Why were the Conservatives under Major so badly defeated in 1997? Flashcards
(35 cards)
Why did Major lack authority?
The majority of Conservatives just didn’t want Heseltine
Thatcher’s supporters voted for him because she appeared to mark him out as her successor
Limited experience
Who did he appeal to?
Those tired of Thatcher
What was ridiculed in the media?
His uncharismatic personality
What did he gain some credit for and why?
The unexpected victory in the April 1992 election
His vigorous campaigning won him admiration
What happened to the Conservative majority?
Slashed to 21 seats
What was the unemployment rate in 1992?
Close to 3 million
What did the Eurosceptics loathe?
What happened to the Conservative majority and what problems did it give him?
What was there a sizable section of?
Members of the party who believed that Britain should play its full part in Europe
What happened in December 1991?
Maastricht Treaty where members committed themselves to full integration
What did Major succeed in doing?
Negotiating opt-outs from the Social Chapter and the euro
What did he have a fierce battle doing and what did he face
Securing ratification of the Treaty, facing an alliance between sceptics and Labour
What did rebels succeed in doing?
Twice inflicting defeats on the government
What did Major have to do?
Force the bill through parliament by telling his MPs that, unless they voted in favour, the government would resign
What happened to the pound?
Fell sharply as bankers sold it at its artificially high rate
What did Major and Lamnt do?
Tried unsuccessfully to sustain the pound’s values by pushing up interest rates to 10%
Getting the BOE to buy pounds
What happened on 16 September and what was the impact?
Withdrew from the ERM
Ruined the Conservatives’ reputation for sound economic management
Emboldened the Eurosceptics
Interest rates rose to 12% and later 15%
What was Major severely weakened by?
Public displays of dissent
Didn’t sack dissenting members of the Cabinet
seemed that he wasn’t in control
What happened in July 1995?
Held a leadership election, telling MPs ‘back me or sack me’
Challenged by Redwood
Won but 1/3 of the party didn’t vote for him, emphasising divisions
What had Neil Kinnock done but what happened in 1992?
A great deal to make the party electable, expelling members of the extreme left
Blamed for over-confidence in the 1992 election
Who became the leader in 1994?
Blair
What did he set about doing and what happened in April 1995?
Reconciling Labour to Thatcher’s reforms
Abolished Clause IV
What was the party rebranded as?
New Labour
Who did Blair appeal to and how?
Hitherto Conservative-supporting businessmen and City bankers by reassuring them about Labour policies
Who did Labour win the support of?
Leading figures in the media, especially Rupert Murdoch, owner of the Sun
