1990-1997 Flashcards
(120 cards)
1
Q
Describe John Majors upbringing?
A
- Born in 1943 in London
- Major moved to Brixton, and left school at 16, with no post 16 education
- He alternated betweeen clerk and construction jobs, before joining standard chartered bank and worked his way up
- Briefly lived in Nigeria in 1960s
- In 1979, he was elected into the house of commons for the conservative, where he rose through the ranks and gained the attention of maggie
- Quickly became her chief secretary of the treasury and then foreign sec and then CofE
2
Q
What was John Majors’ image like before coming PM?
A
He was seen as a stollid MP and a ‘safe pair of hands’. Thatcherites saw him as one of them but some believed he had betrayed Maggie
Had a genuine appeal to ordinary people to his less privelleged upbringing
3
Q
Why was the 1992 election a shock?
A
It was widely assumed that Labour would win the 1992 election
However, Neil Kinnock led a poorly judged LAB campaign, when in a sheffield rally a week before the election he applieda ‘razzamataz’ of American politics with Kinnock arriving in a helicopter accompanied by an orchestra. Kinnock also exchanged boundless, repetitive shouts with the audience that Kinnock later admitted was tasteless and premature.
4
Q
What did LAB do in the short term that jepordised their chance of winning the 1992 election?
A
- Neil Kinnock led a poorly judged LAB campaign, when in a sheffield rally a week before the election he applieda ‘razzamataz’ of American politics with Kinnock arriving in a helicopter accompanied by an orchestra. Kinnock also exchanged boundless, repetitive shouts with the audience that Kinnock later admitted was tasteless and premature.
- LAB also presented a shadow budget that seemed to threaten increases in taxation
- This contrasted to Major who would stand on a soap box and suggest the CONs were the only ones who could manage the economy effectively
- The sun also switched support from the Labour party to the conservatives lasst minute
- Many also felt that LAB had not yet reformed enough
5
Q
How many seats/votes did CONs get in the 1992 election?
A
336 seats and 51.6% of the votes
6
Q
How many seats/votes did LAB get in the 1992 eleciton?
A
271 seats and 41.6% of the vote
7
Q
Explain the result of the 1992 election?
A
Labour gained 42 seats, and the CONs lost 40 seat, yet they still retained a majoirty of 21 seats
8
Q
What were the major scandals/sleaze under Major?
A
- His affair with Edwina currie
- Iraq scandals
- Cash for questions affair
9
Q
What made the CON leadership seem even more sleezy?
A
Major had launched a ‘back to basics’ campaign, upon which much of his social policies drew upon.
10
Q
What was the ‘back to basics’ campaign?
A
Launched by Major in 1993, he suggested it was time Britain got ‘back to basics’ that the radical society needed to go, the nation should return to innocence and there should be a move away from the ‘selfish soceiety’ of Thatcher
11
Q
What was the ‘back to basics’ campaign?
A
Launched by Major in 1993, he suggested it was time Britain got ‘back to basics’ that the radical society needed to go, the nation should return to innocence and there should be a move away from the ‘selfish soceiety’ of Thatcher
12
Q
What were the Iraq scandals under major?
A
The scott enquiry showed that ‘ministers had been economical with the truth’ in enabling the arms company matrix churchill to supply arms to Iraw, despite its illegality due to the embarg on Iraq. Jonathon Aitken breached the embargo on Iraw himself when he exported arms to Iraw from his defence contracting firm
13
Q
What was the ‘cash for questions’ affair?
A
Neil Hamilton and other conservative MPs were found accepting money in exchange for lobbying on behalf of contreversial owner of Harrods Muhammed Al Fayed
14
Q
Why was the ‘Cash for questions’ affair particularly damaging?
A
Neil Hamilton refused to Resign, greatly irritating and embarrasing Major. IT lasted such a long time in the press, all the way to the run up of the 1997 election. Hamilton was beat in the elction by independent Martin Bell
15
Q
How was John Major presented in the Media?
A
- Spitting image made portrayed Major in only black and white and as dull and boring
- THe private eye made and Adrian Mole spoof ‘The secret Diary of John Major aged 47 and 3/4’
- Guardian cartoonists portrayed him as a grey superhero wearing Y Fronts
Nonetheless, none of the satire was viscious and he remained personally more popular than the rest of his party
16
Q
What were Major’s main political policies?
