Lesson Four: Labours Lost Years – Conservative Party Rule 1979-1997

Success Criteria – I can… What you will learn… Success Criteria – I can… Describe the factors which contributed to the Conservatives electoral success Explain the impact of these factors on the Labour Party Why the Labour Party failed to win elections throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s which allowed the Conservative party to dominate British Politics for 18 years. .

Background to the 1979 election The Labour government that came to power in 1974 (as a minority administration from February and with a wafer thin majority from October) faced difficult economic circumstances, with inflation and unemployment both running at post-war record levels. In April 1976, Prime Minister Harold Wilson was succeeded by Jim Callaghan. By March 1977 Callaghan agreed to a parliamentary arrangement with David Steel and the Liberal Party which became known as the 'Lib-Lab Pact‘ The ‘Winter of Discontent’ hit and crisis over the Devolution referendum in Scotland all led to a vote of ‘no confidence’ and a General Election was called.

The Winter of Discontent refers to the winter of 1978–79, during which there were widespread strikes by public sector trade unions demanding larger pay rises, following the on-going pay caps of the Labour Party government led by James Callaghan. While the strikes were largely over by February 1979, the government's inability to contain the strikes earlier helped lead to Margaret Thatcher's Conservative victory in the 1979 general election and legislation to restrict unions. There were strikes by gravediggers, refuse collectors and NHS workers, who formed picket lines to blockade hospital entrances with the result that many hospitals were reduced to taking emergency patients only.

The phrase "Winter of Discontent" is from the opening line of William Shakespeare's Richard III and was first applied to the events of the winter by Robin Chater, a writer at Incomes Data Report. It was subsequently used in a speech by James Callaghan and translated to define a crisis by tabloids – including The Sun. The weather turned very Cold in the early months of 1979 with blizzards and deep snow, the coldest since 1962–63, rendering some jobs impossible, reducing retail spending and worsening the economy. news bulletin: strikes PPB: Thatcher

Labour and the 1979 election Read over the hand-out on the Labour Party and the 1979 election then answer the following questions. What external factors contributed to Labour’s defeat at the 1979 election? Internally, the Labour party was “at war” – for what reasons? Did the silencing of the far left wing within the Labour party harm their success in the 1979 election? Was Thatcher always considered a strong leader? Compare the public’s impression of James Callaghan with Margaret Thatcher in 1979. In what way did age play a factor in voting? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k8lMc3QmSk – charing cross hospital strikes

Thatcher’s First Term: 1979-83 Margaret Thatcher’s first term was not without it’s problems. The country was still struggling and the public were still to see the advance to more prosperous times promised by Thatcher when she arrived in Downing Street in 1979. Terrorism and the threat from the IRA to mainland Britain had increased. Britain had become involved in conflict with Argentina over Argentina’s occupation of British owned Falkland Islands. There were real opportunities for Labour to get back into power after one term out.

Task Create an “Election Success” Worksheet as suggested. Fill in the details of who the party leaders were who battled in the election, which party was victorious/defeated and, most importantly, why? Continue to complete this after each election summary in this powerpoint.

Reasons for Election Success Reasons for Election Defeat Election Year Winner of Election Reasons for Election Success Reasons for Election Defeat Con Lab 1979 1983 1987 1992 1997

The 1983 Election Party Number of Seats From 1979 Election Thatcher’s new opponent was Michael Foot. Despite a rocky first term Thatcher was perhaps saved as the economy was beginning to progress by 1983 and victory was achieved in the Falklands presenting Thatcher as a successful ‘war PM’. Party Number of Seats From 1979 Election Percentage of the Overall Vote Conservatives 397 +58 seats 42.4 (-1.5) Labour 209 -50 seats 27.6 (-9.3) Liberal 23 +12 seats 25.4 (+11.6) 1983 Election Campaign

Why Did Labour Fail to Capitalise in 1983? Conservative Majority 144 Margaret Thatcher remains PM The Labour party was still struggling to re-build its reputation following the mess it left in 1979. Choice of Leader – Michael Foot was credited with holding the party together at it’s weakest point but he was poorly presented and was not packaged as a ‘PM in waiting’ vs. Thatcher who was beginning to embrace key charismatic leadership qualities. Poor Election Campaign – shambolic campaign vs. well organised Conservative campaign. BBC review of Michael Foot when he died March 3rd 2010 Labour's 1983 manifesto

Thatcher’s Second Term: 1983-87 Margaret Thatcher’s second term was also not without it’s problems. Country was beginning to show real economic progress. For many this was at the expense of manual industries which were in decline – Miners strikes (84-85) etc. – Thatcher had tightened her grip over the unions. miners strike anti poll tax campaign Threat from the IRA was still prevalent – 1984 Brighton Bomb attack during Conservative Party Conference presented this first hand to Thatcher Mid-Cold War – Thatcher and her US counterpart Ronald Regan still deep in negotiation with Russia to reduce east-west tension

Watch, Listen and Learn! You will now watch part 2 of “The Downing Street Years”. Remember to take notes as you will be expected to answer questions later! Downing Street Years - 2/4

1987 Election Conservative Majority – 102 Margaret Thatcher wins third term Party No of Seats From 1983 Election % of overall votes Conservatives 376 -21 42.3 (-0.1) Labour 229 +20 31.5 (+3.9) Liberals/SDP 22 -1 22.5 (-2.9)

Why Did Labour Fail to Capitalise in 1987? The Labour leader in the 1987 election was Neil Kinnock. Despite issues in her second term Thatcher was perhaps again saved as the economy had improved and the UK public were feeling this improvement in some parts. The Labour party had worked hard to present itself better than during the 1983 election. Better Election Campaign – had progressed campaign methods to better present the party and its leader. Choice of Leader – Neil Kinnock was a massive improvement on Michael Foot - better presented and was packaged better as a possible ‘PM in waiting’. Policies still failed to appeal to the electorate. The Sun was still backing the Conservatives.

Watch, Listen and Learn! For homework you should watch part 3 of “The Downing Street Years”. Remember to take notes as you will be expected to answer questions later! The Downing Street Years - Part 3/4

Background to 1992 Election Margaret Thatcher stepped down as leader of the Conservative Party and PM in 1990. She was forced out by her own party and cabinet who had lost confidence in her ability to lead. The economy had lost its way, the introduction of the poll tax was unpopular and her stance on Europe lost her support which was questioned by many in the party prior to 1987. John Major replaced Thatcher as Conservative leader and PM from 1990 and ran in the 1992 General Election. John Major was very different to Thatcher in terms of leadership style – more open to working with members of cabinet – less ‘dictator-like’ during cabinet meetings.

1992 Election Conservative Majority – 21 – Conservatives win forth term – John Major (replaced Thatcher after she resigned remains) PM Party No of Seats From 1987 Election % share of the Votes Conservatives 336 -21 41.9 (-0.4) Labour 271 +20 34.4 (+2.9) Liberals/SDP 20 -1 17.8 (-4.7)

Watch, Listen and Learn! We will now watch the final part of “The Downing Street Years”. Remember to take notes as you will be expected to answer questions later! The Downing Street Years - Part 4/4

Remember, not all factors will be negative. Create a mind map highlighting important information on the factors which affected Labour’s electoral performance from 1979-1992. Remember, not all factors will be negative. Party Policies/ Dominant Ideas of the Party Leader/Leadership Impact of factors on Labour’s Electoral Performance 1979-1992 State of the Opposition Party (Conservatives: 1979-1992) Media/Media Portrayal