-
A hit at the Ideal Home Exhibition and part of the arrival of labour-saving devices, of which would inadvertently encourage women into the kitchen -
Due to a growing level of consumerism (brought on by factors such as men's weekly wage rises £8.30 - £15.35 by 1961, people in Britain enjoyed a better quality of life post-war. Through hire purchase, TV ownership increased by 32% and because of the rise in car ownership by 25% it led on to an expanding holiday industry - with roads being built to compliment it. Work on the Preston bypass began in 1958 and by the end of the decade, 60,000 holidayed at Butlins every year.
-
Two intelligence officers who defected to the USSR in 1951 and further defections created worry that British spies leaked American secrets to the Russians. Reduced trust around US nuclear secrets w/ Brits -
Labour infighting between Clause IV (industry nationalisation), a mixed or interventionist economy, multi/unilateral nuclear disarmament. HOWEVER, Bevan does abandon this at a 1957 conference and Gaitskell eventually gets his party for multi-lat disarming and NATO commitment but Clause IV stays. His plans to introduce NHS prescription charges saw resignations by Wilson and Bevan from cabinet earlier in 1951 (before GE). Dies in 1963
-
Conservatives win with 321 seats to re-elect Churchill but Labour still has the popular vote of 48.8%, only sightly ahead of the Conservatives -
He stuck by consensus and the welfare state in the start to a period of Conservative domination (321 seats!?)
-
£1.3 billion gained in efforts of economic recovery - Britain still relatively shaky post-war -
One of the many symbols of consumerism - convenience foods and the invention of the tea bag. This becomes a cultural icon for the British -
State of emergency declared and eventually independence was accepted in 1963 - atrocities by both the Mau Mau and the British in the later 1959 Hola massacre -
Modern estimates 4000 dead directly from the sulphur dioxide, low visibility heightened traffic collisions in London -
While the rest of the previous Labour government's social welfare state was intact, e.g. NHS -
Stop-go controls where UK government would raise/lower spending, taxes and wages in line with inflation. Stop-go economics had disrupted UK growth, 1952-59 saw drop in world trade shares and industrial efficiency lagged countries e.g. West Germany (78% compared to UK’s 27%). Early monetarism promoted by Thorneycroft which could've put stricter, definite reduction of inflation for good (albeit sacrificing unemployment) was rejected and he resigned in 1958
-
Britain had the 2nd biggest involvement behind the US with a contingent of ~90,000 troops. Britain kept to their commitment with NATO and the Gloucestershire Regiment became famous in a battle against bigger Chinese forces -
Churchill promised 300,000 new homes built a year and had exceeded this with Macmillan's help to 318,750. These homes had better plumbing and heating -
General consensus between Gaitskell (S chancellor and later leader) and Butler (Chancellor) - to keep a welfare state while somehow committing major military posts abroad and trying to be industrially competitive -
Meat is last off, rationing completely ends. Another step out of austerity, the Tories had done something Labour failed to do -
Complimented the full swing of teenager subculture in the 50's, much to the elderly's anger. By the 1960s Mark Abrams, a Labour social scientist found that half of a teen's income would be spent on cosmetics and entertainment -
1955: 4.5 million TV licenses, 116,000 new houses
1960: ~10 million TV licenses, 170,000 new houses
All the while when both at the start of the decade didn't even scrape the millions -
Churchill resigns from strokes and old health, Eden still held massive popularity as an anti-appeasing wartime Foreign Secretary and as part of the cabinet associated with the Tory affluence period, all before a drop after Suez -
Increased majority to 60 seats. Overpowering successes for Tory policy in extending the affluent society, Attlee resigns for Gaitskell to win the leadership
-
Measures to reduce air pollution in efforts towards using smokeless fuel, but was hopeless - a year later there was more smog (same time 4 years ago) -
Week-long invasion led/formed in secret conspiracies by the French and British (45,000 troops). Eisenhower denounces Eden by threatening to sell bonds of the pound (£) and block their IMF loan so Eden embarrassingly pulls out. Short term oil shortages and British foreign policy humiliated - Eden was formerly Foreign Secretary -
Flees to Jamaica due to 'poor health.' Suez really did damage his credibility in the Commons. Macmillan takes over as an already reputable 'Supermac' -
Semi-successful H-bomb tests of Grapple 1 in the Pacific under the 9 tests in Operation Grapple -
Macmillan told a Conservative rally. Effectively, under the Conservatives this slogan refers to Britain's age of affluence, of which Macmillan helped contribute -
110,000 to 200,000 immigrants in higher estimates settled in Britain from across the Commonwealth in 1957, would continue to rise and strain race relations -
300 white Teddy Boys engage on Black housing and fascist vandalism in Notting Hill and attack Majbritt Morrison calling her a 'black man's trollop' - Claudia Jones establishes the Notting Hill Carnival a year later in defiance, over decades becoming very popular -
Designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, it became a cultural icon like the tea bag, Princess Margaret got one as a present. But it had design flaws and exemplified a barely adequate manufacturing industry that meant Britons had to buy foreign -
Increasing majority to 100 seats. Gaitskell doesn't win his 1st GE amidst divisions in his own party and the regained popularity post-Suez under the very popular Macmillan
-
By the decade's start, only 15% of all doctors are women and 80% of commercial or secretarial work is done by women. Still encouraged to 'stay at home' -
In 6 years of export increase: Britain: +34%, compared to Germany/Japan: +125% -
Made by Macmillan in South Africa to highlight growing nationalist movements against British colonialist rule -
Britain is part of the Founding Seven - but soon realises the benefits of the EEC as a superior free trade/political union (who also made the EFTA adapt their laws to the EEC), Britain's failed attempts to join EEC in 1963/7 made it as if EFTA were 2nd best -
Balewa is prime minister, however some Igbo/Hausa and Fulani tensions exist over oil - he's eventually murdered in a coup that spills into a civil war in 1967 after the Igbo secede into Biafra -
This came around the time of a balance of payments crisis and Macmillan's 'Wind of Change' speech - p.s. this is why you see many politicians in the 50s and 60s with military service in their bio on Wiki -
Blue Streak cost near £300m before scrapping for the use of American Polaris missiles. Holy Loch submarine base was given up and British defence/Macmillan looked subordinate when it received Polaris missiles. CND will protest, sailing past in canoes -
'Enovid' made available to MARRIED women on the NHS by Enoch Powell of all people. 500,000 women use it by 1964, very successful -