A
- General continuation of Privitisation
- The Private finance initiative
- The Citizens charter
- Cones hotline
- Continuation of pit closures
17
Q
Majors political policies
Explain the continuation of privitisation under Major?
A
Coal was Privitised in 1994 and and the railways were privitised in 1996, there were plans to privitise the post office, but these fell through due to public concerns
18
Q
Majors political policies
Explain the Private finance initiative?
A
Public - private partnerships meant that private companies would finance infrastructure and then deliver the public serrvices that the state would pay for over the length of the contract
19
Q
Majors political policies
Explain the citizens’ charter?
A
Introduced in 1991, the Citizens charter attempted to give public services users more power over the quality of services they achieved, by providing information about the standards they should expect, this involved more testing in education and schools publishing the results
20
Q
Majors political policies
What was the ‘cones hotline’?
A
A phone network that could be rung if motorwats were closed off without any sign of roadwork - this became a target of political satire and mockery
21
Q
Majors political policies
Explain the continuation of pit closures under Major?
A
in 1991, Heseltine announced the closure of 31 pits, including those in nottinhamshire (seen as a poor reward for not striking)
This caused outcry and Heseltine had to Ut turn in the short term, but closures still went ahead
22
Q
What domestic crisis was a big issue for Major?
A
The BSE or ‘mad cow diesease’ crisis was first identified in the 1980s, but it becoming recognised as a threat to human health in 1996 led to British beef being banned in Europe.
23
Q
How did the Political policies of Major undermine his government?
A
No indivdual policy was so unpopular it singlehadnedly undermined the government, but combined with the sleaze, scandals and economic crises, it helped create and image of conservative incompetence.
24
Q
What events caused by the IRA in the Early years of Majors premiership increased NI tensions?
A
- Major had been in office for less than two months when the IRA fired mortar bombs at downing street
- A sustain bombing campaignf followed, with 2 children killed and 40 injured in warrington bins
- 1 person killed and 40 injured by a bomb in a lorry in London
25
How did the IRA's bombing campaign affect the political stage regarding NI?
Angered both sides with peace protests in Belfast, Dublin and London
Public support for the IRA dell as they blamed the British police for not listening to the warnings given
Moves were made to move toward a peace agreement
26
What actions did Major do that increased NI tensions?
* The Thatcher approach meant govt banned organisation believed to be supporting terrorists
* State was accused of the SAS using a 'shoot to kill policy' after 3 IRA members were killed in Gibraltar
* High profile miscarriages of justics like the birmingham six and guildford four
27
What kickstarted the moves towards a peace agreement?
The British Govt recieved hints from Sinn Fein suggesting they were ready to initiate peace talks- but both sides were resentful and angry
28
What two relationships meant the move toward peace was easier?
Major had a good working relationship with the Irish Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and Bill Clinton also encouraged Sinn Fein to move away from armed struggle
29
What did Major and Reynolds achieve in 1993?
The Downing street decleration
30
What was the IRA's reaction to the Downing street decleration?
Announced a ceasefire the following year in 1994, but bombed canary wharf and centre of manchester anyway in 1996 - but the peace process continued
31
What was the Downing Street Decleration?
On 15th Dec 1993, Reynolds and Major outlined a plan to lead to peace and multiparty talks involving Sinn Fein
* The British government announced no selfish interest in NI
* Argued any agreeement was to be based on the will of the people
* Significantly said a united Ireland could be brought about if it wished
* The British governments role was to enocurage the peace process and not just one specific outcome
* The Irish gov said they would recognise a significant minority and they could not be forced into agreements
32
What were the initial reactions to the Downing street decleration?
* Hardliners were outraged with Iain Paissley calling it a 'sellout to Dublin'
* More moderate unionists were prepared to consider the document
* Sinn Fein said it would be hard to sell the plan to the IRA army council, and said clarification on many aspects was needed
33
What were the drawbacks to the Downing street decleration?
