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British History > Towards a New Consensus 1987-97 > Flashcards

Towards a New Consensus 1987-97 Flashcards

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1
Q

Poll: What was the Poll Tax

A

aka Community Charge:
A flat tax (unprogressive) on households to replace the rates-based system of council tax.

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2
Q

Poll: Aims of the Poll Tax

A

Make councils more accountable to their ‘cusomers’ (citizens)
Make it so that not only the homeowner has to pay taxes, but everyone
Spread the burden out as more people would be paying it
Make people boot out their high taxing Labour councillors

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3
Q

Poll: Militant

A

Militant Tendency had a rebirth in the form of the Anti-Poll Tax Federation as a popular group opposing the regressive tax

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4
Q

Poll: Why did Thatcher’s intransigence hurt her

A

It was introduced to Scotand in 1989 and was deeply unpopular, but Thatcher refused to U-turn and implemented it in England in 1990

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5
Q

Poll: How many people refused to pay PT in some areas?

A

Up to 30%, encouraged by SNP

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6
Q

Poll: Battle of Trafalgar Square

A

March 1990, 300,000 protested against the tax across England, but especially in Trafalgar Square.
Turned into a riot, 5,000 injured
Looting, arson and violence
Militarised police

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7
Q

Why did Nigel Lawson resign

A

He clashed with MT’s SPAD Alan Walters over the ERM, Lawson supported it but MT listened to her advisor over her Chancellor. Lawson resigned as he felt he wasn’t being treated fairly.

Lawson also disagreed with the Poll Tax but was overruled by Thatcher and the cabinet

Replaced by Chief Sec to the Treasury John Major

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8
Q

Why did Geoffrey Howe resign?

A

Howe was a Europhile which clashed with Thatcher’s increasing Euroscepticism.

When Thatcher refused to join the ERM despite Howe and Lawson’s urges. He also opposed Poll Tax. Thatcher demoted him to become Deputy PM with John Major replacing him as Foreign Secretary

He resigned in 1990 citing disagreements over Europe and Thatcher’s domineering attitude towards her cabinet

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9
Q

Why did Nick Ridley resign?

A

He said that giving up sovereignty to Europe would be as bad as giving it up to Hitler, said Europe was a ‘German racket designed to take over Europe’

Forced to step down from the cabinet in 1990.

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10
Q

Poll: How did the Poll Tax lead to Thatcher’s downfall

A

Annoyed her middle-class base as it increased taxes on them
Battle of Trafalgar Square

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11
Q

By-election hailing in Thatcher’s downfall

A

1990 Eastebourne by-election
Loss of an ultra-safe seat to Lib Dems

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12
Q

1990 Polls

A

Labour 20 points ahead in polls
Thatcher’s popuarity lowest in her premiership

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13
Q

1990 Conservative Leadership Election

A

Michael Heseltine contested Thatcher’s leadership of the party.

MT got more votes than Heseltine, but after 40% of MPs voted against her, her cabinet pressured her to resign

After Thatcher stepped away, Foreign Secretary John Major and Home Secretary Douglas Hurd stood against Heseltine.

MPs didn’t like the flamboyant Heseltine or the uncharismatic Hurd, so picked Major as the only other option.

Thatcher supported Major as a continuation, but during his premiership Major positioned himself as different to MT.

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14
Q

No No No

A

Thatcher’s response to Jacques Delors raising the issue of further European integration. Led to Howe’s resignation.

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15
Q

1990 inflation rate

A

10%

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16
Q

John Smith

A

Kinnock resigned after Labour 4th consecutive loss in 1992.

His Shadow Chancellor John Smith, a right-wing modernised was elected in his place

Served until he died of a heart attack in 1994

Promoted Blair and Brown into shadow great offices of state

Removed the influence of TUs in Labour through One Member One Vote for deciding Labour leaders

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17
Q

Bruges Speech

A

1988 speech by Thatcher arguing against European federalism

Turning point for Thatcher’s relations with Europe

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18
Q

What reasons did Thatcher have to oppose Europe?