Forced withdrawal due to their apartheid government policies and the Sharpeville massacre in which police killed ~90 black protestors -
In limiting the wave of Commonwealth immigration post-1948 British Nationality Act, 1962 saw restricting numbers based on a VOUCHER system. Rather than returning from temporary work in the UK, immigrant families just brought dependents over -
Removing 7 Cabinet members inc. Lloyd (Chancellor) in declining popularity and poor economic output - most of the Cabinet members were old and stuffy -
Satire running on the BBC for a year, very popular during the Profumo Affair and raking in tens of millions of viewers at peak -
In the midst of 'stop-go', Macmillan's fourth Chancellor initiated GO - slashed the purchase tax on cars and lowered borrowing rates. £260m in tax cuts, but then again, the 'stop' might come back
-
Profumo's (War Minister) affair with a younger Keeler and an Soviet attache was exposed. Macmillan initially took no action but encouraged Profumo to resign. Exposed the immorality of Establisment-led power and national security concerns -
Girls to be taught 'broad themes of homemaking.' Despite this demeaning attitude, the 60's saw women make 40% of total uni population. Women still expected to marry after university. However - the Robbins report weeks later suggested university admission be available to all based on 'attainment' given that only 4% of Brits went on to uni/higher education -
EEC was a superior economic alliance to the EFTA and it was protectionist (so any non EEC goods would be tariffed or denied entry). De Gaulle refused Britain's refusal of their Atlantic Alliance and refusal to give up Commonwealth trade e.g. NZ lamb imports. Big failure for Heath as chief negotiator -
Many thought Butler would be his successor. Home had little effect in his time in office, being seen too as an out-of-touch Establishment member compared to the Labour poster-boy Wilson -
Battling an £800m DEBT, the DEA was formed. Setting economic growth targets and attempts to agreements in wage restraints with civil servants and trade union leaders. It was later scrapped in 1967 after clashes in roles with Callaghan's treasury -
Groups emerging from the 50's Teddy boys era, the mods and rockers. One wore leather biker jackets and the other with Italian suits, clashing in riots e.g. Brighton beach -
Wilson refers to 'thirteen wasted years' of Conservative rule, alluding to possible technological advancements and a 'New Britain' -
Wins with a slight 13 seat majority over Conservatives (overall a 4 seat majority in Commons). Public are still unsure but want a fresh new start with his fresh 'white heat of technology' -
In regards to mixed-race marriages, a survey found that 90% objected to them -
Now the BT Tower, was introduced back then to boost telecommunication signals across the UK. It did well for Wilson's white heat of technology, facilitating the increase to 80% TV ownership -
Tony Crosland encouraged the expansion of comprehensive schools onto the LEAs. The 10/66 would allow funding to any new comprehensive schools. 33% of pupils were educated in comprehensives by 1970 -
Hangings brought into question after Ruth Ellis’ execution in 1955 (killed husband for adultery). Labour MP Sydney Silverman campaigned for the suspension of hangings for 4 years and the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act was resolved in 1969 -
Under his tenure, allowed for the permissive society to bloom with his role in liberalising laws - he allowed for more parliamentary time for the private members' bills on ALL the laws to be passed. This contributed to the 'permissive society' a pejorative of liberalism and used mostly by Mary Whitehouse and her 150,000 NVALA followers
-
Though he could only do this if white mintority rule was ended, but Smith unilaterally (without Britain's permission) declared them independent. Oil sanctions were useless considering access to neighbouring Mozambique's oil companies -
Called them Marxist extremists and saw that they only sought to 'exercise backstage pressures endangering the security of the industry and the economic welfare.' -
First colour televised election broadcast. Increasing majority to 98 seats at the height of Wilson's popularity after a slim majority 2 years ago
-
Over the creation of a Prices and Incomes Board (wage freezes and spending cuts), resigns from his Technology Ministry due to his TGWU background -
Major disruption with 'dead' ships in London, Liverpool and Southampton's ports - gov't give in with a 40-hour week and pay rises -
Winning 4-2 against West Germany and becoming the first and ONLY team in British history to do so -
82 women die in botched abortions between 1958-60 and 1962 thalidomide disaster prompted discussion from Liberal MP Steel. Act passed with abortions within first 28 weeks of pregnancy on the basis of 'mental suffering'. Following year saw 35,000 abortions -
Wolfenden Report on decriminalising homosexuality ignored and homosexuals could be imprisoned for up to 2 years. Labour MP backbencher Abse opened discussion. Act made it that homosexuality was decriminalised (but not legal), both parties over 2, in private and consenting. People were still uncomfortable with activities and some thought 'in private' meant not in same building -
After runs on the pound (£), it was now bought at $2.40 (14% drop) and Wilson had no choice but to devalue. This went back on earlier promises not to devalue from 1948 and his short-term economics were reminiscent of the stop-go by Macmillan. Wilson's 'pound in your pocket' speech tried to downplay the crisis, but though British exports would be cheaper, imports would be more expensive. Runs seemed to be weakening the £ and its British investment -
1966's strikes caused massive export disruption and trade deficit, so bad that Wilson approached the IMF twice, the 1st not enough to avoid devaluation and the 2nd in November at about £1.4 billion -
Military missions east of the Suez (Singapore, Aden, Malaysia) would be withdrawn amid growing economic crises and Healey's 16% cut in defence spending. They wanted to focus at home -
An extension of the earlier 1962 act, immigrants needed a father/grandfather born in the UK. Between 1962-68 net migration from the West Indies/South Asia was now at 267,000. Callaghan's worst work to counter the panic of the incoming Kenyan Indians fleeing persecution
-
LSE students sit in and eventually try to storm the US Embassy at Grosvenor Square in protest of US involvement in Vietnam. Despite not fully condemning the war (keeping US aid coming), he did distance any chance of British participation in Vietnam, stating 'we can't kick our creditors in the balls' -
Provocative speech that appealed to the white working-class and groups like the NF. Heath dismissed Powell from the Cabinet the next day but received a 75% sympathy rating in a Gallup poll, 43,000 letters of support, meat porter/dockers strike -
Ending censorship requirements for theatre productions to be approved by a Lord Chamberlain before showings. Hair was shown in London in a euphoric celebration of the lifted bans, people were nude -
