.
May 1979
Callaghan chose to call the election in 1979, rather than 1978, so Labour
was tainted by the winter of discontent.
Failure to deal w Tus created an enlarged MC who felt resentful abt
strikes & TU power.
Jun 1983
Reasons for Thatcher’s election victories: Gang of 4 split to make SDP in 1981 – gained ¼ of the vote in 1983,
stealing many labour votes.
Labour’s Weaknesses SDP also meant non-tory votes were split between more parties.
But SDP & Labour votes didn’t exceed Conservative votes in 1983 (did in
a) 1979 [2] 1987).
Tony Benn & Militant Tendency (Marxists) were presented as the “loony
b) 1983 [8] left”
Allowed Conservatives to present Labour as divided & extreme.
c) 1987 [1] 1983 election manifesto was called GB’s “longest ever suicide note”.
Appealed mainly to traditional Labour voters.
Unilateralism, nationalisation, etc seemed old fashioned.
Jun 1987
Even after Kinnock moved centre, Labour lost in 1987.
, May 1979
Had been very pro-Europe, which fit w the general attitudes of the
time.
June 1983
Apr-Jun 1982 Falklands War – Thatcher’s initiative & leadership
Reasons for Thatcher’s election victories:
reinforced her iron lady image & her popularity.
Thatcher had good relations w the USA – they provided troops &
Foreign Policy intelligence during the Falklands War.
But she was criticised for sinking the General Belgrano & killing >200
a) 1979 [1] sailors.
Thatcher’s ability to deal the Russians in the Cold War reinforced her
b) 1983 [3] iron lady image.
c) 1987 [2] June 1987
Managed to negotiate a rebate of 66% in the EEC in Jun 1985.
Feb 86 – Single European Act – moved towards federalism b/c it
committed the countries to closer monetary & political union, as well
as supranationally. Right to veto was also abolished.
June 1983
Housing Act 1980 – Right to Buy incr social mobility & social
incentives, but also drove house prices up & reduced council
housing.
June 1987
Made uni self-sufficient w/o abolishing grants for the
Reasons for Thatcher’s election victories: underprivileged.
But security of tenure was threatened & Oxford refused to
Social Policies grant an honorary degree in 1985.
a) 1983 [1] Schools were given financial independence by becoming grant
maintained & the curriculum was standardised.
b) 1987 [5] The curriculum was too restrictive, especially in Eng & His & w
section 28, & testing was too frequent (SATs, GCSEs, A Levels).
Thatcher’s NHS policies (e.g. becoming encouraging
competition) injected some financial discipline but was also
seen as an unwanted step towards privatisation.
a)
TU power had been a major economic issue during the Labour gov b/c of
the constant strikes, closed shop, & wage increases.
Thatcher took a diff approach to Heath – his 1971 Industrial Act had all
restrictions @ once & so was easy to oppose. Thatcher used a piecemeal
method w the 1980 & 82 Employment Acts & 1984 Trade Union Act.
Success of Thatcher’s Economic Policies: These acts forbade mass picketing, outlawed the closed shop, & made it
mandatory to hold a formal ballot before industrial action.
Dealing w TUs Gov preparations (e.g. coal & oil stores) were one of the main reasons
the 1984 Miners’ Strike failed.
a) Successful [6] B/c the miners were one of the biggest unions, this marked a major
defeat for TUs.
b) Not Successful [2] Thatcher’s successes against the TUs contrasted well against Labour’s
record (esp Winter of Discontent).
b)
Thatcher had destroyed the livelihoods of historical communities (esp b/c
of coal pit closures).
TU power had been minimised too much – too little protection for
workers.
a)
Monetarism – opposite of Keynesianism – aimed to reduce
inflation by restricting spending.
Inflation went from 20% (80) to <5% (83) to <3% (86).
Right to buy incr social mobility – home ownership incr from 15%
Success of Thatcher’s Economic Policies: to 65% - appealed to MC & WC voters – and introd economic
incentives.
1st Stage b)
But right to buy drove house prices up & resulted in less council
a) Successful [3] housing.
b) Not Successful [5] Led to high unemployment - 13% / 3mill in 1982
Cuts to gov spending in public health, edu, housing etc = unpop.
Social unrest & discontent (e.g. in Manchester) - Thatcher was v
unpop.
Resulted in a severe recession, which is part of the reason why
Thatcher changed to supply side economics after 1983.
CONSENSUS
May 1979
She would be 1st female MP – but this also increased suspicion.
Modest, working-class background.
Strong conviction politics, clear policies, & determination.
Provided media w photo opportunities (e.g. drinking tea in a factory).
Reasons for Thatcher’s election victories:
Used presidentialism b/c opposing manifestos were v similar.
Even though Callaghan had been 20 points ahead, his response to Winter of
Leadership Discontent made him look out of touch.
Jun 1983
a) 1979 [6]
Decisive leadership during Falklands 1982 – reinforced Iron Lady.
Bring election forward by 1yr helped take advantage of the war.
b) 1983 [4]
Dealing w Russians in the cold war further reinforced iron lady.
Foot lacked assertiveness on TV & was compared to a scarecrow.
c) 1987 [4] Jun 1987
Successfully defeated the 1984-5 miners’ strike – Iron Lady
Thatcher had a growing international rep – strong relationship w Reagan.
Kinnock was inclined to long-winded debates.
Kinnock’s move to the centre, despite being left wing, made him look
untrustworthy.
May 1979
Economic policies would’ve had minimal impact in 1979 b/c Labour & Cons manifestos
were v similar economically.
