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A hit at the Ideal Home Exhibition and part of the arrival of labour-saving devices, of which would inadvertently encourage women home -
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.
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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 nuclear secrets -
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!?)
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One of the many symbols of consumerism - convenience foods and the invention of the tea bag. This becomes a cultural icon for the British -
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%)
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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
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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 -
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 -
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)
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Week long invasion led formed from secret conspiracies by the French and British. US denounced Eden and threatened to sell bonds of the pound (£), block their IMF loan so Eden pulled out in embarassment. Short term oil shortages and British foreign policy humiliated - Eden was formerly Foreign Secretary -
210,000 settled in Britain from across the Commonwealth in 1957....... -
Effectively, under the Conservatives this slogan refers to Britain's age of affluence, of which Macmillan helped contribute
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Due to 'poor health', flees to Jamaica. Suez really did damage him - the Commons didn't know about the invasion and he lost crediblity -
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 -
This came around the time of a balance of payments crisis and Macmillan's 'Wind of Change' speech
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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 -
Blue Streak cost near £300m before scrapping for the use of American Polaris missiles. The submarine base was given up and British defence looked subordinate. CND will protest -
'Enovid' made available to MARRIED women on the NHS by Enoch Powell of all people. 500,000 women use it by 1964, very successful -
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 -
In the midst of 'stop-go', Macmillan's fourth Chancellor slashed the purchase tax on cars and lowered borrowing rates. £260m in tax cuts, but then again, the 'stop' might come back
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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 -
Along with recommending that anyone who wanted higher education with the qualifications (regardless of social circumstances) should go. A worrying report found that in 1961 only 4% of Brits went to uni/higher education
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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 -
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 -
The DEA was formed in 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'
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Inherits an £800 million debt and aiming to undo the Conservatives' 'thirteen wasted years' of short-term economic policy was gonna be difficult
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In regards to mixed-race marriages, a survey found that 90% objected to them
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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 -
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 acts on e.g. Abortion and Sexual Relations to be passed
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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'
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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 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 -
Wilson saw the £ as a sign of Britain's economic strength and was there in the 1948 devaluation under Attlee. The lack of confidence in the £ after devaluation effectively played into short-term controls and discourages trade which Britain's long-term growth already lacked. It makes him hypocritical
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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
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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 -
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 -
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, he did distance any chance of British participation in Vietnam. This continued American economic aid -
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 -
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)
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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 -
Initially needed proof of adultery in the marriage - some husbands hired PIs to prove this. 'No fault' divorces could now happen had both parties been separated for 2 years (one party for 5). 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, 3 days of rioting in Derry's Bogside neighourhood. Wilson responds by sending in peacekeeping troops 2 days later (Operation Banner, UK's longest military operation) -
Germaine Greer's book sold 1 million copies worldwide and rode along themes of sexual repression in a second wave of feminism -
Second wave feminism. Women's Liberation group throws stink bombs onstage at Miss World beauty paegant, in protest of the contest objectifying women -
Barbara Castle introduced it, but it's a very vague law and women are only paid ~60% of men's wages in 1970 -
A reversal of Crosland's policy by the then-Minister for Education, Thatcher. Discouraging the comprehensive school system and letting LEAs decide for themselves -
1 million unemployed by January 1972 and dealing with the growing union power of which would really break Britain into a grinding halt
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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 -
The opposite of reducing the number of 'lame duck industries' under this Barber boom -
An extension to the 1968 Commonwealth Immigration Act, but this time requiring immigrants to have a guaranteed job and a UK born grandparent
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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
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While still Education Sec and after the 10/70, the 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 -
Mainly down to the NUM, the largest action since the general strikes of 1926
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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 -
Those interred would be given POW status - more visits, food and own clothing rights -
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 -
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
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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. A three-day-week followed from energy shortages AND the 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. 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
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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 The EEC was protectionist and the Commonwealth trade problem came up again (e.g. NZ lamb trade). Along with the divides and eventual referendum, there were other problems with sovereignty:
Common Fisheries Policy: restricting fishing rights to 12 nautical miles and VAT Also, the UK passed up the opportunity to be a member state and therefore couldn't change laws -
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 and caused another three day week -
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’
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A first use of the term during Barber's 'boom'. Economy stagnates (GDP drops to -2.5%) with rising inflation (nearing 10% in 1973) and unemployment - but also partly caused by the OPEC oil crisis
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Oil shortages and 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 -
Inherits a £3 billion balance of payments deficit and 15% inflation. Though he couldn't do a whole lot and resigned due to political pressures and bad health
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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 -
Last chance for Labour to bolster their reputation - failed miserably with the WOD and rising inflation (14%) /unemployment (1.4 million). A vote of no confidence on 28th March sealed Tory majority for another 18 years. Despite the Lib-Lab pact, they only had a slim majority
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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. Given that IMF loans were for third-world countries this was embarrassing. The pound would drop below $2 in exchange value -
Under the promise of devolution in Scotland and Wales, 12 Liberal MPs would form a pact to edge past the vote of no confidence in Callaghan -
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% -
Privatisation and deregulation didn't mean prosperity for all. Her first term saw tax controls (look at Howe's budgets) that meant growth suffered, but inflation was still steadily dropping - at ~5% for the first new lows since the 70's
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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. What it fails to consider is that raising indirect taxes to combat said inflation (on commodities like petrol), makes it harder for ordinary people to afford/live
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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 -
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 -
VAT rise on luxury items and other good at 15% single rates, slash income tax 33-30%. Top rate reduced from 83-60%. Labour criticised it: they betrayed a press release calling the doubling of VAT 'unfounded'
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The split within the Conservatives. Wets tended to be one-nation Conservatives who criticised Thatcher's monetarist policies and reduced public spending
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Prescription charge increases and broad reduction in public spending, but somehow more resources to be available for police
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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%??
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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) and Brixton -
Overturns the decision to close 23 coal pits and provides £300m of financial assistance 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' -
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
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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 -
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) -
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
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Gang of Four (including Roy Jenkins) broke away, forming the SDP. 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 -
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. Unable to dethrone Thatcher who'd built 100/144 seat majorities over two elections
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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
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8000 police officers successfully control 5000 striking miners. Despite South Yorkshire Police having to pay compensation for police brutality - miners were defeated -
All unions must hold secret ballots before agreeing and holding a strike - Scargill ignored this
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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 -
An IRA time bomb kills 5 people, Thatcher is unhurt. Labour opposition and general public condemns the bombing -
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. Divided over lack of understanding from those whose livelihoods didn't rely on coal. 20,000-100,000 jobs lost into 1990s -
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 -
GLC leader Ken Livingstone (Labour) was an enemy to Thatcher who saw 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
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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 -
New plant in Sunderland - edging out homegrown manufacturing for foreign companies. Leyland, with declining car quality of their own couldn't compete and was absorbed into Rover. Austin was discontinued in 1986 -
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 computerised trading at the LSE and the Square Mile became home to yuppies of banks as stockbrokers, from different socioeconomic backgrounds -
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
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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 -
CCRU to bring about greater cooperation and understanding between Catholics and Protestants. More resources would be allocated -
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 -
Changed from taxing off of a property's value. Stupidly meant an old age pensioner paid the same as a millionaire in the same council boundary and every adult (instead of one household) had to pay. One-Nation Conservatives (wets) opposed this -
£ matched the DM's interest rates and exchange rates with little variation. If the £ dropped too low, the BofE would have to buy more £ driving up its 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 55,000 troops - toppling the puppet regime in Kuwait in a coalition victory -
October, including the same Nottinghamshire pits that refused (scabs) to strike with Scargill - betrayal -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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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 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 -
Straw that broke the camel's back. Portillo's unseating (loss) to Twigg in his Enfield constituency signified a completely unexpected win for Labour and an end to 18 years of Tory rule -
... meant a 90% public approval rating for Blair who made a eulogy to her calling her the 'People's Princess' -
He turned a conference very political talking about NHS reform and wages, the audience slow claps him during his speech -
Cooked up by the Joint Intelligence Committee, 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 -
Killing 52 commuters in total, on Underground trains and a bus. This was shocking given all 4 bombers were British citizens and it spawned debates over relations with ethnic minorities in the UK -
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This would really end in 2010 with Ed Miliband replacing Brown as leader