Extending from the first ever act in 1965, seeking to outlaw discrimination in housing/employment. HOWEVER, discrimination was allowed on 'racial balancing' grounds. Despite the RR Board's stronger powers, they only upheld 10% of all complaints -
A white paper which proposed a 28-day cooling off period before strikes going ahead, with a ballot required to do so. Uproar from Callaghan and a cosnderable part of the party the TGWU's head, Jones forced Castle to retreat (she had union roots) -
For the first time, supersonic air travel. Doing well for Wilson's white heat of technology and cooperation between the French and British in engineering -
Championed by Leo Abse - initially requiring proof of adultery in the marriage - some husbands hired PIs to prove this. 'No fault' divorces could now happen under mutual separation for 2 years. Divorces increased fivefold between 1950-70 -
Hybrid models of uni learning through radio and TV for anyone of any background. There were 30 polytechnics by 1968 and 56 'full' unis by 1971 -
In response to the gang-up on Catholics by the B-Specials (Protestants had marched through and provoked their neighbourhood), 3 days of rioting in Derry's Bogside. Wilson responds by sending in peacekeeping troops 2 days later (Operation Banner). It also didn't help that O'Neill, the moderate NI PM had resigned for Paisley to come through -
Germaine Greer's book sold 1 million copies worldwide and rode along themes of sexual repression in a second wave of feminism -
Early allies with CND movement on its similar matters of devastating social/environmental effects of nuclear power (i.e. after 1979 Three-Mile island accident) and the founding of Greenpeace in 1971 permanently establishes an environmentalist movement into modern eras. Despite pledges to ban harmful CFCs by Thatcher, big nuclear scares remain with CND mums setting up peace camps at Greenham Common (they didn't leave till 2000). 1999 saw Greenpeace destroyed an artificial crop site in Norfolk
-
Barbara Castle introduces it, but it's a very vague law and women are only paid ~60% of men's wages in 1970 -
Powell factor (partially endorsing a Tory return), Labour's devaluation and Heath's boating prestige wins him a 30-seat majority. Still unable to curb growing trade union militancy that killed Wilson's government and rising record unemployment -
A reversal of Crosland's policy by the then-Minister for Education, Thatcher. Discouraging the comprehensive school system and letting LEAs decide for themselves -
Second wave feminism. Women's Liberation group throws stink bombs onstage at Miss World beauty paegant, in protest of the contest objectifying women -
A copy of Castle's earlier 'In Place of Strife', trade unions would have a namesake court, a cooling off period and would abolish the Prices and Income Board. This was also what helped start the 1972 NUM strike - so unpopular -
Selsdon Park conference introducing tax reform pledges and public spending cuts in a 'dash for growth.' Chancellor Barber introduces tax cuts to encourage investment and the reduction of 'lame duck industries'. In very reactionary measures, the U-Turn would reverse the free enterprise and rescue the lame-duck. Not very long-term
-
Along with Clydebank Shipbuilding, this was the opposite of reducing the number of 'lame duck industries' under this Barber boom -
While still Education Sec and after the 10/70, Thatcher's Education Act 1971 restricted free milk provisions -
Brought on by UUP Prime Minister Faulkner, 342 would be interred in the first months, 95% of which were Catholics. A measure brought in to reduce sectarian violence in neighbourhoods. You could just be suspected of violence and be interred -
An extension to the 1968 Commonwealth Immigration Act, but this time requiring immigrants to have a guaranteed job and a UK born grandparent
-
Mainly down to the NUM, the largest action since the general strikes of 1926
-
For the first time since the Great Depression in the 1930s -
480 people killed in scaled up bombings/shootings mainly by the IRA in Bloody Sunday's aftermath -
1973 saw Jenkins resign to join the EEC board over the shadow cabinet's 'no' agenda. Before the referendum you had those who opposed the capitalist club (left-wing) e.g. Castle, Foot, Benn and those who were pro-Europe e.g. Wilson and Jenkins
-
Biggest general strike since 1926, NUM didn't get 45% pay increase demands. At the Saltley coal depot, Scargill in his flying pickets led 15,000 to close the depot - other coal depots followed suit. Miners got a pay increase -
Historically significant in increasing anti-British/loyalist sentiment in NI. 20,000 attending a NICRA march against interment. These were 13 British civilians killed by their own army (some shot in the back as they ran), the Widgery Report doing none better claiming the Paras acted in 'self defence' -
In retaliation for Bloody Sunday. Nationalist support for the IRA continued to increase -
Willie Whitelaw rules from Westminster and Stormont is dissolved. Diplock courts can now have judges pass convictions alone -
Shopkeepers in East London arrested by allowing picketing to continue despite an injunction barring any at a container depot. TUC (union of unions) called a general strike in response, all were released -
Those interred would be given POW status - more visits, food and own clothing rights. Later removed under Labour in 1976 but it's not like they were being treated in any special, human way anyway (Guildford Four eherrm) -
Two-tiered system of counties/boroughs introduced (without public consultation) and the redrawing of county lines. The prideful Yorkshire was messed with, losing territory to Humberside and 10,000 campaigners in Berkshire signed a petition to extend their boundary to the White Horse chalk figure -
With CDG gone and Pompidou encouraging Britain to retry into the EEC. Heath the Europhile with some opposition to his application, e.g. Powell now in UUP encouraged voters to Labour in fears of Britain's economic sovereignty compromised. Though trade with Europe increased by 20%, ???????? -
Reflective of the UK? Originally X-rated for cinemas in 1971, after a copycat killing and because of its sexual nature drew hatred from the Daily Mail and through angry letters -
Britain's EEC trade did increase by 20% and workers have the ability to move in-between EEC member states. But the EEC was protectionist and now so was Britain (e.g. NZ lamb trade had tariffs). Along with the divides and eventual referendum, there were other problems with VAT and sovereignty: especially the Common Fisheries Policy restricting fishing rights/ boundaries. Given the UK was a non-founding member, they had less policy influence
-
Britain in part with EEC members refused to allow the US to use their bases in airlifting Israeli support, fearing the OPEC would raise prices and worsen Britain's economic crisis further. OPEC's oil barrels from 1973 now $2-$35. Heath had strained the Atlantic Alliance -
A power sharing executive, assembly elected on proportional representation and consultation from members of the ROI. Unsurprisingly, the most extreme parties (loyalist and republican) were unhappy with cooperating with the other. The DUP decided to stand anti-Sunningdale candidates - 11/12 constituencies would be anti -
