Major Policies, Scandal + Downfall Flashcards
How many Tory MPs had affairs?
More than 12 inc. 2 cabinet members David Mellor and Tim Yeo, both forced to resign
What was the Scott Enquiry?
Set up ‘94 to investigate illegal arms dealings
Proved govt. ministers had broken rules and allowed Matrix Churchill (arms company) to supply arms to Iraq
They were convicted of perjury
Cash for questions scandal
Neil Hamilton + other Tory MPs accused of talking money in return for asking questions in parliament on behalf of Harrods owner
Hamilton lost public libel case + refused to resign- ended up losing his seat anyway in ‘97
John Major + satire
Scandals made Tories victims of it
Private Eye did ‘The Secret Diary of John Major aged 47 +3/4’ and Spitting Image depicted him as old + grey
Major stayed more popular than his party but this image stuck w/ him
Major + privatisation
Continued privatisation- Coal industry ‘94 + Railways ‘96
Tried to do Post Office but dropped over opposition
Pit closures continued ‘91 Heseltine announced closure of 31- controversial as some in Nottingham area were minster stood against Scargill but went ahead anyway
Private Finance Initiative
Introduced by Major, meant private sector would fund infrastructure improvements + then deliver public services, paid for by the state
What was the Citizens Charter?
Published ‘91, gave public services ^ power over quality of services they received e.g education- more testing of students w/ published league tables so parents could compare schools
Led to more satire
Major + Mad Cow Disease
Had to deal w/ BEE outbreak, B beef banned in Europe, decreasing exports and damaging B agriculture
Effect of policies on Tory Party
Led to demise of Tory Party, lost local, European and by-elections
By late ‘95, only 13 councils remained Tory run
What was the Citizens Charter?
Published ‘91, gave public services ^ power over quality of services they received e.g education- more testing of students w/ published league tables so parents could compare schools
Led to more satire
Major + Mad Cow Disease
Had to deal w/ BEE outbreak, B beef banned in Europe, decreasing exports and damaging B agriculture
Effect of policies on Tory Party
Led to demise of Tory Party, lost local, European and by-elections
By late ‘95, only 13 councils remained Tory run
Major’s leadership challenge
Right wing pushed Major for radical social policies + alongside scandal etc. some saw this as opp. to challenge him to leadership
Portillo + Redwood often mentioned in media
Major’s leadership election
Held ‘back me or sack me’ over issue of Europe
Redwood main challenge, Portillo didn’t run so as not to split anti-Major vote
Pre-leadership vote Major promised Heseltine deputy pm if he supported him
What were the results of Major’s leadership election?
Major - 218
Redwood - 89
Major mocked for these results
Thatcher even supported Redwood over Major