A

She disagreed with protectionism in an increasingly globalised economy
Feared UK was being scammed even after the 1984 rebate
She believed that centralised economies were failing, as demonstrated by the collapsing Soviet Union
Saw Brussels bureaucracy as inefficient
Personal clashes with Delors and Kohl

Thatcher didn’t really oppose the European project, but after the Single European Act, she thought that any more federalism would be wrong, so clashed with its federalist leader Jacques Delors

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19
Q

Thatcher on Germany

A

Supported Gorbachev’s views for a united, neutral Germany instead of the West subsuming the East

Scared of Germany dominating Europe

Thatcher didn’t like German Chancellor Helmut Kohl

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20
Q

What was the ERM

A

Exchange Rate Mechanism

Fixed exchange rate agreement

Thatcher reluctantly joined it in 1990 to help fight double-digit inflation and pegged the sterling to the deutschmark.

Sterling was overvalued, and German reunification only meant this overvaluing would get worse

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21
Q

Examples of the collapse of detente in the 80s

A

Shooting of the South Korean KAL007 passenger plane by the USSR

Cruise missiles being stationed in Greenham Common

Reagan’s Star Wars initiative

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22
Q

Anthony Meyer

A

Tory MP who stood against Margaret Thatcher in 1989 due to his pro-European leanings, but lost handily. Displayed divisions in the Tory party over Europe.

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23
Q

Citizen’s Charter

A

1991 political initiative by John Major to improve public services through regulatory bodies
Established Ofcom, Ofsted, Ofwat, Ofgem etc.

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24
Q

Gulf War

A

After Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, the UK and other Western coalition forces liberated Kuwait in a quick and easy war in 1990-91.

