How Successful Was Thatchers Managments Of Cabinet Flashcards
(11 cards)
Explain why Thatcher had few supporters in 1979?
few Allie’s of the shadow cabinet
- many older conservatives were loyal to the ‘one nation’ Tory approach. Meant they wanted to maintain the same degree of intervention in welfare and employment
limited experience
- Yharcher had little experience only holding position of Minister of Eduction under Heath
her gender
- divided opinion amongst Conservatives
What did Thatcher succeed in doing around 1979?
Established a band of loyalist
- included her deputy William Whitelaw and Keith Joseph her main economic advisor
received support in the commons
- Thatcher was backed in the Commons by an energetic group of conservatives despite
popular amongst grassroots members of the party
- largely down to her emphasise on economic prudence, defeating socialism and restoring Britians ‘former’ greatness
How were the concerns over female leadership quelled ?
The Brighton bombing 12 October 1984
- her courage won her considerable respect from all areas of the party
What does the term ‘wets’ mean ?
A scornful term used to describe those who supported ‘one nation’
How did Thatcher deal with the wets?
Appointed some to senior postions such as Jim Prior and Francis Pym, sure made sure her Allie’s occupied key ministers such as Geoffrey Howe as COE
1981, strengthens further: moved Jim Prior from the Department of Emploument and replaced him with loyal Norman Tebbit and sacked 2 other wets
1983: seconds victory and victory in Falkland allowed her to be more commanding and leading wet Francis Pym was sacked as foreign secretary replaced by Geoffrey Howe
What had Thatcher achieved by mid 1980?
Domination and loyal supporters admire her firmness and conviction but her mastery of the cabinet made her increasingly intolerant of disagreement
Known as ‘increasing isolation’
Why was Michael Heseltines resignation important ?
January 1986
- resigned over the Westland affair in a disagreement over Helicopter manufacturer Westland
- he became a potential alternative leader for the party and those who disliked her approach
When did William Whitelaw resign and why was this important ?
December 1987
- suffers a stroke
- he had been a unifying figure and had been Thatchers main advisor
What happened between Thatcher, Geoffrey Howe and Nigel Lawson?
In 1989 she fell out with both over economic policy and Britians role in Europe
- her hardline of defiance which had been admired now became overbearing
What was important about the speech of Howe ?
1 November 1990
- influential speech dubbed the ‘starting shot’ and the ‘fatal blow’ that led to Thatchers fall from government and her resignation on the 28th November 1990
- it came as a result of irritation towards Thatchers euro-scepticism and her refusal of a single European currency
- also exasperated at her leadership and the failures of the poll tax
How was Howes speech perceived by the opposition within the party ?
- It was seen to be a ‘rallying cry’ to Michael Heseltine who had been a long time rival of Thatcher since his resignation in January 1986
