Booklet 6: 1997-2007 (Blair) Flashcards
(39 cards)
Examples of what was promised on New Labour’s 1997 pledge card:
- no rise in income tax
- cutting NHS waiting lists
- fast-tracking punishment for persistent young offenders
Examples of Gordon Brown’s economic policy:
- Bank of England made independent from gov
- inflation was kept low
- injection of money into public services after 2001 (funded by PFIs)
New Labour’s Law and Order policy:
- ‘tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime’
- social exclusion unit was set up to reduce social exclusion (cause of crime)
- longer prison sentences
New Labour education policies:
- ‘education,education,education’ (1997 manifesto)
- money invested in schools and teachers given pay rises
- encouraged specialist schools
- kept league tables introduced by major
Freedom of Information Act 2000
Gave people the right to request information from public bodies
Human Rights Act 1998
Incorporated the ECHR into British law - prevented the abuse of human rights.
When was hunting with dogs banned?
2004
Examples of devolution under Blair:
- Scotland and Wales received a devolved assembly in 1998 after referendums
- Northern Ireland given devolved powers due to the Good Friday Agreement 1998
- elected Mayor of London from 1999
Impact of the HRA?
The way judges interpreted this sometimes causes difficulties for government - in 2004 the gov had to amend its anti-terrorist legislation as it clashes with the ECHR.
Impact of Freedom of Information Act?
Over 100,000 requests per year by 2006
Reforms to the HOLs under Blair:
- 1999 hereditary peers were reduced to 92
Results of Good Friday Agreement referendum in Northern Ireland?
71% voted to accept it
Terms of the Good Friday Agreement:
- both Britain and Ireland would give up any claims on NI
- would be a devolved body in NI (power-sharing executive)
- all parties would encourage paramilitaries to decommission arms
- prisoners would be released early is paramilitary organisations remained committed to peace
Why did the Good Friday Agreement Succeed when other NI peace agreements had failed?
- all groups involved in decision making
- IRA promised early release of prisoners
What percentage of Scotland voted in favour of having a devolved body in 1998?
74%
When was William Hague the leader of the Conservative Party?
1997-2001
When was Ian Duncan Smith leader of the Conservative Party?
2001-2003
When was Michael Howard leader of the Conservative Party?
2003-2005
When was David Cameron leader of the Conservative Party?
2005-2016
Examples of William Hague’s policy ideas:
- proposed reducing tax to boost economy
- called for stricter immigration policies and border controls
- stronger law and order policies
Why was William Hague seen as a weak leader?
- too right-wing (focus on immigration and tax cuts)
- too young (36)
Policy ideas of Ian Duncan Smith:
- anti any further integration into the EU
- promoted traditional family structures (tax breaks for married couples)
- increased private sector involvement in public services
Why was Ian Duncan Smith a weak leader?
- lost vote of no confidence in 2003
- too right wing (anti-EU and traditional views)
- lacked charisma and failed to connect with public
Policy ideas of Michael Howard:
- tougher immigration controls (Australian style points system)
- opposed further EU integration
- stronger law and order policies (curbing anti-social behaviour, more officers etc)
