 starter activity  Margaret Thatcher is arguably one of the most popular and the most reviled of British PMs of the twentieth century. Why is this?

Who are the Conservatives?  Aims To chart the evolution of the Conservative Party To identify and assess the policies of modern Conservatives

 Your task Create a timeline detailing key events, individuals and policies in the development of the Conservative Party from its origins to the present day. Use Watts, p.83-7 Robert Peel Benjamin Disraeli David Cameron

Early Conservatives, e. g Early Conservatives, e.g. Edmund Burke, ‘Reflections on the French Revolution’ were suspicious of the ideas of the French Revolution which threatened structure of society

Robert Peel, Conservative PM (1834-5) was responsible for the foundation of the modern day police force and the modern day Conservative Party (formerly Tory Party). He convinced party to broaden its appeal to middle-classes

Under Benjamin Disraeli, the idea of ‘One Nation’ Conservatism became popular, e.g. 1867 Electoral Reform Act gave working-classes right to vote, 1875 Public Health Act improved public health & living conditions in towns

During the early twentieth century the Conservatives struggled to gain power against the growing popularity of the trade union movement and the Labour Party. In 1926, a Conservative government under Stanley Baldwin broke the first General Strike

In twentieth century Conservative Party in office for 67 years either alone or in coalition

Anthony Eden (1955-7), Harold Macmillan (1957-63), Alec Douglas Home (1963-4). Conservative PMs during the period of post-War consensus remained committed to pragmatism, ‘one-nationism’, mixed economies (Keynesianism), increasing European involvement

Thatcher, PM from 1979-1990 heralded a new era of more confrontational, ideological conservatism, influenced by the ideas of free market economic and the ideas of the New Right from the US

For Thatcher, America was our closest partner, not the Europe

Key Thatcherite ideas include: minimal government intervention, ‘rolling back the frontiers of the state’, free market economics, traditional family values, deregulation, the importance of the individual over the state, privatisation, restrictions on union powers, law & order & national sovereignty

Members of her cabinet like Francis Pym (Foreign Sec) who didn’t support her policies were dubbed ‘wets’

Ardent supporters like Norman Tebbit (Party Chairman) were named ‘Dries’

John Major (PM, 1990-97) signalled a new less confrontational approach and a return to one nationism

Read Watts p.85-7 and list the reasons why the Conservatives have found it difficult to win general elections since 1997

Reasons for Tory difficulties Charisma of Margaret Thatcher Thatcher’s continuing influence - backing leaders who would protect her legacy Factors which united the Conservatives were less important, e.g. TUs, Cold War politics New Labour Project – stole traditional Conservative policies, e.g. ‘Third Way’ Sleaze – Neil Hamilton, Jonathan Aitken

Reasons for Tory difficulties Failure to perform well in elections, e.g 2005 share of vote increased 0.5% Eurosceptics have split the party Failure to reach out to new groups in society – seen as party of ‘blue rinse brigade’ (av. age 65)

Use the information on p Use the information on p.86 and explain whether the Conservatives are now a viable party.

 Extension Visit the Conservative Party website and see where the party currently stands on health, education and law & order

 Plenary One is meant by ‘one nation’ conservatism What are the key features of Thatcherism? Why have the Conservatives found it hard to win elections since 1997? How viable are Cameron’s Conervatives?

 Homework Read Watts p.87-8 and list the reason why third and minor parties play and important role in British politics. What are the characteristics of liberal ideology? Create a spider diagram listing classic characteristics of liberal supporters. Read p.89-90 and list the reasons why minor parties have found it difficult to improve their performance in UK elections.