Were tightened, e.g. those earning £4,500 would be taxed 40%. VAT on TVs rise from 8-25% and price increases on beer and cigarettes: ‘In 1949 a man with two children and a national average didn’t pay income tax, now a man on half the national average paid income tax’
-
A first use of the term during Chancellor Barber's 'boom'. Economy stagnates (GDP drops to -2.5%) with rising inflation (nearing 16% by Heath's GE loss) and unemployment - but also partly caused by the OPEC oil crisis -
Oil shortages and more NUM strikes caused a three-day-week. 50 mph speed limit and fuel coupons, as well as TV broadcasts stopped at 10:30pm. This was one of the last, main nails in the coffin for Heath's chances in the 1974 election -
Not you. Wilson returned to power in a minority government (short of 17 seats) and a hung parliament -
Keeping close ties with China, following in the footsteps of Ping-Pong diplomacy in 1971. NOTE: he isn't PM anymore, although he is a representative of Britain upholding good foreign policy in the 70s -
To try and win a solid majority. Conservatives lose 21 seats and Labour win a 3-seat majority with the help of Liberal MPs -
Made it illegal to discriminate against any gender in employment or education. A further Employment Protection Act prevented unfair work dismissal (e.g. if a woman was pregnant) -
In return for the 1971 Industrial Relations Act gone, a pact between the government and TUC members to negotiate wage settlements (wage restraint). IT WASN'T LEGALLY BINDING and it failed at curbing inflation with wage increases e.g. NUM receiving 24% -
(At least you still remained, everyone's happy) Wilson the political fixer decides to solve party divides despite a 'no' agenda with a free vote, Remain/Leave referendum. Heath thought this was an unnecessary political spin. 67% chose to remain -
MORE ACCURATE SOURCES estimate 24%!! Partly due to the earlier 1973 oil crisis and the lack of wage restraint, inflation was at a record 26.9% -
Maze Prison had now interred 2000 prisoners without trial. The Special Category status under Labour didn't apply to new inmates and at Maze, prisoners began to wear blankets instead of prison-issue uniform (~300 by 1978). They also protested by smearing poo on their walls -
Women could now hold restraining orders on violent partners. The first rape crisis centre is also set up in London -
In 1976 only 20 police officers were of a minority background out of a total 22,000 in the Met Police. More tensions between minorities and police, e.g. a violent Notting Hill Carnival with 300 injuries -
Citing ill health and tiresome public office duty. Good hopes for Callaghan who's had experience in his times in the 4 'Great Offices of State.' -
A COMING END TO CONSENSUS - Callaghan noted the need for better productivity without cutting taxes and better public spending. He noted this was the way to reduce inflation -
Of £2.3 billion on the condition of spending cuts. This was to help recover from the £3bn BOP deficit from Heath. Given that IMF loans were for third-world countries this was embarrassing. The pound would drop below $2 in exchange value -
Under the (failed) promise of devolution in Scotland and Wales, 12 Liberal MPs would form a pact to edge past the vote of no confidence in Callaghan -
Sex Pistols release a punk-like version of 'God Save the Queen' around her Silver Jubilee. BBC bans radio circulation but reaches #2 on UK charts -
Discovered in the crisis created by the OPEC sanctions - 9 oilfields up by 1978. During this time, Labour failed to call another general election to solidify their success in the moment -
Bulgarian defector is assassinated in London and Britain's tensions with the USSR are worsened -
TUC rejects 5% pay rise cap and the Social Contract falls, following a stream of settlements e.g. Ford workers at 15% and ESSENTIAL oil tankers at 14%. A public sector strike (ASLEF, ambulance drivers, bin collectors) leaves waste on streets, commute/ER delays that the CCU (army) is drafted to fill in. Labour wasn't facing the unions head on -
Trying to enforce contents of the 1970 Equal Pay Act. Some progress considering the start of the 1970’s saw women paid ~60% of men’s wages, only by 1977 had this risen to 70% -
This differed from Keynesian economics and 'stop-go.' Worried about inflation rather than unemployment - a bit of it is healthy for the economy. Low inflation and any unemployment is good because the price of goods goes down. It failed to consider raising indirect taxes to combat said inflation (on commodities like petrol), makes it harder for ordinary people to afford/live
-
A spin by The Sun newspaper misquoted the returning PM Callaghan from a conference in Guadalupe, he downplayed the Winter of Discontent and seemed out of touch -
Even the more essential lorry drivers had now demanded 40% (eventually settling for 20%). Gravediggers in Liverpool strike and unburied bodies were even considered sea burials in dire measures -
Callaghan ended up losing some nationalist support given the 40% 'yes' quota wasn't reached in Wales and Scotland. The Lib-Lab pact was already in tatters at this point as worsened by the Thorpe affair -
First woman PM in UK history. Had the Labour government called an election before the WOD or during the peak of North Sea oil discovery, they'd be much better off. Thatcher is PM for 11 out of the 18 years of Tory domination and receives a 5.2% swing -
'The lady's not for turning' - Thatcher allows Howe to raise VAT and prescription charges while slashing income tax and top-rate tax at 23-30%. Labour criticised their broken promises to double VAT in a press conference
-
The split within the Conservatives. Wets tended to be one-nation Conservatives who criticised Thatcher's monetarist policies and reduced public spending
-
Decreasing state control over individuals, this time in housing - by 1985, 800,000 bought their houses discounted and people (in Thatcher's eyes) would feel more in financial control BUT more houses were bought council houses built in replacement. Social housing fell by 20% in high-demand areas, London -
Small businesses can now borrow money, with the government covering 75% in securities
-
Based on an 1824 law allowing stop and search by an officer on suspicion of a crime. This however gave way to racial profiling and was removed after riots in Toxteth (Liverpool), Birmingham and Brixton -
Gang of Four (including Roy Jenkins) broke away, forming the SDP, inviting any dissatisfied Labour/Tory members. 28 Labour MPs defected here. An alliance with Liberals would gain them 22-23 seats in 1983/87 elections Labour's vote fell by 9.3% in the 1983 GE -
Overturns the decision to close 23 coal pits and provides £300m of financial assistance to industries to curb striking (this period saw major shifts to oil) -
The most significant so far. Windfall taxes on North Sea oil companies, increases in indirect (e.g. VAT) and personal taxation and public spending cuts. Clearest opposition to Keynesian economics -
Bobby Sands, member of the Provos and a standing republican MP died on hunger strike with 9 others after him. Thacther basically rebuked it: 'We are not prepared to consider special category status for certain groups of people serving sentences for crime' - the ballot box in one hand and Armalite in the other would become ubiquitous -
