Chapter 6-Thatcher and the end of consensus,1979-97
Why Thatcher won three elections
The election of 1979
Margaret Thatcher was a striking ‘conviction politician’, with clear views that offered a break with the past at a time
when there was much talk of ‘decline’ and ‘the need for modernising Britain’. Labour’s overall vote increased in
1979, but the electoral system favoured the Conservatives. Marginal seats were key, and Thatcher appealed to
marginal voters, especially in London, the Midlands and the south-east by stressing the need for trade union reform
and attacking ‘socialism’. She also had some key press support. Labour seemed divided and to have no strategy to
deal with rising strike actions, inflation, unemployment and economic stagnation. The Conservatives also gained
support from former Liberal voters, as the Liberals were damaged by Labour’s unpopularity over the ‘Winter of
Discontent.
The election of 1983
The Conservatives actually polled fewer votes than 1979 in this election, but the Labour vote fell from 11.5 million to
8.5 million, giving Thatcher a convincing majority. This was despite rising unemployment and controversial policies.
Her privatisation policies were well underway by 1983 and had increased public shareholding. Other economic
policies had begun to reduce inflation. The victory in the war against Argentina over the Falklands, despite much
criticism of the war and how it was fought, had received favourable press coverage and was seen as leading a
national revival.
The Labour party had split in 1981, with moderates breaking away from a party that had moved to the left with the
election of Michael Foot as leader in 1980. The new Social Democratic party, together with their allies, the Liberals,
polled 7.7 million votes, splitting the anti-Conservative vote. Previous Labour voters were turned away because of
unpopular policies, such as nuclear disarmament and the nationalisation of industry. Foot’s manifesto was called ‘the
longest suicide note in history’. Foot himself was not concerned with his image and did not compare well on TV with
the extremely forthright and confident Thatcher.
The election of 1987
The Conservatives increased their popular vote in this election, though actually lost 21 seats from their 1983
majority. Again, the SPD-Liberal alliance, which polled 7.3 million votes, split the left, and Labour had not, through
either leaders or its policies, been able to make a breakthrough.
Several Conservative policies were successful and popular:
In key seats, the growth in shareholding and the ownership of council houses pleased aspiring middle-class
voters.
Inflation remained under control and was at its lowest level in the decade in 1986.
Privatisation had increased and seemed, despite some early issues, to be working.
The burden of taxes had shifted from more unpopular direct taxes to indirect taxes.
The deregulation of the financial sector had produced a financial boom engineered by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Nigel Lawson.
Thatcher remained a charismatic if somewhat overbearing leader and her personal courage during an assassination
attempt at Brighton had been admirable. She also had high standing internationally, fostering good relations with
both the USA and the USSR. Though there was no Falklands factor, Thatcher still kept the image of a strong and
purposeful leader. The trade unions had been damaged by the unsuccessful Miners’ Strike of 1984-85, during which
the government had stood firm. This contrasted with the much less successful attempts at union regulation under
Wilson, Callaghan and Heath.
All three elections were not entirely the result of the success of Thatcher but did not reflect the continuing appeal
that her strongly articulated policies and decisive personality had.
Why Thatcher won three elections
The election of 1979
Margaret Thatcher was a striking ‘conviction politician’, with clear views that offered a break with the past at a time
when there was much talk of ‘decline’ and ‘the need for modernising Britain’. Labour’s overall vote increased in
1979, but the electoral system favoured the Conservatives. Marginal seats were key, and Thatcher appealed to
marginal voters, especially in London, the Midlands and the south-east by stressing the need for trade union reform
and attacking ‘socialism’. She also had some key press support. Labour seemed divided and to have no strategy to
deal with rising strike actions, inflation, unemployment and economic stagnation. The Conservatives also gained
support from former Liberal voters, as the Liberals were damaged by Labour’s unpopularity over the ‘Winter of
Discontent.
The election of 1983
The Conservatives actually polled fewer votes than 1979 in this election, but the Labour vote fell from 11.5 million to
8.5 million, giving Thatcher a convincing majority. This was despite rising unemployment and controversial policies.
Her privatisation policies were well underway by 1983 and had increased public shareholding. Other economic
policies had begun to reduce inflation. The victory in the war against Argentina over the Falklands, despite much
criticism of the war and how it was fought, had received favourable press coverage and was seen as leading a
national revival.
The Labour party had split in 1981, with moderates breaking away from a party that had moved to the left with the
election of Michael Foot as leader in 1980. The new Social Democratic party, together with their allies, the Liberals,
polled 7.7 million votes, splitting the anti-Conservative vote. Previous Labour voters were turned away because of
unpopular policies, such as nuclear disarmament and the nationalisation of industry. Foot’s manifesto was called ‘the
longest suicide note in history’. Foot himself was not concerned with his image and did not compare well on TV with
the extremely forthright and confident Thatcher.
The election of 1987
The Conservatives increased their popular vote in this election, though actually lost 21 seats from their 1983
majority. Again, the SPD-Liberal alliance, which polled 7.3 million votes, split the left, and Labour had not, through
either leaders or its policies, been able to make a breakthrough.
Several Conservative policies were successful and popular:
In key seats, the growth in shareholding and the ownership of council houses pleased aspiring middle-class
voters.
Inflation remained under control and was at its lowest level in the decade in 1986.
Privatisation had increased and seemed, despite some early issues, to be working.
The burden of taxes had shifted from more unpopular direct taxes to indirect taxes.
The deregulation of the financial sector had produced a financial boom engineered by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Nigel Lawson.
Thatcher remained a charismatic if somewhat overbearing leader and her personal courage during an assassination
attempt at Brighton had been admirable. She also had high standing internationally, fostering good relations with
both the USA and the USSR. Though there was no Falklands factor, Thatcher still kept the image of a strong and
purposeful leader. The trade unions had been damaged by the unsuccessful Miners’ Strike of 1984-85, during which
the government had stood firm. This contrasted with the much less successful attempts at union regulation under
Wilson, Callaghan and Heath.
All three elections were not entirely the result of the success of Thatcher but did not reflect the continuing appeal
that her strongly articulated policies and decisive personality had.
