Thatcher Society

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Give the context of the 1983 general election.
At the beginning of 1982, Thatcher ws one of the most unpopular PM's, yet in the 1983 general election the Conservative's won a huge landslide victory.
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Conservative victory 1983: Splintering of political opposition as a whole.
Discounting the nationalist parties, anti-Conservative votes was 16 million - 3 million more than pro-Tory. This showed the distorting effect of the first-past-the-post system. The Alliance got only 500,000 fewer votes than Labour but 186 fewer seats
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What was the Tories majority in the 1983 election?
144 seats.
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Conservative victory 1983: Labour leadership lacked credibility.
Foot struggled to deal with division within the party and performed badly on TV. Also, the Labour manifesto was dominated by left-wing promises - unilateral disarmament, EEC withdrawal and fox hunting ban.
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Who was Gerald Kaufman?
A Labour MP.
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What did Gerald Kaufman comment about Labour's 1983 manifesto?
It was the longest suicide note in history.
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What was the political landscape transformed by in 1982?
The Falklands War in April. The decision was a gamble that could have drastically wrong but it proved to be a success. It showed Thatcher;s bold leadership. Though there was some opposition, it unleashed a wave of patriotism.
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Who supported the Falkland's War?
The national press and most of the Labour Party.
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How did the 'Falkland's factor' galvanise the grass-roots Conservative activists?
Thatcher gained in self-confidence and began to dominate the party in a way she had not been able to before. Her ability to make tough, correct decisions made people believe she could do this domestically.
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Why did the Conservatives win the 1983 general election?
Ultimately because of the Falklands War, but it does not wholly explain the result.
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Who did the Conservatives have the backing of in both the 1983 and 1987 general elections?
The national press.
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What issues did the Tory Party fight the 1987 general election on?
Strong defence, a growing economy and lower tax promises.
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How did the Westland affair harm the Conservative Party in 1987?
The internal squabble did not greatly harm the government - despite losing 22 seats, the Tory's still had an overall majority of 100 in the Commons.
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When was the Westland affair?
1986
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How had Labour improved by 1987?
Though Kinnock had done a lot to restore party discipline and make the party organisation more effeicnt, it was a huge task and Labour suffered another defeat.
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When did the SDP-Liberal alliance have the most momentum?
In 1981 and 1982.
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Why did the SDP-Liberal alliance start to lose momentum?
Due to ideological difference as opposition to Thatcher was not enough to give unity in itself. There were also personal differences between the 2 Davids.
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How much of the vote did the SDP-Liberal alliance get in the 1980s?
40% in 1983 and 24% in 1987.
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What was the role of the SDP-Liberal alliance up to 1987?
The SDP began to shrink - only formed as Labour in 1981 was seen as completely unelectable. Moderates felt they had to leave to fight left-wing extremism. Now, as Pinnock established his grip on the party, moderate socialism was back.
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What took place in 1988?
The Liberal Party and SDP formally merged to form the Liberal Democrats. David Owen disagreed with this and resigned. Many other MP's switched back to Labour.
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How successful were the Liberal Democrats?
They remained a force in politics, especially through their slick campaigning in by-elections and local elections, but the hope of 'breaking the mould' melted away.
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How much support did nationalist parties have in the 1980s?
4.8% of the vote in 1983 and 5.4% of the vote in 1987.
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Card 2

Front

Conservative victory 1983: Splintering of political opposition as a whole.

Back

Discounting the nationalist parties, anti-Conservative votes was 16 million - 3 million more than pro-Tory. This showed the distorting effect of the first-past-the-post system. The Alliance got only 500,000 fewer votes than Labour but 186 fewer seats

Card 3

Front

What was the Tories majority in the 1983 election?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Conservative victory 1983: Labour leadership lacked credibility.

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Who was Gerald Kaufman?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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