Thatcher's Employment Sec responding to claims the race riots were due to unemployment retorted 'He (my dad) didn't riot. He got on his bike and looked for work' - where are the jobs then? -
Staying at record highs for 5 years. Fagan who BE'd into Buckingham Palace raised this to the Queen in their convo (The Crown at least) -
A ten week engagement between British/Argentinian armed forces. Public perception was mixed, though generally supporting the idea of British sovereignty in the Falklands. Argentine forces surrendered at Stanley. Only 255 British servicemen killed -
Along with the 144 seat majority in the 1983 election, Thatcher's aggression helped re-assert British dominance as a viable naval power, where their image in the 1960s/70s e.g. the 'sick man' and the loss of their 'global policeman' were kinda reversed -
Supply-side economics which prioritises more tax cuts, less government intervention on enterprise. Which should increase labour supply (individuals should now want to work) - applied to deregulation of sectors in housing and finance and privatisation
-
Kaufman described Labour's manifesto for the GE, detailing largely irrelevant policies e.g. unilateral nuclear disarmament (are they stuck in the 60's?) and EU withdrawal -
Entryism within Labour, a Trotskyist party began to gain power in local party re-elections and in Liverpool, gaining 12 seats in local elections. Such revolutionaries wouldn't be banned until Kinnock's leadership -
Conservatives win a majority of 144 seats, partly spurred on by a Falklands victory. Interestingly, Labour would have bad losses with only 27% of seats and the SDP/Liberal alliance gaining 22 seats -
After the GE defeat, he began shifting to centrist policies and ditching the earlier manifesto in 1983 of out-of-touch unilateral nuclear disarmament and EEC withdrawal policies - he was too presidential and unable to defeat Thatcher in 3 successive terms -
Scargill refused a national ballot because of a lack of support (also from Neil Kinnock), that e.g. Nottingham miners refused to give up already fair wages. He was a staunch Marxist. Flying pickets were met by organised riot police with truncheons. Strike called in April where energy was less demanded and the country was switching to oil/gas
-
8000 police officers successfully control 5000 striking miners. Despite South Yorkshire Police having to pay compensation for police brutality - miners were defeated -
66% (£600-700m) was conceded to Thatcher through her handbag diplomacy at Fontainebleau -
All unions must hold secret ballots before agreeing and holding a strike - putting the nail in the coffin to prevent any future Scargill-like unannounced strikes -
Government sells 50.2% of BT's shares. £3.9b is raised from the public. Share offers were oversubscribed by 3.2x by November 28th -
Made by CND supporters the very graphic, scary film served as a warning to Britons over the dangers of a nuclear war -
An IRA time bomb kills 5 people, Thatcher is unhurt. Labour opposition and general public condemns the bombing -
Thatcher meets Gorbachev and likens to him for his pragmatism - even before his glasnost/perestroika policies in 1986 and becoming General Secretary -
Macmillan criticises Thatcher's privatisation for selling off nationalised assets for short-term gain - keeping it would've kept a steady flow of gov't surplus but as unrealistic given unproductive assets like coal. He was a One-Nation Conservative backing consensus (when it ended with Thatcher) -
Oxford University's governing body gave every PM alumni an honorary degree but she was snubbed because of university funding cuts, especially to the arts because of her emphasis on STEM -
NUM agree to work without concessions. Thatcher villified the union leaders as the 'enemy from within' in the Commons. Public opinion was increasingly divided by the North/South divide, 65% who supported police action. Divided over lack of understanding from those whose livelihoods didn't rely on coal. 20,000-100,000 jobs lost into 1990s -
Pop/prog rock headliners inc. Elton John, The Who, David Bowie and the standout performance by Queen. Big up Feltham -
200,000 loyalists protest this agreeement in Derry. Both UK and ROI act in intergovernmental cooperation, where the latter hoped for such on security matters and moderate nationalist support against parties e.g. Sinn Fein. Republicans angry at NI still part of UK, loyalists angry at ROI intervention -
Report by the Archbishop of Canterbury calling for government intervention in deprived inter-city communities that've suffered under Thatcher's monetarist policies. She retorts the report: 'there's nothing about self help' -
GLC leader Ken Livingstone (Labour) was an enemy to Thatcher who saw his education and transport policies in the light of the 'loony left' -
Worsened by the RTB and the ERM ~900,000 people were paying mortgages more than the house's value. Even worse given the (although momentarily) 15% high interest which stopped people buying houses/mortgages - low demand meant falling house prices
-
News International (owned by Murdoch) won against the 6000 striking printsetters by building a new plant in Wapping which computerised printing presses and 'scabs' which put off the union action -
Spread nuclear fallout over Europe and discussions over whether nuclear energy/nukes were appropriate given Greenham Common was storing US cruise missiles from 1983 -
New plant in Sunderland - edging out homegrown manufacturing for foreign companies. Leyland, only began to recover from 1970's disruption in build quality, producing the (albeit subpar) Austin Metro together with Austin. Both companies were absorbed into Rover Group -
Privatising British Gas pocketed £5.4bn for the Treasury from mainly first-time buyers. This popularity was mainly down to the 'tell Sid' campaign. Real prices of gas were rising though -
Deregulation meant easier computerised trading of newly privatised shares at the LSE and the Square Mile became home to yuppies of banks as stockbrokers, from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Increased income/corporate tax pooled in billions of £ in gov't revenue -
Thatcher remarks in a women's magazine. The Guardian prints on its front page. She defends this with comments on the public's over-reliance on government spending/social services -
It gave off an appearance of short-term economic miracles and put into practice Thatcher's 'popular capitalism' - the economy was overheated and what followed were two recessions between 1989-90. Overall GDP growth was higher than West Germany at 1.7%, but lagged behind Canada (2.2% to their 2.8%) and saw similar rates to 1970's stagflation
-
Company's profits increase by £250m and despite a job cut of 6.7% over the next 8 years, the company's wages continued to rise from 82% to 99% of the UK average -
Thatcher has a strong 102-seat majority with both the new Lib/SDP alliance (losing 1 seat since 1983) and Labour failing to gain ground given the strong Tory support from newspapers e.g. The Sun -
CCRU to bring about greater cooperation and understanding between Catholics and Protestants. More resources would be allocated -
Banning the promotion or teaching of homosexuality in LEAs and its mention in public office in a moral panic by Thatcher and would only be repealed nearly a decade and a bit later -
