Society (+ Domestic Policies) Flashcards
Cash for Questions
MPs were paid by commercial businesses to ask questions in the house of commons. The most prominent of these MPs was Neil Hamilton.
Arms to Iraq
A scandal around a precision machine tools company that was sold in 1989 and ended up with directors of the Iraqi security service. It was found that the MOD had given them advice on how to obtain export licenses and Alan Clarke was forced to admit that he had not told the whole truth when answering questions about the events. Highlighted what Robert Blake called the ‘dubious conduct of ministers.’
Jonathon Aitken
Government minister accused of allowing a businessman to pick up his hotel bill. He then lied to the court about the matter, therein committing perjury and therefore being imprisoned
Jeffrey Archer
Tory party deputy chairman who resigned in 1986 after being accused of frequenting a sex worker and paying another in £2000 cash. He sued the Daily Star and won in ‘87. In ‘99 he was then imprisoned for perjury and perverting the course of justice.
‘Back to basics’
A speech made by Major at the 1993 Conference in which he called for a return back to higher, more traditional moral standards. After this, if ministers were found having extra-marital affairs or illegitimate children etc, they became a political issue as opposed to simply personally embarrassing
When and with whom did John Major have an affair?
In 2002 Edwina Currie revealed they had an affair between 1984 and 1988.
Citizen’s Charter
- 1991
- promised to increase accountability and responsiveness of the public sector, treating the public more like valued customers
- health system reorganised as an internal market meaning units within the NHS were free to buy from one another
- schools had increasing power devolved to them
When was the National Curriculum created and by who?
1997 by the Teacher Training Agency and was intended to standardise schools
Council Tax
Presented by Heseltine in 1991. Unlike the Poll Tax, this was dependant on property values and unlike the rates it would be paid by everyone.
National Lottery
1993
What did Heseltine announce the closure of in 1991? The outcome?
31 pits, included some in Nottinghamshire. There was an outcry as many of those in Nottinghamshire had stood against Scargill and this caused Heseltine to do a u-turn
The Cones Hotline
1992 - allowed motorists to ring up and enquire why lanes were closed off by traffic cones. This became the victim of satire.
1995 leadership battle
Europe was a divisive issue in the Conservative party and this came to a head in 1995 when Major resigned as leader, challenging his opponents to ‘put up or shut up.’ There was a ballot and Major received 66% of the vote.
Who did Thatcher support during the leadership election?
John Redwood
How did Major win the leadership contest?
He met with Heseltine, promising he would become deputy prime minister and in return he ensured everyone knew for whom he’d voted.