* Despite the IRA announcing a ceasefire in 1994, they still bombed Canary Wharf and Manchester City centre
* The Decleration was not definitive, as it was simply a statement of principles, however this arguably was key in leading to the Good Friday Agreement
34
What did the Downing Street decleration symbolise?
Signalled a public change by the two governments on how the were prepared to approach NI's political future, paving the way for future talks
35
How did the US contribute to reducing NI tensions?
* In Jan 1994, Gerry Adams was allowed a 48 hour visit to the US, ending the political Isolation of Sinn Fein
* Clinton became the first president to visit NI in 1995
* Senator George Mitchell chaired a international council on the NI issue, and presented a report that stated peace could only occur if there was a total demilitarisation of parliamnetary organisation and all parties accpeted that any agreements reached in negotiation were binding
Both sides would have to accept that peace was as politically profitable as war
36
What were Major's economic developments pre-1992 election?
* unemployment rose by 1 million to 2.6 million with many homeowners trapped in 'negative equity' even affecting traditional rich tory voters
* With an election incoming, Major resorted to higher public spending (much of which forced due to higher unemployement) used to subsidise transport costs and NHS spending
37
What is 'Negative equity'?
Many homeowners had to repay mortages at higher value than their homes, with many homes being repossed and affecting all aspects of society, incl the traditional tory rich
38
What caused 'Black wednesday'?
Within months of winning the 1992 election, Britain was in economic crises and was forced to leave the ERM (European exchange rate mechanism) which aimed to sttabilise currencies by limiting how much their value could change
39
When was Britain in the ERM?
Joined the ERM under Thatcher when inflation started to rise i 1990, and the pound had to maintain a value of 2.95 German marks.
40
When was Black Wednesday?
On September 16th 1992, Nigel Lamont announced the decision to leave the ERM live on television after the value of the £ was punt under pressure, despite Major's best efforts to avoid this
41
How detrimental was Black Wednesday economically?
The effects were not as bad as percieved, with the economy quickly recovering and leaving the ERM having many beneifts
42
What were the Political consequences of Black wednesday?
* The long standong conservative electoral asset of being trusted with the economy was thrown away
* CON opinion polls dropped steeply and Major's personal authority weakend
* Labour 15% ahead in the Polls
* Deepend conservative divisions, with Euroscpetics argument against deeper integration into Europe being Strengthened
43
What was the economy like under Major after Black wednesday?
* Leaving the ERM meant there were lower exchange rates, helping British exporters
* Unemployment slowed and the housing market began to improve
* The American economy was recovering from a recession and world trade was expanding
* Britain was doing better than Germany who struggled with costs of Unification
* By 1997, most economic indicators were positive, producitivty, consumer spending car ownership and house prices up, businesses were supportive of government policies, but many were reluctant to credit this to major and the Tories
44
What were the 3 main areas of Majors' Foreign policy?
* Europe
* Balkans
* End of the Cold war
45
What was thatchers' view on Europe?
Initially, following the 1986 Single European act, Thatcher seemed more Pro-European, but it became apparent that the SEA would limit the individual influence of states which worried Thatcher and many other CON MPs and she became more negative towards Europe after this.
46
What event/speech highlighted Thatcher's attitude towards Europe?
A speech in Bruges emphasised the EEEC was a free trade association of soverieng states and was absolutely opposed to federalism and the idea of 'ever closer political union' Whereas president of EEC comission Jacques Delores thought this was absolultely the direction of the EEC
This speech encouraged the creation of the Bruges group, who focused on all opposition to a European federal state
47
Who were the Europhilles of Majors cabinet?
* Ken Clarke
* Chris pattern
48
Who were the Eurosceptics of Major's cabinet?
* Micahel portillo
* John Redwood
* Backbenchers like Iain Duncan SMith
49
Who were the Eurosceptics of Major's cabinet?
* Micahel portillo
* John Redwood
* Backbenchers like Iain Duncan SMith
50
What was the Maastricht treaty?
Designed to set up new structures to accomodate for the growing EEC the treaty meant the EEC would become the EU and there were conditions for a single currency to come into being in 1999
51
What did Major manage to achieve regarding Britain's position in the Maastricht treaty?