Toxic work culture and lack of safety accountability by Occidental led to two gas explosions at the PA, 167 died from the ensuing fire struggling to escape. Dangers of North Sea oil -
Deregulating schools, freeing themselves from the governance and budget allocations of LEAs - schools could focus on what THEY want to spend on. League tables based on exam results allow parents wider choice on schools -
Thatcher realises the close, long-standing relations between Britain and EEC but urged against a centralised European superstate -
Rushdie writes a book which seems to strain British/migrant relations when it appeals to Brits but not British Muslims. Rushdie was issued a fatwa by Iran's Ayatollah -
Finally privatised given red tape before the 1987 GE Ofwat would regulate/supervise water quality and regional authorities were created despite some later failures in sewage spills and monopolies over essentials -
Popular capitalism was less successful - 1st time buyers went to immediately sell shares ('STAGGING') and diverted Thatcher's expectations that they'd become stockbroker-style investors -
Wrongful convictions from 1974 Guildford pub bombings killing 5 civilians based on false evidence and coerced confessions - all overturned. An Oscar nominated 1993 movie was made on Conlon's experiences (lol I think this led to PEACE) -
Attempts to allow for more competitive schooling by establishing Ofsted in 1992, the Child Support Agency in 1993 which aimed to increase absent parents' financial contributions to children and the 1994 Public Order Act to break up MDMA filled raves/house parties
-
With UKIP's founding in 1993 and the increased inflow from Bosnian, Somali and Afghan migrants - such relations were strained. Especially after the EU expansion in 2004 into Eastern Europe made such a movement easier. Despite gratitude towards Filipino nurses, some developments in multiculturalism and integration into the 00s, the MORI opinion polls after 7/7 questioned this
-
20% of all over-18s refused to pay. Changed from taxing off of a property's value to each adult in said property. Stupidly meant an old age pensioner paid the same as a millionaire in the same council boundary. One-Nation Conservatives (wets) opposed this and the most violent rioting in near-history raged in Trafalgar Square. BIggest turning point in opinion against Thatcher -
£ matched the DM's exchange rates with little variation. If the £ dropped too low in exchange, the BofE would have to buy more £/raise interest rates driving up the £'s credibility. This German stability/econ discipline was also a condition for joining the EU (Maastricht Treaty) -
Was the attitude of Thatcher's 'No. No. No.' speech at the Commons towards integration with Europe through federal functions e.g. European Parliament -
From behind Thatcher and sitting next to recently resigned Lawson (who favoured the ERM unlike Thatcher who was advised to oppose), attacks Thatcher on her anti-EU stance: '...bats have been broken before the game by the team captain; and called for a collective response to 'tragic loyalties' -
Won over Heseltine but 4 votes short of a majority. A lack of support for a 2nd ballot by her own cabinet meant she stepped down. Succeeded by John Major, who was 'sick' with toothache and was unofficially planning his own leadership bid -
Wins the second ballot with a 15% majority, seen as Thatcher's natural successor (she rallied for his support), matching Hesseltine on promises to reverse poll-tax and his working-class Brixton upbringing -
In response to Saddam's invasion of Kuwait, UK contributes 53,000 troops - toppling the puppet regime in Kuwait in a UN coalition victory, despite Saddam still in power until 2006 -
October, including the same Nottinghamshire pits that refused (scabs) to strike with Scargill - betrayal -
Its directors put on trial for secret supply of weapon-making equipment to Iraq with the help of SIS -
Replacing Thatcher's poll tax in letting local councils decide tax bands on property valuation and tax collection in paying a Council Tax - still here today -
Major's optimistic soapbox 'Meet John Major' campaigning. Kinnock would step down in this defeat, but this would be the last Conservative majority (21 seats) until 2015, the party was on a decline - with a big bombshell in Black Wednesday -
Betty Boothroyd is made Speaker of the House -
His 1993 One member, one vote policy (OMOV) allowed for lesser trade union influence blocs on individual MP power -
Speculators sensed the £'s lack of security and on the 16th, George Soros and others profited ~£3 billion selling £ for the DM. Desperate, the BofE drove interest to 15% to seem attractive, but ultimately gave in and withdrew -
The £'s security wasn't worth sacrificing for the EU (high exchange/interest rates and current recession that drove businesses from taking out loans). More euro-sceptic Tory splits and a ~15 point trail behind Labour. Bright-siders called it 'White Wednesday' in newfound sovereignty (1996, £ = DM3). Lamont lost his job and Major was held mostly accountable -
Who was amidst tabloid pressure (and the later Tampongate), multiple divorces of her three children and the Windsor Castle fire. More to come w/ Diana's interview, overall anti-Establishment rhetoric -
Major gains an opt out from the Social Chapter (improved minimum worker's pay and rights) and from the € currency. But any treaty on defence, economic and citizenship integration was unpopular -
Or 'mad cow' disease which killed 170 people and 4.4 million cows killed in response. British beef banned from being sold overseas -
Child A and B were the youngest convicted murderers in recent British history -
Black A-Level student stabbed to death in Eltham in a racially motivated attack where 5 White boys who were arrested at the time were not convicted despite Lawrence's parents' and Daily Mail campaigns. 1999 report found the Met to be institutionally racist in handling the case -
Gang of Four and former FS Owen, with UN envoy Cyrus Vance would draft a long-term plan to divide Bosnia into semi-autonomous, ethnically representative regions, part of a Western effort which failed with the Srebrenica massacres in 1995 -
Rebel Tory MPs block the ratification of the treaty in Parliament, but when Major threatens a vote of no confidence (which would inevitably lead to a GE they wouldn't win in unpopularity at the time) - they back down. He calls them 'bastards' which is leaked to the Daily Mirror -
Announced at a Blackpool conference in response to the growing social liberalism and a need to revert back to traditional Conservative values. Fails with the incoming stories of Tory sleaze -
Killing 10 civilians - retribution killings of 8 by loyalists in the following week -
Reaffirming the Northern Irish's right to majority rule in deciding their own future with the UK or the ROI, with any change agreed on by both London and Dublin. The Provo IRA and the umbrella group repping the UVF/UDA declared ceasefires in 1994 -
Campbell labels the necessary, pragmatic change of policy in moving away from the traditional, socialist leaning and alienating politics that lost Labour elections between 1979-1992
