British Politics

British Politic

Critically assess what we mean by the term 'Thatcherism'

Introduction

I will be attempting to evaluate and analyse the term of 'Thatcherism'. I will raise issues and introduce her consensus and strategies as a PM. To what extent or degree has the Thatcher government dominated British politics.

Its is the first ism in British politics. Thatcherism has an ism at the end of her name, there is only ism in Thatcher e.g. Thatcherism and no ism in Blair.

New leader

Between 1964 - 1974 conservatives party was not success in elections, they lost four election out of five and three of them lose came under the leadership of Edward Heath. Margaret Thatcher succeeded, and replaced Heath in (1975). Margaret Thatcher became the prime Minster leading the Conservative Govt. Below shows t the results of Thatcher Govt majority of seats won on the following terms

Election Conservative Majority

1979 44

1983 144

1987 101

In an interview taken by Simon Heffer which took place on 1996, Mrs Thatcher being the interviewee stated that Joseph and Powel both ex Cons. Leader had influence her to become a Cons. She also stated that they both a great men.

Thatcher has been favourable to the public. Thatcher has very strong leadership skills what this meant that she was ready to take up new challenges and never backed out if found her self in a mess. She argued with her cabinets and the queen she's isn't scared of anyone.

She was the first women prime Minister in British politics, she was the longest prime minister with 3 excessive victories (in 1979, 1983 and 1987) and leading the Conservative government for a total of 11 years. She was also seen as characteristic and a controversial figure, she was also idolize and innovative. What is factual is that she has constantly dominated British Politics, also 3 election wins in a row and only the first government to have 3 victories in a row in the past era. Conservative have not be very competitive aftermath of post war era.

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Cons challenge political consensus.

Thatcher challenged and abolished key consensus which have been embedded by the Attlee government, Thatcher intention was to tackle the post war consensus by doing this she immediately abolished four out of 6 consensus of political theories. She decided to make changes to political concepts and challenge this. Thatcher would break the Keynesian post war consensus. Welfare state would be a political success if she had challenged it then there will be consequences to pay. You can see how influential Thatcher was. She was afraid of challenging welfare state & foreign policy.

1998

The economy would decline rapidly and increase of inflation. Government believed that interest rate should increase from 7% to 15% and also unemployment was expanding, mostly effecting middle class in south England, increase rate hit housing market, mortgage repayment increase also.

"on the contrary, it has been noted that whilst the Thatcher Government clearly entered office determined to do 'something' about the trade unions, and particularly concerned about specific aspects of British trade unionism, this in no way amounted to a coherent programme of reform: instead, the Thatcher Government's reform of trade unions and industrial relations was highly pragmatic and incremental , particular measures often being introduced only in response to particular concerns as and when they arouse (Dorey 1993; Marsh 1992)". (P. Dorey, pg 173, 1995)

The Thatcher Government wanted to control inflation, as they have known that Labour would tax a lot, this would cause the inflation to escalate, also Monetarist inflation cost economy. Thatcher goal was to eliminate inflation as one of her policy and also wanted to restrain and reduce public expenditure. Inflation was not abolished but stayed above 5%.

Thatcher government has promised the public to low inflation at 5% and also low tax she kept her word. The system of Thatcher Govt stated that it must disengage from economic decision making, what this meant that all individuals could participate in decision making process which relate to economic & trade union.

after the general election of 1970s, had ended the Conservatives had radically reform of British trade union & industrial relations. According to 1910 Heath G. made a U turn , I think he did a U turn on the trade union, Thatcher was not compelled , repeat the same as Heath policy.

Thatcher Government have been declared as the political party of British Politics, they have reformed economy while Britain economy moved form the bottom to the top of the league and yet growing in the European Economics.

Privatisation

Some of the policies which have been embedded or link with Thacherism in 1980s, have been initiated by Callaghan Govt during 1976 - 9, she would sell council houses to tenants giving them the opportunity to buy. She is not the first PM to have pursue or adopt the policy. The reason for why she sold council houses because they were privatisation or nationalise. The rich were becoming richer. the Govt was revenging money. When Thatcher decided to reduce public expenditure, crisis occur and pressure was escalating and the Govt facing with a big problem, what this meant that unemployment would escalate from 1m to 3m an e.g. more people were becoming unemployed Attlee Govt did not wanted to see 3% to 4% of unemployed. money was invested on social security which impacted rapidly on unemployment.

she would sell what the state owned. She would sell it to share holder while the government generate income , it is clear politics. The reason why