Through diplomacy and close links with other nations (esp. German chancellor Helmut Kohl) Britain secured opt outs for the shared single currency and the social chapter.
52
What is the social Chapter (Europe)?
Aimed to regulate the working conditions for part time workers (max hours and employment rights), and the conservatives did not like this as they favoured deregulation
53
What is the social Chapter (Europe)?
Aimed to regulate the working conditions for part time workers (max hours and employment rights), and the conservatives did not like this as they favoured deregulation
54
How did the Euroscpetics oppose the Maastricht treaty and how did Major react?
* In July 1993, Eurosceptics attempted to block the Ratification of the Maastricht treaty and major won the vote by threatening a vote of no confidence (undermining his authority)
* Off the record he called the Eurosceptics 'bastards' making it much harder to position himself with Eurosceptics
55
What European divisions occured after the Maastricht treaty?
* CON Eurosceptics continued to oppose Major on virtually every European issue, not deterred by losing the party whip or threat of deelection
* Majors 'back me or sack me' campaign also did not strengthen his position, mobilising anti European sentiment and the creation of the Anti-Federalist league (later UKIP)
56
Explain how the Soviet Union began to collapse?
By the Mid 1980s the Soviet economy was failing, with Gorbachevs policies of perestroika and Glassnost having limited effect. POland announced it was going to hold free elections, and Gorbs made it clear he would not intervene, even when the anti communist lech walsea won presidency, marking the end of the Brezhnev doctorine and starting a domino effect across Europe.
57
Was thatcher popular in Germany?
Thatcher feared the creation of a German super state, following unification (80million pop) and was very anti-german.
She was very disliked by German leaders, but the majority of the people admired her
57
Was thatcher popular in Germany?
Thatcher feared the creation of a German super state, following unification (80million pop) and was very anti-german.
She was very disliked by German leaders, but the majority of the people admired her
58
Explain the first gulf war?
At the end of the cold war, Saddam Hussein (Iraq) invaded Kuwait and a British - US coalition backed by the UN expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait, but Hussein remained leader
59
Explain the causes of the Balkan crisis?
In 1989, Yugoslav president SLobodan milosevic was becoming increasingly Serbian nationalist, and threatened violent action against the Albanian population in Kosovo
In 1991, prosperous slovenia broke away, and yugoslavia began to break up, with large ensuing clashes between Serbia and Croatia.
War began in Bosnia in 1992, when the muslim population in Eastern Bosnia was driving out iin an 'ethnic cleansing' by serb parliamentarians backed by milosevic
60
How succesful were diplomatic attempts at solving the Balkan crisis?
Not succesfuk, as there were divisions over whether to maintain a multi ethnic yugoslavia, or break it up all together
61
How was Major involved in the Balkan Crisis?
In Aug 1992, Major hosted an EU-UN conference in London and a UN peacekeeping force was put in place, the later 1992 Vance-owen plan set out a framework for reaching a settlement
Major was widely praised forthis, but there was no joint European effort.
THe US was reluctant to intervene
62
What event illustrated the ineffectiveness of UK and EU diplomatic efforts?
The July 1995 Sbrenica massacre where Serb forces enetered bosnia where 7,0000 Bosnian men and boys were murdered in one of the worst atrocities post WW2. A small force of dutch UN peacekeepers were situated there but they were ordered not to intervene
63
What persuaded the US and NATO to get involved in the Balkans and how were they involved ?
After the Sbrenica massacre of 1995, Clinton was peruaded to intervene and the centeral command and military was essential in forcing Bosnian leaders to negotiate.
American airstrikes on serb forces lef to a peace conference at Dayton, Ohio and a treaty was singed in Paris in 1995, guaranteeing Bosnian independence, protected by the UN and substantial economic support from the international community.
64
How did the Balkan war end?
American airstrikes on serb forces lef to a peace conference at Dayton, Ohio and a treaty was singed in Paris in 1995, guaranteeing Bosnian independence, protected by the UN and substantial economic support from the international community.
65
What were the main areas of Society under Major?
* Moral panic
* Anti Establishment culture
* Position of Women
* Race relations
66
What was generally happening to British society?
