UK Politics & Society: Thatcher to Cameron (1979-2015)
The End of the Thatcher Era: Main Difficulties
At the end of the Thatcher Era, unemployment reached 3 million, and young people had no social assistance. There was less investment in education, art, and health. Consequently, Thatcher’s popularity declined.
Moreover, the introduction of the poll tax was unsuccessful, leading to widespread protests. Even then, unemployment continued to rise, and the pound came under pressure. Furthermore, there was significant opposition to Margaret Thatcher within her own party.
Social Changes and Improvements in the 1990s
Thatcherism’s popularity decreased. The economy became deindustrialized, relying more on financial services, information technology, tourism, culture, and leisure. Agriculture showed resilience, and rural Britain found new users, with walking, cycling, and camping surging in popularity.
Moreover, politics acquired a ‘green tinge’ after the Kyoto Protocol. The Internet’s World Wide Web began to penetrate every household, transforming communication and information retrieval. People could work from home, and economic activity developed. Family incomes also increased.
Tony Blair’s Leadership Style
Tony Blair and Gordon Brown calmed the public by affirming that the Labour Party would not dismantle Thatcher’s successful measures and would avoid the unsuccessful ones.
Blair continued the privatization program and maintained support for nuclear weapons and a pro-American foreign policy.
Main Reforms of Tony Blair
The New Labour project, led by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, proposed:
- Changes to the constitution
- Weakening union power
- Neutering the all-powerful national executive
- Replacing the old union block-voting system with one-member-one-vote for most internal elections
- Depriving the annual conference of its traditional role in writing the manifesto
In 1998, Blair oversaw the ‘Good Friday’ Agreement between Protestant and Catholic parties. By 1999, a Scottish Parliament was in place, the first since the Middle Ages. The Bank of England was given the power to set interest rates.
Tony Blair also introduced:
- A minimum wage
- A Sure Start program for poorer children
- An act for freedom of government information (which he later regretted)
The number of new secondary ‘academies’ increased across the country. Private companies also ran prisons and supplied traffic wardens and speed cameras.
The Lisbon Treaty
The Lisbon Treaty, initially called ‘The Reform Treaty,’ is an international agreement that modifies the two treaties forming the constitutional basis of the European Union. It was signed by EU member states on December 1, 2007. The UK joined the treaty on the condition that UK law would take precedence.
Blair’s Interventionism
Blair strengthened his friendship with US President Bill Clinton. In 1999, with British forces fighting alongside America, Blair proclaimed a new generation of liberal humanitarian wars to justify British intervention. The previous caution in foreign policy was abandoned. Interventionism intensified after 9/11, and Britain joined the US in the war on terror, culminating in a secret agreement to extend the Afghan counterattack into an unprovoked attack on Iraq.
Thatcher’s Influence During Blair’s Tenure
Privatization was a central aim of Thatcher’s policies. Blair had rescued his party from defeat and brought it to terms with the Thatcher Revolution. He sought to surpass other nations and even mimicked Thatcher’s assertive foreign policy. He also maintained close relationships with US Presidents Clinton and Bush, similar to Thatcher’s relationship with Reagan.
Peculiarities of the 2010 Elections
None of the parties achieved the 326 seats needed for an overall majority. David Cameron (Conservatives) won the most votes and seats but fell 20 seats short. Coalition talks lasted for five days, involving Gordon Brown, Nick Clegg, and David Cameron. Brown announced his resignation as Labour Party Leader on May 10th. The Conservatives formed a coalition with Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrats.
The Current Prime Minister (as of 2015 context)
(Note: This section reflects the context of the original document, which appears to be from around 2015.)
Key events and changes during this period (referring to David Cameron and Nick Clegg’s government):
- 2008-2013: Recession and an increase in university tuition and fees.
- 2012: Olympic Games in London.
- 2013: Thatcher died following a stroke; funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral.
- 2013: The date for the Scottish independence referendum was announced.
- December 2013: Cameron announced restrictions on immigrants, culminating in the Immigration Act of 2014.
John Major’s Government Measures
John Major brought back Thatcher’s nemesis, Michael Heseltine, as his deputy and abandoned the poll tax. He maintained close ties with the US by: finishing the first Gulf War, expelling Iraq from Kuwait, and negotiating a British opt-out on the future of Europe. This kept Britain out of the new Euro currency zone and avoided restrictions on social and employment laws.