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25
Which Tory unifier left the cabinet under Thatcher?
Willie Whitelaw in 1987 after suffering a stroke
26
Poll: Increase in number of taxpayers
14m ratepayers -> 38m polltaxpayers
27
Poll: Who came up with the Poll Tax?
Adam Smith Institute, opposed by most of party
28
Poll: How much did it cost to collect PT?
2.5x more expensive to collect than the rates-system
29
What did Thatcher promise when she resigned?
She'd be a good "back seat driver". Major turned out to be more independent than Thatcher expected though
30
How did the polls react to Major's ascension
Tories overtook Labour as they jumped up around 15 points. Newspapers supported the new PM
31
Major's quote on Europe when he took office
Aimed to see Britain take its place "at the very heart of Europe"
32
How was the party divided when Major took offce?
Europe had begun to deeply divide the party Thatcherite loyalists wanted to punish those who had 'betrayed Maggie' Should the poll tax be scrapped? Major instinctively tried to unite these differences
33
Poll: When did Major scrap the Poll Tax?
Late 1991, it was replaced with Council Tax meaning £1.5bn had been wasted
34
Recession under Major
Early 90s Recession: 3m unemployed Mortgages put into negative equity and houses reposessed Affected homeowning middle-class 11% inflation in 1990
35
How did unemployment increase in the early 90s?
1.5m in mid-1991 -> 2.6m early-1992
36
What was the exchange rate between the sterling and the deuschmark set at during the ERM period
£1 = 2.95 deutschmarks
37
WHEN was Black Wednesday
16 September 1992
38
WHAT was Black Wednesday
Taking the pound off of the ERM leading to the value of the pound crashing as currency speculators put downwards pressure on the value of the pound by betting against it. Interest rates were raised from 10 to 12 to 15% on Black Wednesday before Normal Lamont (Chancellor) capitulated and left the ERM Pound dropped 15% in one day Bank of England spent large amounts of its reserves trying to prop up sterling Labour jumped ahead in polls
39
Outcome of Black Wednesday
Interest rates could be lowered as the pound didn't need to be propped up The pound depreciates Norman Lamont was sacked 8 months later
40
Poll: SNP's reaction to poll taxes
SNP encouraged people not to pay their poll tax
41
When did the SDP and the Liberals merge?
1988
42
House prices during Lawson Boom
Increase in house prices in the late 80s (up 20% in the year following the 1988 budget)
43
Decrease in inflation while we were in ERM (1990-92)
11% -> 3.5%
44
Decrease in reserves after Black Wednesday
£3.3bn
45
How many houses were reposessed and how many were in negative equity in the 90s recession
65,000 reposessed 900,000 in negative equity
46
How many small businesses shut down in the early 1990s recession?
26,000
47
GDP growth in 1991
-2.4%
48
Who ran against John Major in a Tory leadership election in 1995?
John Redwood opposed the more moderate Major over Europe. Redwood was backed by Thatcher Major was supported by 2/3 of MPs
49
Sex scandals under Major
12, including two cabinet ministers Mellor and Yeo
50
Scott Inquiry
Proved that government ministers had been illegally enabling Matrix Churchill to sell arms to Iraq
51
Cash for Questions
Mohammed al-Fayed was bribing two MPs (eg Neil Hamilton) to do things like ask questions he wanted to be brought up Other similar instances of this occured
52
What was the nickname for the Conservatives' corruption under Major?
Tory sleaze
53
Which financial quasi-loan did Major introduce
Public Finance Initiatives (PFIs)
54
When did Major privatise coal?
1994
55
How many coal pits did Major and Heseltine close in 1991?
31 (including some UDM ones despite their loyalty)
55
When did Major privatise the railways
1996
55
Why was British beef banned in Europe?
Mad Cow Disease
55
NI: Warrington Bombing
2 children killed by an IRA attack in 1992. IRA apologised for this.
55
NI: Miscarridges of justice to do with the IRA
Guilford Four and Birmingham Six were revealed to the public. Wrongly convicted of terrorism in 70s Abused and very poorly treated despite being innocent
55
NI: What had changed by the 90s?
A generation had grown up tired of fighting, calling for peace
55
NI: Controversial SAS killing
Operation Flavius | 1988 shoot-to-kill policy after three IRA members were shot in Gibraltar
55
NI: Bookmaker's shooting
5 Catholic civilians shot by loyalists after a recent IRA atrocity in 1991
55
NI: When did the Provisional IRA declare a ceasefire?
1994 When progress did not happen they got impatient and went back on this a few years later
56
NI: Downing Street Declaration
1992 declaration by Major and Irish Taoiseach Reynolds. Promised inter-governmental efforts to reach a settlement in NI Declared that the UK would hand over NI if they voted for it Laid the groundwork for Good Friday
56
Which politicians on the right of the Tory party butted heads with Major on social issues and Europe?
John Redwood Michael Portillo
57
Blair's quip against Major's leadership
"I lead my party. You follow yours"
58
How did Thatcher make life difficult for Major?
Supported Redwood's leadership bid Demanded a referendum on Europe Seemed to support Blair in 1997
59
When did Blair become Labour leader?
1995
60
Peter Mandelson
Labour's spin doctor trying to modernise the party. Kinnock's director of communications, carried on his work into the New Labour period.
61
How did Kinnock break away from TUs?
Ended Labours commitment to supporting closed shop union agreements Didn't support NUM strike
62
1992 General Election