Mass social change was rapidly occuring and disconcerning anyway, Britain was becoming less socially conservative and increasing liberal faster than ever before
67
What was generally happening to British society?
Mass social change was rapidly occuring and disconcerning anyway, Britain was becoming less socially conservative and increasing liberal faster than ever before
68
What had happened to attitudes to homosexuality under thatcher?
Negative attitudes towards homosexuals increased, partly due to the identification of aids in 1981 and gay men being particularly at risk.
69
What happened in 1987 challenged prejudices of homosexual people?
Diana challenged the prejudices by shaking the hands with a patient of aids in middlesex hospitals and the govt began a prevention campign in 1985
70
What were examples of tensions regarding homosexual relations?
* 'looney left councils were accused of promoting 'homosexual lifestyles' by funding support groups
* 'Jenny lives with Eric and Martin' was a b99i that fueled tension
71
What was section 28?
Section 28 was a law which banned the promotion of homosexuality by local councils in 1988, it was believed ti was used to make it illegal to discuss in schools
72
What was section 28?
Section 28 was a law which banned the promotion of homosexuality by local councils in 1988, it was believed ti was used to make it illegal to discuss in schools
73
What did Thatchers homosexual views and policies lead to?
Mobilised the LGBT community like never before, with 30,000 people attending the London pride parade in 1988
73
What did Thatchers homosexual views and policies lead to?
Mobilised the LGBT community like never before, with 30,000 people attending the London pride parade in 1988
74
What happened with the homosexual age of consent?
The Stonewall charity challenged the unequal age of consent for gay men and the ban of them entering the armed forces, they got a reduction in the age of consent down from 21 to 18, but it was not until 2000 that equality was achieved and it went down to 16
75
What had happened to divorce/childbirth under Major?
The rate of divorce increased to record highs in the mid 1990s, the % of babies born to unmarried parents doubled from 12-30%
In 1993, the child support agency was set up to try ensure absent parents paid maintenence for children
76
How did Mary Whitehouse impact 1990s society?
She remained a prominent moral campaigner, she helped influence the video recording act in 1994 that ensured videos hjad British film classifications attached to them
She made MPs to be held to high expectations regarding extramarital affairs, illigitemate children and issues of sexuality
77
What do many attribute the anti establishment culture to?
Percieved as an inevitable consequence as Thatcher's social policies
78
Why was there anti establishment rhetoric toward the Royal family?
* from 1987-1997, 3/4 of the Queen's children got divorced
* deatils of affairs between Charles and Camilla in headlines - telpehone call leaked
* Public disquiet about public money being used to repair windsor castle in 1992 after a fire
* Diana's revelations about her treatment by the royal family, as well as the queens seeming inaction and unsympathetic reaction to her death
79
How did the Royal family attempt to reduce anti establishment culture?
After the Windsor fire, the queen started paying tax on her private income and reduced her civil list (No. of members supported financially by taxpayers)
79
How did the Royal family attempt to reduce anti establishment culture?
After the Windsor fire, the queen started paying tax on her private income and reduced her civil list (No. of members supported financially by taxpayers)
80
How was Anti Establishment culture evident in the arts ?
The Young British Artists (YBA) which created art from untraditional materials and processes like dead animals
Also challeneged the convential definition of art
81
How was anti establishment reflected in the youth culture?
* 'Acid house' was a type of dance music with a psychedelic edge that arrived in the late 1980s
* 1988 + 1999 were nicknamed the second summer of love full of raves, free parties and the use of MDMA and provoked moral panic about the use of drugs
82
How did the government respond to growing anti establishment culture?
The government passed the criminal justice and public order act 1994 gave the police more power to break up parties.
82
How did the government respond to growing anti establishment culture?
The government passed the criminal justice and public order act 1994 gave the police more power to break up parties.
83
What happened relating to environmentalism?
There were a series of protests against the M3 extendinng at Twyford down as well as the newbury bypass and M11 roadlink
Often protesters were dedicated environmental campaigners but were increasingly newcomers
THe protesters would often block or delay work by climbing or chaining themselves to the trees that were due to be uprooted and building tunnels and linking underground
83
What happened relating to environmentalism?
