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 Who are the Conservatives?Conservatives?

To chart the evolution of the To chart the evolution of the Conservative PartyConservative Party

To identify and assess the policies To identify and assess the policies of modern Conservativesof modern Conservatives

Aims

Your taskYour task

Create a timeline detailing key Create a timeline detailing key events, individuals and policies in events, individuals and policies in the development of the Conservative the development of the Conservative Party from its origins to the present Party from its origins to the present day. Use Watts, p.83-7day. Use Watts, p.83-7

Robert Peel Benjamin Disraeli

David Cameron

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 Read Watts p.85-7 and list the reasons why the list the reasons why the

Conservatives have Conservatives have found it difficult to win found it difficult to win

general elections since general elections since 19971997

Reasons for Tory Reasons for Tory difficultiesdifficulties

Charisma of Margaret ThatcherCharisma of Margaret Thatcher Thatcher’s continuing influence - backing Thatcher’s continuing influence - backing

leaders who would protect her legacyleaders who would protect her legacy Factors which united the Conservatives Factors which united the Conservatives

were less important, e.g. TUs, Cold War were less important, e.g. TUs, Cold War politicspolitics

New Labour Project – stole traditional New Labour Project – stole traditional Conservative policies, e.g. ‘Third Way’Conservative policies, e.g. ‘Third Way’

Sleaze – Neil Hamilton, Jonathan AitkenSleaze – Neil Hamilton, Jonathan Aitken

Reasons for Tory Reasons for Tory difficultiesdifficulties

Failure to perform well in elections, Failure to perform well in elections, e.g 2005 share of vote increased e.g 2005 share of vote increased 0.5%0.5%

Eurosceptics have split the partyEurosceptics have split the party Failure to reach out to new groups Failure to reach out to new groups

in society – seen as party of ‘blue in society – seen as party of ‘blue rinse brigade’ (av. age 65)rinse brigade’ (av. age 65)

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

ExtensionExtension

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

PlenaryPlenary

One is meant by ‘one nation’ One is meant by ‘one nation’ conservatismconservatism

What are the key features of What are the key features of Thatcherism?Thatcherism?

Why have the Conservatives found it Why have the Conservatives found it hard to win elections since 1997?hard to win elections since 1997?

How viable are Cameron’s How viable are Cameron’s Conervatives?Conervatives?

HomeworkHomework Read Watts p.87-8 and list the reason Read Watts p.87-8 and list the reason

why third and minor parties play and why third and minor parties play and important role in British politics.important role in British politics.

What are the characteristics of liberal What are the characteristics of liberal ideology? Create a spider diagram listing ideology? Create a spider diagram listing classic characteristics of liberal classic characteristics of liberal supporters.supporters.

Read p.89-90 and list the reasons why Read p.89-90 and list the reasons why minor parties have found it difficult to minor parties have found it difficult to improve their performance in UK improve their performance in UK elections.elections.