Miss
Assess the view that Thatcher’s electoral success was a result of the weakness of the Labour Party
Intro
Para 1 – Labour Weakness
1st election – 1979 * Failed to manage economy and control unions * Winter of discontent
2nd election – 1983 * Poor defence policy * Disunity * No longer the ‘party of the working class’ * Unelectable face – leader/policies/general demeanour * Moved further left but electorate moved RIGHT
3rd election – 1987 * Labour still unpopular because of their deep splits
Para 2 – Economic Success
1st election – 1979
2nd election – 1983 * Slow and steady growth from 1981 * Economic recovery underway
3rd election - 1987 * Average weekly earnings rose 14% - real terms * Steady cutting of personal taxation * 1987 – ¾ of way towards stated target of 25% standard rate * Stock market boom in 2nd term * Privatisation
Para 3 – Situational Factors
1st election – 1979
2nd election – 1983 * Material advance of individual had begun to supplant the more traditional factors in determining political verdict
3rd election – 1987 * Redrawn boundaries shich gave advantage to Conservatives
Para 4 – Conservative Strengths
1st election – 1979 * Thatcher’s successful performance in the House during debates on Finance Bill – 1974-75
2nd election – 1983 * Residual strength in southern and eastern England and greater London * Coincided with rising prosperity in expanding towns of southern England and East Anglia *
3rd election - 1987
Luck
North Sea Gas and Oil revenue * £8 billion into economy * 10% of all tax revenues
Falklands
* Thatcher sent naval army to protect island from Argentine dictator * May 2nd 1982 – Argentine Battleship Belgrano torpedoed * May 18th – Task force land * Retake islands in 3 weeks * 255 British deaths * Success * Rise in patriotism * - Thatcher = powerful leader who stood up for Britain
Intro
Para 1 – Labour Weakness
1st election – 1979 * Failed to manage economy and control unions * Winter of discontent
2nd election – 1983 * Poor defence policy * Disunity * No longer the ‘party of the working class’ * Unelectable face – leader/policies/general demeanour * Moved further left but electorate moved RIGHT
3rd election – 1987 * Labour still unpopular because of their deep splits
Para 2 – Economic Success
1st election – 1979
2nd election – 1983 * Slow and steady growth from 1981 * Economic recovery underway
3rd election - 1987 * Average weekly earnings rose 14% - real terms * Steady cutting of personal taxation * 1987 – ¾ of way towards stated target of 25% standard rate * Stock market boom in 2nd term * Privatisation
Para 3 – Situational Factors
1st election – 1979
2nd election – 1983 * Material advance of individual had begun to supplant the more traditional factors in determining political verdict
3rd election – 1987 * Redrawn boundaries shich gave advantage to Conservatives
Para 4 – Conservative Strengths
1st election – 1979 * Thatcher’s successful performance in the House during debates on Finance Bill – 1974-75
2nd election – 1983 * Residual strength in southern and eastern England and greater London * Coincided with rising prosperity in expanding towns of southern England and East Anglia *
3rd election - 1987
Luck
North Sea Gas and Oil revenue * £8 billion into economy * 10% of all tax revenues
Falklands
* Thatcher sent naval army to protect island from Argentine dictator * May 2nd 1982 – Argentine Battleship Belgrano torpedoed * May 18th – Task force land * Retake islands in 3 weeks * 255 British deaths * Success * Rise in patriotism * - Thatcher = powerful leader who stood up for Britain