There were a series of protests against the M3 extendinng at Twyford down as well as the newbury bypass and M11 roadlink
Often protesters were dedicated environmental campaigners but were increasingly newcomers
THe protesters would often block or delay work by climbing or chaining themselves to the trees that were due to be uprooted and building tunnels and linking underground
84
What wave of feminism occured in the 1990s?
third wave feminism occured, broader than second wave feminism and had more emphasis on breaking down streotypes about women about race, gender and sexuality
85
What did the establishment of third wave feminism result in?
The growing underground grrrl movement with female bands like bannana kill and hungey bear singing about feminist issues, by the mid 1990s the message of 'girl power' became mainstream, forefronted by the spice girls, as well as buffy the vampire slayer
85
What did the establishment of third wave feminism result in?
The growing underground grrrl movement with female bands like bannana kill and hungey bear singing about feminist issues, by the mid 1990s the message of 'girl power' became mainstream, forefronted by the spice girls, as well as buffy the vampire slayer
86
What did the establishment of third wave feminism result in?
The growing underground grrrl movement with female bands like bannana kill and hungey bear singing about feminist issues, by the mid 1990s the message of 'girl power' became mainstream, forefronted by the spice girls, as well as buffy the vampire slayer
87
What is some evidence of female progress and equality?
* First female HOC speaker Betty Boothroyd
* First female MI5 leader Stella Pimmington
* First ordination of women as priests in 1994
* Rapoe within marriage became an illegal criminal offence in 1994
* 68% of women of working age working
* 50% of employees were women by 1996
* Women's pay was improved although only to 80% of male pay
* Married woman were also able to be taxed sperately from their husband for the first time
87
What is some evidence of female progress and equality?
* First female HOC speaker Betty Boothroyd
* First female MI5 leader Stella Pimmington
* First ordination of women as priests in 1994
* Rapoe within marriage became an illegal criminal offence in 1994
* 68% of women of working age working
* 50% of employees were women by 1996
* Women's pay was improved although only to 80% of male pay
* Married woman were also able to be taxed sperately from their husband for the first time
88
How many outbreaks of race related disorder were there in the 1990s?
There were no major outbreaks, but there were a series of riots 91-92 of mostly young white men in council estates.
89
Positives of race relations in 1990s?
* No major outbreaks of disorder with race as a major component
* 4 non white MPs were elected for the first time since the 1920s, in 1987 andthey all held their seats in 1992
90
Negatives of race relations in the 1990s?
** Some violent outbreaks by white men on council estates
* Rumors of racism from CON candidate for cheltenham John Taylor
* A blakc student stephen lawerence was murdered by a group of white youths in a SE london Bus stop the identity of the youth s was known, but hidden by the crown prosecution service and later decided there was not enough evidence for prosecution (this decision was heavily criticised)
* 1998 Macpherson report found the Met was incompetent and institutionally racist
* Concerns started to rise about Muslim integration into UK society when British Indian Author Salman Rushdie published 'the satanic verses' A Fatwa (death threat) was placed on him by Iranian Ayatolah and Rushdie had to go into hiding. Many protested and believed that they had to accept the publishing of the book in British culture.
90
What is a potential background factor in the social change of the 1990s?
The social change of the 1990s could have derived from the social change of the 1960s because the people who had grown up in that era were now in charge.
91
Who were the three labour leaders in Opposition under Major?
1. * Neil Kinnock
2. John Smith
3. Tony Blair
92
Who was Peter Mandelsohn?
he was Neil Kinnocks spin directior of communication in 1985 and spin doctor for labour who made Labour much more professional in its presentation.
93
How did Labour change its 1983 manifesto after the 1987 election defeat?
- removal of withdrawing from the EEC
- ended support of Unilateral disarment
- removed a rise in taxation of high incomes
94
Why were many on the left concerned on what Kinnock was doing to the party between the 1987 and 1992 election?
Many were concerned labour was becoming to centerist, especially after Kinnock split the trade unions by ending the partys support for closed shop arrangement (only hiring TU members)
95
Who replaced Kinnock?
John smith replaced kinnock after he resigned 4 days after the loss of the election
96
What did John Smith do to make the Labour party to appear more electable?
