Blair - 2001 and 2005 elections Flashcards
What factors led to Labour victory in both elections?
Conservative Party Leadership
Other Conservative weaknesses
Labour Strengths
The Zeitgeist and Labour’s Record on Social Policy
The Economic context and Labour’s Record on Economic Policy
The International Context and Labour’s Record on Foreign policy
What was the Conservative Party Leadership like in 2001?
William Hague was a witty and trenchant performer in the House of Commons, however, his qualities did not translate into popularity
What other Conservative weaknesses were there in 2001?
Internal divisions and conflicts - wets vs drys etc. Lacked a distinctive enough image to make them an attractive alternative in the eyes of voters.
What were Labour’s strengths in the 2001 election?
Labour maintained the massive majority it had gained in the 1997 election suggesting that the electorate considered the government had performed well over its four years in office. Tony Blair’s personal popularity was a major factor in labour’s success.
How did the Zeitgeist and Labour’s Record on Social Policy impact the 2001 election?
Improvements in public services and social inclusion:
Police Reform Act - 2002
Repeal of Section 28 - 2003
National Minimum Wage Act - 1998
Human Rights Act - 1998
How did the economic context and Labour’s Record on Economic Policy impact the 2001 election?
Britain’s finances seemed secure in the hands of Gordon Brown as the chancellor of the exchequer and the economy was growing.
How did foreign policy impact the 2001 election?
In regard to Northern Ireland Blair had taken a number of important initiatives - 1998 - Good Friday Agreement, leaving little room for the opposition to attack him. In foreign affairs, the government’s record was sound and while there was some uncertainty about the government’s attitude towards Europe, there was even more about the attitude of the Conservatives.
How did the Conservative Party Leadership impact the 2005 election?
The Conservative Party had 3 different leaders within 2 years. William Hague had been replaced by Iain Duncan Smith after the 2001 election defeat. In 2003, Duncan Smith, having proved an uninspiring leader was in turn replaced by Michael Howard. This did not impress the general public, who regarded the Conservatives as a divided party, lacking confidence and unlikely to be able to govern well.
What other Conservative weaknesses impacted the 2005 election?
Internal divisions. Since the Conservatives had supported the government’s decision to go into Iraq, they were unable to gain from the mounting criticism of the war.
What were the Labour strengths in 2005?
Skillfully backed by his spin doctors, Blair by 2005 was an experienced political operator who knew how to project his image. Howard was a competent Conservative leader but he was no real match for Blair in the presidential-style campaign that the PM conducted.
How did Labour Social policy impact the 2005 election?
Improved Social Inclusion:
Civil Partnership Act - 2004
Gender Recognition Act - 2004
Employment Act - 2004
How did the economy impact the 2005 election?
Knowledge of the economic difficulties that were beginning to face Britain had not become sufficiently widespread for it to count as a factor against the government.
How did foreign policy impact the 2005 election?
Although Blair’s involvement in the Iraq war lost him some popularity, he was still regarded by the electorate as the outstanding choice among party leaders.
