How successful were the Conservatives at the polls between 1979 and 1987? Starter: What’s the story behind this image? Challenge: How was this symbolic of the Labour Party in the late 1970s and 1980s?

Notwithstanding electoral defeat, Callaghan stayed on as Labour leader until 15 October 1980, shortly after the party conference had voted for a new system of election by electoral college involving the individual members and trade unions. His resignation ensured that his successor would be elected by MPs only. After a campaign that laid bare the deep internal divisions of the parliamentary Labour Party, Michael Foot narrowly defeated Denis Healey on 10 November in the second round of the election to succeed Callaghan as party leader. Foot’s leadership of the Labour Party would see it move dramatically to the left (his 1983 manifesto was described as “the longest suicide note in history”) The Labour Party would be plagued with internal divisions between the left and right as well as 4 senior members of the party leaving and forming the SDP.

1983 General Election With the Labour Party in the midst of civil war between the hard left and hard right, Thatcher called an election on May 9th 1983. By this time, the Labour Party were overwhelmingly dominated by the hard left (rallied behind figures like Tony Benn). This led to the election being nicknames ‘the Benn Election’. The extreme left manifesto was very quickly agreed upon even by many right-wingers in the party. Some members of the party agreed to it in the hope of electoral defeat – the idea was that the party would realise the left wasn’t the best path and become more centrist under a leader like Healey. The ‘83 campaign for Labour was poor organised. Foot chose to go on a traditional speaking tour of the country rather than use modern electioneering techniques. Many in the media claimed that Labour would never hold elected office again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ITCj38dLgk&t=2469s

Learning Tasks Read the BBC handouts on the 1974, 1979, 1983 and 1987. Create a line graph showing the seats gained for both Labour and the Conservatives over this period. For each election, use the information on the handouts and the information pp. 112-114 to explain the results. (Include information on the campaign and political context at that time)

Thatcher pinned ‘Winter of Discontent’ on Labour’s shoulders Thatcher pinned ‘Winter of Discontent’ on Labour’s shoulders. Conservatives always 10 points ahead in polls, showing unity in comparison with Labour. Tory’s clever use of spin – Thatcher photographed doing shopping, drinking tea to appeal to working class voters. Saatchi and Saatchi organised their advertising campaign. Tory manifesto pledged to keep unions in check with resonated with voters sick and tired of industrial dispute. Got backing of Harold Wilson who admitted that he’d vote for Thatcher because she was a woman. Thatcher boosted with victory in the Falklands conflict in 1982 as well as improving economic situation for some sectors. Tory manifesto formed around 3 pillars – defence, employment and economic prosperity Manifesto showed commitment to EEC, nuclear weapons, trade union reform, privation, lower inflation. Wilson forced to call second election after earlier election resulted in minority government (Heath’s government could not form a government with hung parliament).Labour attacked Heath’s previous government with slogan “Labour keeps its promises” which was an attack on Tort U-turns. Wilson kept reminding voters of Tory “dark ages” of 3-day week. Labour weakened by divisions over EEC (Williams announced on TV that she would leave office if Britain voted to leave EEC, Benn and Jenkins debating against each other on TV). Tories promised mortgage interest rates down to 9.5%. Resulted in tiny majority for Labour, probably due to divisions in party. Thatcher showing signs of weakness with resignation of Heseltine and Brittan. “Wobbly Thursday” poll showed Tory lead down to 4%. Thatcher made several errors which caused tension with her party. She said she would “go on and on” worried some voters as did her suggestion of introducing fees for education. Biggest mistake was discussing her support for private health care. Callaghan’s Labour government plagued with inflation, unemployment and poor economy. Labour further weakened by poor election at by-elections and the creation of a new Scottish Labour Party. Failure to carry on Lib-Lab pact by 1978. Winter of Discontent destroyed Labour’s credibility. Callaghan denied the existence of any crisis in an interview ‘Crisis? What Crisis?’ Controversy with Scottish devolution led to SNP withdrawing support from Government and called a vote of no confidence. Heavily damaged by Tory slogan “Labour isn’t working”. Labour in much better shape than in 83. Foot replaced by Neil Kinnock who halted the party’s leftward drift and moved it back to the centre. Still suffering form challenged posed by SDP-Liberal Alliance. Labour/s campaign was very slick (run by Gould and Mandelson). Kinnock appeared in all broadcasts and press conferences much like a presidential campaign. Showpiece of campaign was a film directed by Hugh Hudson showing Kinnock and his wife – did a lot to improve Labour’s image. Healey attacked by Tories as his wife used private healthcare. He refused to discuss it on TV and famously stormed off the set. Michael Foot replaced Callaghan as leader in 1980. Foot was very left wing and his election as leader caused the party to split. Internal divisions between right and left (e.g. Foot, Benn vs. Williams, Jenkins, Healey). In 1981 four Cabinet ministers resigned and formed their own party the SDP which showed massive divisions in the party. Foot’s manifesto was incredibly left wing for the period – withdrawal from EEC, abolition of House of Lords, cancellation of Trident, removal of Cruise missiles from Britain. The press labelled it “the longest suicide note in history” Party split even further – Healey voiced his favour of nuclear weapons on Newsnight which contradicted party policy. Foot eventually forced to change manifesto’s defence commitment . He said Britain would “move towards” a non-nuclear policy but this was attacked by former leader Callaghan.