The Poll Tax
The poll tax was a tax imposed on every adult, regardless of their income or resources. Implemented by Margaret Thatcher, it was highly unpopular due to its perceived unfairness, as everyone paid the same amount regardless of their earnings.
Leaders and Changes of the New Labour Project
The leaders of the New Labour Project were Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Their aim was to restructure the Labour Movement comprehensively. They proposed:
- Changes to the constitution
- Weakening union power
- Neutering the all-powerful national executive
- Replacing the old union block-voting system with one-member-one-vote for most internal elections
- Depriving the annual conference of its traditional role in writing the manifesto
The Second Transformation
Between 1994 and 1997, Blair and Brown, along with Peter Mandelson and Alastair Campbell, effected a second transformation. It proposed that the Labour Party would not dismantle the elements of Thatcherism that had proven popular. Blair refused to abolish Thatcher’s anti-union laws or her privatization program. He favored maintaining nuclear weapons and a pro-American foreign policy.
The Third Way in Labour’s Program
The “Third Way” was a centrist position that attempted to reconcile right-wing and left-wing politics by advocating a synthesis of right-wing economic policies and left-wing social policies.
The UK Economy from the 1990s
The economy was substantially deindustrialized. It relied on financial services, information technology, tourism, culture, and leisure for its wealth.
Presentation and Blair’s Government
This refers to the government’s increased awareness of public perception and the actions of the press. The phrase “Daily Mail” likely refers to the newspaper’s influence.
Blair’s Actions Regarding Scotland, Wales, and London
Blair introduced elected assemblies in Scotland, Wales, and London. A Scottish Parliament and a new Welsh Assembly were established by 1999, creating a constitutional balance for the first time.
Relationship Between Blair’s Government and the Private Sector
Schools, hospitals, and local governments continued the Conservative policy of privatization. Blair aimed to privatize public investment. All new hospitals built under the Labour government were privately financed (costing £6 billion). The number of new secondary ‘academies’ increased, and private companies ran prisons and supplied traffic wardens and speed cameras.
Examples of Blair Softening Thatcherism
- In 2004, same-sex partnerships were recognized in law, and the 2005 Parliament included eleven openly gay MPs.
- Climate change became a higher priority, and many people began to consider their carbon footprint.
Foreign Policy Under Blair
Blair relied on his friendship with Bill Clinton (USA). In 1999, with British forces fighting alongside America, Blair proclaimed a new generation of liberal humanitarian wars to justify British intervention where leaders believed evil was being perpetrated. The previous caution in foreign policy was abandoned. Interventionism intensified after 9/11, and Britain joined America in attacking Kabul. Blair supported Bush’s war, culminating in a secret agreement to extend the Afghan counterattack into an unprovoked attack on Iraq.
“Nanny State” Policies
“Nanny State” refers to the perception that the government was becoming overly intrusive and controlling, like a nanny. The government was seen as giving excessive advice on how people should live their lives. Events and concerts were banned due to ‘health and safety’ concerns. Britain had a high number of surveillance cameras and high spending on police and public safety.
Blair Compared to Thatcher
Tony Blair was a “poacher turned gamekeeper,” initially opposing and then adopting Thatcher’s policies. While he mimicked Thatcher’s assertiveness abroad, his war choices were less wise. Domestically, he lacked her ability to command the government machinery. He was beholden to the right-wing voters, much like his Labour predecessors had been to the trade unions.
Main Concerns of the Tory-Dominated Coalition (2010)
- Establishing a five-year parliament, rewriting the constitution.
- Rescuing public finances.
- Resuming cut programs (similar to 1921, 1931, and 1980) with five years of reductions across the public sector.
Problems Faced by Brown’s Government
World stock markets crashed in 2008, requiring bank rescue loans. In 2009, hundreds of MPs were found to have made fraudulent expense claims. There was upward pressure on the budget, significant debt, and banks relied heavily on the state. Brown also struggled to work effectively with his ministers.
“Déjà Vu” in British Public Life
This refers to the recession reminiscent of Thatcher’s government. The response was similar: instead of cutting taxes, they were raised, and government spending was slashed. The 1980 budget announced that benefits would be cut and taxed. The government again professed a desire to decentralize power and reduce the state’s size and reach, leading to strikes and protests.
Unchanged Elements
- Government struggled to govern.
- The people protesting are consented.
- A parliament based on a constitution had guarded the constitution for almost a millennium.
- There is no sign of an end to the monarchy.