He himself was seen as trusted, serious and a skillfull performer
He signalled a shift in the party with his 'one member, one vote' policy which abolished the block vote within Labour.
97
Why did Blair replace Smith in 1994?
In 1994, Smith died suddenly from a heart attack at 55
98
Explain Blair when he was a leadership candidate for the Labour party leadership position?
He was educated at a scottish private school Fettes, and was more typical of the 'middle England' he wanted to win over (rather than the Labour loyalists) Blair argued what mattered was what works and because he did not join the Labour party untikl after Uni, he had less ties with its history.
99
Explain Gordon Brown when he was a leadership candidate for the Labour party leadership election?
John smith's protegee and helped modernise the Labour party.
100
How was the leadership of New Labour decided?
At the Granita resteruant in Islington, it was agreed Blair would stand as leader, while Brown would work in close partenrship as a strategist and policy expert - with Brown taking his turn as leader when Blair stood down, the question of when this would be caused tension between blairites and Brownites
101
What was the purpose of the 'New Labour' rebranding?
Its purpose was to end the perception that Labour was unelectable, marking a significant policy shift and showing Labour was no longer stuck in the past.
102
What is Clause 4 of the Labour party?
Clause 4 contained most of Labours socialist policies, with socialism seeming dead after the end of the cold war.
103
How did Labour change its perception economically?
Gordon Brown no longer wanted Labour to be the party of 'tax and spend' to do this he wanted to project an image of economic competence by following conservative spending plans so the CONs could no attack their policies.
104
What was the economic outlook of New Labour (Quote)?
'NL rejects the economic policies of old labour and the conservative free market approach, Government and industry must work together to achieve key objectices aimed at enhancing the dynamism of the market - not undermining it'
105
How was the Labour party more modern than before?
Blair himself was an effective communicator in presenting an air of moderation winning over middle England.
The Labour party had a record high number of female candidates.
They used the modern pop song 'things can only get better as their campaign song.
106
How did New Labour use the press to their advantage?
Typically, Labour was attacked by the press, but Blair's press secretary Alastair campbell used his experience as a journalist to neutralise the press as a tory weapon
Peter mendelsohn also made sure all elements of the party ran 'on message' by allowing labour spokespeople to access up to date information - Labour's spin machine was very effective.
107
In what ways did New Labour and the Lib Dems work together?
Blair and Paddy Ashdown had discussed the idea of a coalition as the Labour manifestio pledges referendums on devolution - a long standing liberal aims.
There was lots of tactical voting between Labour and Lib Dem voters to ensure Conservatives did not get another election win.
108
What were the results of the 1997 election?
- 50% of all conservatives lost their seats
- CON got 31% of the vote
- CONs only had 165 seats and none in Scotland
- Labour got 43.21% of vote and 418 seats -> leading to a majority of 179 seats
Micahel portillo lost his seat to the young stephen twigg, symbolic of the senior tories losing their position to NL
109
Briefly explain the reasons the conservative government lost the 1997 election?
- 18 years of conservative dominance made them seem weary and outdates
- European divisions
- Withdrawal from the ERM and black wednesday undermined Conservatives 'succesful' economic policies
- John Majors uninspiring leadership
- From 1990-1997 the CONs held a small majority which prohibited its abillity to govern
- Culmulative effect of sexual and financial scandals despite the 'back to basics' intiative.
110
Briefly explain why Labour won the 1997 election?
- Smith modernised the Labour party after Kinnock
- Removal of trade bloc vote and clause 4
- Blair's use of spin doctors in the press
- NL seen as younger and more modern
- following CON spending plans
- Distorting effects of FPTP, Lab won 32,000 votes per seat while CON was 58,000 votes per seat
- Tactical voting with Lib Dems
- Blair was an effecive communicator who could win over Middle England
111
What election tool was simple to understand and was succesful for the Labour party?
NL distributed an election pledge card that had 5 pledges that were simple to understand, affected/were relevant to all members of society.
112
What were NL 5 election pledges?
- cut class sizes
- Cut NHS waiting times
- get U25s off benefits and into work
- fast track punishment for repeat young offenders
- legislate for a scottish parliament in first year of government office