Major v Kinnock Polls expected an easy Labour victory Poll Tax Recession Black Wednesday Gulf War Labour gained 40 seats Tories got 40% of the vote
63
What did Blair change about the Labour Constitution
Removed Clause IV, abandoning Labour's commitment to nationalisation
64
When did Blair remove Clause IV
1995
65
Blair Brown Pact
aka Granita Pact Shadow Home Sec Blair and Shadow Chancellor Brown decided that Blair would stand for Labour leadership, and make Brown his Chancellor, giving him large amounts of power and autonomy Blair possibly said he would step aside to let Brown take over after two terms (he stood for three and denied that he ever said this)
66
Alastair Campbell
Blair's press secretary. Had a significant over the party's messaging, pushing Blair's moderate ideals. Editor for the Mirror. Played a large role in drafting the Iraq and September Dossiers
67
1997 General Election
Blair v Major Landslide victory for Labour Brought in 100 women (Blair's babes) Majority of 180 The Sun changed support to Labour No Tory MPs outside of England
68
Which Eurosceptic party was set up under Major?
Referendum Party
69
Back to Basics
Campaign by Major to encourage traditional values Socially conservative slant, but mainly things like courtesy, decency and family values Contrasted with the scandal-heavy period
70
Changes in relations to homosexuality in 80s
Section 28 (Don't say gay) AIDS ('the gay plague') Diana shaking hands with AIDS patient Loony Left councils accused of promoting homosexuality
71
What childrens book caused an backlash?
Jenny Lives with Eric and Martin (about a gay couple)
72
When was the age of consent for homosexuals lowered (not equalised)?
1994. 21 -> 18 (still above 16 for heteros), ECHR case spearheaded by Stonewall
73
Increase in percentage of children born to unmarried parents
Doubled in 80s 12% -> 30%
74
How was the monarchy called into question under Major?
3/4 of the Queen's children got divorced Taxpayer had to fund rebuilding Windsor Palace Queen strongarmed into paying income tax Queen accused of not caring after Diana died in 1997
75
YBA
Young British Arists Groups of avante-gard and anti-establishment artists. Emblematic of evolution of anti-establishment subculture
76
1988 Summer
'Second Summer of Love' Youth festivals, raves and free parties exploded A lot of psychadelics and MDMA used Police empowered to break these parties up
77
Third Wave Feminism
Started in 1990s, focused on culture instead of economics of legislation. Tried to break down stereotypes and empower women Riot Grrrl subculture
78
When did the Church of England start ordaining female ministers?
1994
79
When did rape between two married people become illegal?
1994
80
When did the amount of female workers hit 50%?
1996
81
How did the Tory party start to divide under Thatcher over Europe?
Split formed in the wake of the Bruges Speech (1985) Pro-Europeans (eg Howe and Major) criticised Thatcher for backtracking Eurosceptic MPs formed the Bruges Group to oppose the EU
82
Thatcher's views on expanding the EU?
Supported expanding it to spread free market principles to the Eastern Bloc after the fall of Communism
83
Division of Major's cabinet on Europe?
Europhile: -John Major -Kenneth Clarke -Chris Patten Eurosceptic: -John Redwood -Michael Portillo -Iain Duncan-Smith (backbencher)
84
Maastricht Treaty
Reformed the EEC into the EU to cope with Eastern Europe joining Single currency (EMU) Enshrined workers rights (Social Charter) Major allowed Britain to opt out of the EMU and Social Charter Struggled with Eurosceptics to get it through Ratified by Parliament after 18 months
85
When was the Maastricht Treaty?
1992
86
Maastricht Rebels
Group of Eurosceptic Tory MPs who opposed the Maastricht Treaty (supported by Thatcher) Major threatened to call a vote of no confidence, which would have led to an election which Labour would have won if they didn't back down Major removed the whip from multiple of them Was caught calling unnamed militant Eurosceptics 'bastards'
87
Yugoslav Wars in Major era
Yugoslavia had broken out into ethnic conflict Little diplomatic gains could be made as Milosevic would go back on his word, and there wasn't an aim for how the Balkans should look like aside from 'more peaceful' After the Bosnian Genocide started, the Vance-Owen Plan (co-drafted by the formed foreign secretary David Owen) helped pave the way for lasting peace in the region Srebrenica Genocide would show that Western/UN efforts did little to deter Milosevic NATO then bombed the Serbs US secured a peace deal (Dayton Accords)
88
Peak and trough of unemployment under Major
3m in 1992 -> 1.5m in 1997
89
Who started PFIs?
John Major
90
TULRA
1992 anti-TU act
91
Who got rid of Neddy?
John Major
92
Wefare reform under Major
Introduction of the Jobseekers' Allowance to incentivise employment.
93
How did anti-union pressure cause the downfall of the Tories
Diminished TU influence over leftist politics, making Labour more electable (1997)
94
Political effects of Black Wednesday
Chancellor Lamont replaced with Ken Clarke after a few months Hurt Tories' economic credibility Bad losses in European and local elections 1994 "Devalued PM of a devalued govt" -John Smith Majority sapped away by repeated by-election losses
95
What industries did Major privatise?
Coal and Railways
96
Why did some Conservatives oppose privatising coal
They saw it as a betrayal of the loyal UDM. Because of this, generous redundancy payments were given to those laid off.
97
When was the Channel Tunnel opened?
1994

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