Jun 1983
Stage 1 – Monetarism – opposite of Keynesianism – aimed to reduce inflation by
restricting spending.
Reasons for Thatcher’s election victories:
Inflation went from 20% (80) to <5% (83).
Right to buy incr social mobility – home ownership incr from 15% to 65% - appealed to
Economic Policies
MC & WC voters.
But right to buy drove house prices up & resulted in less council housing.
Led to high unemployment - 13% in 1982
a) 1979 [1]
Cuts to gov spending in public health, edu, housing etc = unpop.
Social unrest & discontent (e.g. in Manchester) - Thatcher was v unpop.
b) 1983 [7] Jun 1987
Supply side economics – stimulate growth w lower taxes & deregulating.
c) 1987 [7]
Deregulation allowed London to remain @ the centre of the global financial market.
Deregulation led to a selfish “get rich quick” attitude that Thatcher hadn’t intended.
Most ppl felt better of b/c of right to buy, cuts in income tax, etc.
Only the rich really benefitted – the gap between rich & poor widened.
Credit & borrowing meant even the poorer felt better off.
Defeat of miners’ strike contrasted w winter of discontent.
May 1979
Callaghan chose to call the election in 1979, rather than 1978, so Labour
was tainted by the winter of discontent.
Failure to deal w Tus created an enlarged MC who felt resentful abt
strikes & TU power.
Jun 1983
Reasons for Thatcher’s election victories: Gang of 4 split to make SDP in 1981 – gained ¼ of the vote in 1983,
stealing many labour votes.
Labour’s Weaknesses SDP also meant non-tory votes were split between more parties.
But SDP & Labour votes didn’t exceed Conservative votes in 1983 (did in
a) 1979 [2] 1987).
Tony Benn & Militant Tendency (Marxists) were presented as the “loony
b) 1983 [8] left”
Allowed Conservatives to present Labour as divided & extreme.
c) 1987 [1] 1983 election manifesto was called GB’s “longest ever suicide note”.
Appealed mainly to traditional Labour voters.
Unilateralism, nationalisation, etc seemed old fashioned.
Jun 1987
Even after Kinnock moved centre, Labour lost in 1987.
, May 1979
Had been very pro-Europe, which fit w the general attitudes of the
time.
June 1983
Apr-Jun 1982 Falklands War – Thatcher’s initiative & leadership
Reasons for Thatcher’s election victories:
reinforced her iron lady image & her popularity.
Thatcher had good relations w the USA – they provided troops &
Foreign Policy intelligence during the Falklands War.
But she was criticised for sinking the General Belgrano & killing >200
a) 1979 [1] sailors.
Thatcher’s ability to deal the Russians in the Cold War reinforced her
b) 1983 [3] iron lady image.
c) 1987 [2] June 1987
Managed to negotiate a rebate of 66% in the EEC in Jun 1985.
Feb 86 – Single European Act – moved towards federalism b/c it
committed the countries to closer monetary & political union, as well
as supranationally. Right to veto was also abolished.
June 1983
Housing Act 1980 – Right to Buy incr social mobility & social
incentives, but also drove house prices up & reduced council
housing.
June 1987
Made uni self-sufficient w/o abolishing grants for the
Reasons for Thatcher’s election victories: underprivileged.
But security of tenure was threatened & Oxford refused to
Social Policies grant an honorary degree in 1985.
a) 1983 [1] Schools were given financial independence by becoming grant
maintained & the curriculum was standardised.
b) 1987 [5] The curriculum was too restrictive, especially in Eng & His & w
section 28, & testing was too frequent (SATs, GCSEs, A Levels).
Thatcher’s NHS policies (e.g. becoming encouraging
competition) injected some financial discipline but was also
seen as an unwanted step towards privatisation.
a)
TU power had been a major economic issue during the Labour gov b/c of
the constant strikes, closed shop, & wage increases.
Thatcher took a diff approach to Heath – his 1971 Industrial Act had all
restrictions @ once & so was easy to oppose. Thatcher used a piecemeal
method w the 1980 & 82 Employment Acts & 1984 Trade Union Act.
Success of Thatcher’s Economic Policies: These acts forbade mass picketing, outlawed the closed shop, & made it
mandatory to hold a formal ballot before industrial action.
Dealing w TUs Gov preparations (e.g. coal & oil stores) were one of the main reasons
the 1984 Miners’ Strike failed.
a) Successful [6] B/c the miners were one of the biggest unions, this marked a major
defeat for TUs.
b) Not Successful [2] Thatcher’s successes against the TUs contrasted well against Labour’s
record (esp Winter of Discontent).
b)
Thatcher had destroyed the livelihoods of historical communities (esp b/c
of coal pit closures).
TU power had been minimised too much – too little protection for
workers.
a)
Monetarism – opposite of Keynesianism – aimed to reduce
inflation by restricting spending.
Inflation went from 20% (80) to <5% (83) to <3% (86).
Right to buy incr social mobility – home ownership incr from 15%
Success of Thatcher’s Economic Policies: to 65% - appealed to MC & WC voters – and introd economic
incentives.
1st Stage b)
But right to buy drove house prices up & resulted in less council
a) Successful [3] housing.
b) Not Successful [5] Led to high unemployment - 13% / 3mill in 1982
Cuts to gov spending in public health, edu, housing etc = unpop.
Social unrest & discontent (e.g. in Manchester) - Thatcher was v
unpop.
Resulted in a severe recession, which is part of the reason why
Thatcher changed to supply side economics after 1983.
