current Conservative Party is a Thatcherite party Flashcards
(6 cards)
1) ECONOMIC POLICY for
Thatcherism: Strong belief in individualism, small state, low taxation, privatisation.
Cut top income tax from 83% → 40%, corporation tax from 52% → 34%.
Cut £1 billion in public spending (housing, education, energy, etc.).
Privatised key industries (e.g. British Telecom, British Gas).
Liz Truss (2022 Mini-Budget):
Tried to cut top income tax, corporation tax, stamp duty.
Funded by borrowing—classic Thatcherite “growth first” thinking.
Rishi Sunak:
Spring Budget 2024: NI tax cut from 10% → 8%, pledge to reduce to 6% by 2027.
Speech on disability benefits (April 2024): Claimed system was “overly generous” and created a “sicknote culture.”
Mirrors Thatcher’s hostility to the welfare state.
Kemi Badenoch:
Strong free-market advocate.
As Business and Trade Secretary, pushed for deregulation post-Brexit and global trade deals (e.g. CPTPP).
Criticised “woke capitalism,” aligning with Thatcherite emphasis on economic over social intervention.
1) ECONOMIC POLICY against
On the other hand, the economic policy of the Conservative Party under Rishi Sunak should be seen in the context of fixing the damage caused by Liz Trussʼ attempted Thatcherite reforms.
Rishi Sunakʼs government reversed Trussʼ planned tax cuts and pledged to increase some taxes in order to try and bring down inflation.
Corporation tax, for example, rose from 19% to 25% in April 2023.
Sunakʼs economic policy was focused on trying to prioritise national finances in the context of the cost of living crisis by reducing the national debt and seeking to keep down inflation.
2) LAW AND ORDER for
Thatcher: Took a hardline stance on crime and unions.
Boosted police and military funding.
Cracked down on trade unions (called them “enemy within”), restricted right to strike.
Sunak:
Recruited 20,000 police officers (2019–2024), pledged 8,000 more (2024 manifesto).
Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan (2023): Community punishments within 48 hours.
Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023: Limits strikes in key sectors.
Public Order Act 2023: Banned “locking-on” protests; harsh penalties for disruptions (targeting groups like Just Stop Oil).
Kemi Badenoch:
Supports tougher stance on disruptive protests and strikes, aligning with Thatcher’s law-and-order mindset.
2) LAW AND ORDER against
Though the current Conservative government has taken a relatively strong approach to striking workers, it has arguably not been as harsh or uncompromising as the policies of Thatcherʼs governments.
For example, the government did negotiate with some striking workers and come to an agreement with both teachers and nurses.
3) FOREIGN POLICY AND IMMIGRATION for
Thatcher: Assertive internationally (e.g. Falklands War), strong alliance with the US, anti-Soviet stance. Eurosceptic politically, but pro-EU economic cooperation.
Current Party:
Strong support for Ukraine: £2.5bn pledged in military aid (2024).
David Cameron (2024): Urged US to continue Ukraine funding.
Tough on China: Foreign Secretary James Cleverly criticised China’s disregard for global rules.
Post-Brexit sovereignty: Reflects Thatcher’s scepticism about EU political integration.
3) FOREIGN POLICY AND IMMIGRATION against
Brexit approach is more economically damaging than Thatcher would support.
Thatcher was against EU political union but backed free trade with Europe.
Immigration stance differs: Rwanda policy is very hardline and expensive.
high cost and strong criticisms from human rights groups that Rwanda wasnʼt a safe country and that the asylum process would ensure fair and humane treatment.
The cost included an initial payment to Rwanda of £290M and an additional £11,000 per asylum seeker for flights, and nearly £151,000 per person for processing and integration over five years.
This major cost for a policy that has very little economic benefit also seems like something Thatcher would strongly oppose.