-
From autoerotic asphyxiation in his home, further ruining the other Tory sleaze and scandal which hurt the 'Back to Basics' campaign -
Neil Hamilton lobbying on the behalf of Mohammed Al-Fayed (owner of Harrods until 2010) for money, embarrassingly losing a £10m libel case against The Guardian newspaper. He'd lose his seat in the 1997 GE -
Smith dies and succeeds with a majority - but an alleged deal took place where Blair would allow Brown his Chancellor position unopposed (very influential in New Labour's econ policy-making) if Brown wouldn't run against him in 1994 and if Blair becomes PM -
State-franchised after an act in 1993, 25% of the prize money went to charity -
Major steps down, still PM. 'Time to put up or shut up' - Redwood did, but lost to Major's sweeping majority somehow -
Failure by UN peacekeepers and delegators to stop the Serb forces committing more violence and the 8000 Bosnian men and boys from being murdered -
With Clinton and Major's help, Bosnia's war was ended with the division of powers among its ethnic population with international high court monitoring -
Though Bashir obtained permissions to interview her illegally, Diana claimed the Establishment, media pressure, 'three of us in the marriage' and lack of MH support destroyed her -
US Senator Mitchell addresses disarming paramilitaries in ground rules towards achieving properly peaceful democracy in NI -
Causing 2 deaths and hundreds of millions of £s worth of damage - IRA breaking their short-lived ceasefire post-Downing Street dec -
Campaign promises. After an initial 2-year spending freeze (Brown propping up income), continued deregulation and targets schools were to adhere to. Teachers' pay rises increased by 18% based on performance, reformation of National Curriculum and A-Level curriculums. Unpopular variable tuition fees introduced from 1998 which hurt aims of 50% of young people in higher education. Despite successes in NC test results +80%, some schools concerned about schools' existence on results
-
Record 418-seat majority. Portillo's unseating to Twigg in his Enfield constituency signified a completely unexpected win for Labour and an end to 18 years of Tory rule. 101 of 'Blair's Babes' inc. black MPs e.g. Oona King and the first blind Cabinet minister -
New technology and cheap mortgages on houses - banks (inc. BofE) and loan companies were often recklessly allowing such loans continuing deregulated actions. Britain's economy which was heavily reliant on these services - a near 10% of GDP would plummet by the crises in 2007-8. Brown taxed pensions further and would eventually lead to a redundant industry by 2007 with £8bn losses. He also borrowed heavily from foreign banks to finance many socioeconomic policies
-
Hardline Euroscepticism remained, more neutral, pro-Europeans like Clarke failed to get a look. The average age of Tory members was now ~60 and they lacked a wider voter attraction compared to NL. By Howard, this scepticism eased a bit and Cameron led a more modernising image in line with Blair's decline from 2003. Some compassionate conservatism under IDS boomed when Cameron became leader
-
Pay gaps still existed, women earning ~87% of men. Continued breakthroughs in workplace diversity - more female CEOs/executives among the FTSE 100 companies, with people like Karren Brady developing highly successful careers. Benefits were greater under the New Deal - increased weekly free childcare to 12.5 hours a week/weekly maternity pay to £100. Girls outperformed boys in attaining outstanding A-Level/GCSE results and were attending uni/schools more than men
-
Allowed to set own interest rates in line with Brown's inflation targets -
Despite the party's majority Eurosceptic feeling, Hague begins to oversee splits within his party over their image - those who wanted more liberal/modernisation in line with the current pragmatism (MODS) and the more hardline/socially conservative (ROCKERS) -
Fulfilling Thatcher's Sino-British declaration back in 1984, one of the few remaining overseas territories is given up with Blair and Prince Charles in attendance -
Britpop/Cool Britannia cultural movement swept Downing Street with popular celebrities and fashion designers like Oasis and Vivienne Westwood - great PR for New Labour -
Which saw a 90% public approval rating for Blair who made a eulogy to her calling her the 'People's Princess' - increasing his popularity during a period a anti-Establishment culture and in loss of someone trying to reconcile said Establishment and commoner -
Britain entered back into the Social Chapter (workers' rights standards) signalling Blair's pro-Europe stance against what Cook called the Tory's earlier Maastricht opt-out as 'not so splendid isolation' -
F1 boss Ecclestone donates £1m to Labour's GE campaign and despite Labour promises to end government scandal reputations and tobacco advertisements - F1 is somehow exempt from ad restrictions -
Amendments! (not creation) to unemployment benefit system created in 1996 - 2.5 million claimants into 2005, on the basis of strict evidence that they were indeed looking for work. Job Centre Plus would amalgamate in 2002 as a single service
-
Preliminary talks with Mowlam (NI SoS) and Adams in 1997 prevailed. Devolved unionist/nationalist assembly and self-determination, 400 prisoners released and PSNI replaces RUC. 70-90% majority supporting agreement from ROI/NI in the May referendums and Stormont housing the NI assembly. UUP Trimble helped get his party behind this but DUP Paisley refused to sign -
New hourly minimum wage of £4.85 which would fluctuate yearly by a pay commission. This became a widely accepted and permanent workplace practice
-
Devolution of powers from Sec of State to a Welsh Assembly. Senedd building opens in 2006 and granted more legislation powers -
Introducing ASBOs which could impose limits/curfews on individuals in preventing anti-social behaviour. Almost half of ASBO recipients were teens -
Real IRA kill 29 people and injured ~200, some fearing the Troubles weren't immediately over. However, from then it was more internal neighbourhood in-fighting than international terror -
Scottish parliament established from elections a year prior, allowing for their own raising of taxes and domestic policies - inc. allowing Scottish students free university tuition by 2000. Holyrood's construction would finish in 2004 -
Blair declares a necessary 'moral crusade' against ethnic cleansing and joins the NATO bombing campaign against the Yugoslav army until June where Milosevic is forced out - gains reputability among Albanians who'd name their children 'Toni Bler' or 'Bler' -
Declaring a position of anti-appeasement and liberal interventionism in a speech in Chicago. Blair conceded to using diplomacy, but recommended that any necessary force can be used for states to comply with the UN -
Lowest sale price of British Gold during 20-year lows between 1999-2002. Later losses in profit total to £3 billion -
Removing automatic right of hereditary peers, allowing for modernising, representative and professional proceedings - though 92 would remain to have the bill passed -
Achieved targets from 1997: no major income tax increases and controlling mortgage/inflation rates, cutting youth unemployment and fast-track youth punishment, reducing NHS waiting lists by 100,000 -
'Red Ken' ran as an independent candidate and won the 2000 London mayoral elections, being accepted back into Labour despite his 'loony left' image threatening New Labour -
He turned a conference very political talking about NHS reform and wages, the audience slow claps him during his speech -
Minimal casualties in killing West Side Boyz captors and restoring British credibility in their wider mission to stop rebel takeovers of their government -
Culling of 10 million cattle, affecting countryside tourist industry which was effectively closed off -
Followed patterns in Burnley and Bradford, clashes between White British and Pakistani teens -
Labour losing 6 seats overall and Conservatives gaining a single seat, all while having the lowest voter turnout since 1918. Heath and Major (still here?) departed their seats after long stints in opposition -
Blair states Britain will 'stand shoulder to shoulder' with the US and joins the start of the GWOT. A month later on Oct 7th, they join the US invasion in contributing ~1,200 troops and eventually 8000 are in Helmand on combat operations -
Bore little charisma compared to Blair, continued Euroscepticism and opposed social liberalism e.g. Section 28's repeal. He also supported the Iraq invasion, so was in Blair's bandwagon. Did help with compassionate conservatism (welfare for families) after visiting an estate in Glasgow -
Grand opening of a mega hospital as part of NL's tripled health expenditure to £90bn. However, controversies arose around Brown's use of PFI in funding NUH's construction in creating long-term national debt -
Becomes first ever BAME Cabinet Minister after making history with Diane Abbott back in 1987 becoming the first Black MPs in Parliament -
Cooked up by the Joint Intelligence Committee (MI5), Blair showed this dossier to the Commons claiming that Saddam had WMDs that can activate in 45 minutes, as a justification for the intervention in Iraq -
~1 million protesters took to London streets, the largest public protest in UK history. Despite the mass public objection, the invasion went ahead anyway -
Britain contributes 46,000 in the largest single deployment since the Falklands and 180 servicemen are killed, along with near 700,000 Iraqi civilian deaths under Blair. Not to mention no WMD or chemical weapons were ever found even when Saddam was executed in 2006 -
Over things e.g. the €'s flexibility, impact on jobs and opportunity for investment - by 2003, € adoption was ruled out when only 1/5 tests had been met. Some strain between Blair and Brown given Blair's enthusiasm -
While working for the MoD, he'd claimed to a BBC journalist that the 45-minute claims were trumped up by Campbell's spin. Despite not being directly involved in Kelly's death, it brought questions over the legality/morality of the WMD reason in invading -
Now the 3rd leader in 6 years, Howard did unite the party better with support from the Mods and Rockers. He was however, still 'something of the night' from 1997 with his vampire like persona and an election focus on immigration which was irrelevant -
On average 100-300 Iraqis died everyday from car bombings and other attacks caused by the power vacuum in the post-2003 Shia and Sunni conflict. UK public opinion soured greatly and Blair's intervention in Iraq remains one of his greatest political failures
-
George Galloway leaves Labour to form the party based on Respect, Equality, Socialism, Peace, Environmentalism, Community and Trade Unionism -
Ending a near-century long partnership due to RMT's affiliations with left-wing socialist parties. Unions were already losing their shine on Labour after OMOV and the abolishment of Clause IV, shifts to more white-collar public sector jobs -
Amendments in protecting women against domestic violence through increased funding for its related services -
Despite two protestors invading the Commons on its final reading - extensive bans on mammal hunting (i.e. foxes) with exemptions on pest control introduced. Labour would be accused of its more 'urban' approach having disregarded the Countryside Alliance -
Recognising same-sex civil partnerships, having extended on earlier 2002 legislation to make same-sex adoption legal - Cameron would make said marriages legal in 2013 -
Pledges to increase British exports to China on his visit to Beijing; Germany exported more as its 4th largest trading partner - important, given their 8% GDP growth rates and booming manufacturing industry on entry into the WTO in 2001 -
Reports finding that 2001's indefinite detention (basically interment) of foreign nationals in Belmarsh was incompatible with the ECHR. Repealed and replaced by house arrest and internet gagging orders -
Lowest percentage of popular vote (~35%) and voter turnout since 1918 - flimsy public support given the unpopularity of the Iraq War. Blair somehow becomes the first Labour leader with 3 consecutive terms -
Killing 52 commuters in total, on Underground trains and a bus. This was shocking given all 4 bombers were British citizens, including the leader Khan - who was a community leader in Yorkshire, radicalised by Islamist extremism. Spawned debates over relations with ethnic minorities in the UK -
Racially profiled as a terrorist in Stockwell station due to comms errors that he was affiliated with the earlier failed 21/7 bombings and that he jumped the barriers -
Relatively tame, similar views between the general public and Muslims about pro-multiculturalism and British sports pride, however there was a more general feeling that anyone encouraging terrorism should be deported -
Massive centrist shift in party outlook, striking New Labour in its declining health - he appeared more tolerant and inclusive by favouring gay rights and promising to maintain NHS and social spending -
Blair agrees to give up 20% of rebate and contribute more to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in government subsidies to farmers - reduced rebate to help ease fund into EU expansion, despite his strong positions that Britain should/will receive a rebate and was benefitting less from CAP -
Criminalising stirring up religious hatred - one aspect of criminalising insulting language and its incursions into writers' freedom of speech faced criticisms by comedians like Stephen Fry and Rowan Atkinson -
By its eventual repeal in 2011 costs amassed £250m - argued that it would fight terrorism and was recognised as a valid travel document in the EU -
Restored NI assembly with the DUP, who'd refused NI assembly participation in 1998 would participate with Sinn Fein. New NI executive electing a First Minister and Deputy separately (didn't have to be of same party, Paisley and McGuiness elected respectively) -
Brown finally got his end of the deal fulfilled and ran unopposed to succeed as PM. This would really end in 2010 with Ed Miliband replacing Brown as leader -
British troops begin to withdraw and the army's longest continuous engagement in modern history is resolved?
Plan projects on a visual timeline
Map milestones, phases, deadlines, and key events in one place so the sequence is easier to see and share. Timetoast is a timeline maker for work, school, research, and stories.