General elections -1979,1983,1987

1979 election results

Conservatives 43.9% of the votes

Labour 36.9% of votes

Liberal 13.8% of votes

Why did thatcher win the 1979 election

-Voters were punishing Labour for its perceived failure to deal wit inflation ,unemployment and “The winter of discontent”

-Previous decades had created an enlarged middle class who felt increasingly resentful about strikes and trade union power → Piling rubbish during 1979 seemed symbolic of a decline in standards

Why did thatcher win the 1979 election

Labour / Liberal Weaknesses

-Liberals held on to most of their seats in their stronghold ,their total vote dropped by over 1 Million because some voters blamed them for keeping Callaghan’s government in office since 1977

-Labour succeeded in retaining its traditional support of industrial areas of the north Scotland and Wales where it won twice as many seats as the conservatives

-the fall of the liberal party meant that some voters were going to the conservatives

1983 Election results

Conservatives 42.4% of votes

Labour 27.6% of votes

Liberal 13.7% of votes

why did thatcher win 1983 election

-Despite the rise in unemployment and economic problems had reduced the popularity of the conservatives was still high

-The victory of the Falklands war 1982 was a sign of Britain’s greater confidence and unity —> Increased thatcher’s popularity

Why did thatcher win 1983 election

Labour weaknesses

-Labour party was split

-Michael Foot as leader in November 1980 → he lacked assurance manner on tv and had beliefs in unilateral nuclear disarmament

-Foot wanted Further nationalisation of industry and government regulations —> He seemed old fashioned

-The moderate elements of the party split away to form SDP in March 1981 —> Massively damaging labour

-Labours manifesto described as “Longest suicide note in history”

-SDP and Liberals formed an alliance and succeeded to split the anti thatcher vote.

1987 Election results

Conservatives 43.4% of votes

Labour 31.7% of votes

Liberal 12.9% of votes

Why did thatcher win 1987 election

-When the election was called Tories were ahead in opinion polls

-Government policies of selling council houses and shares in private industries appealed to the middle class and skilled working class

-Thatcher seemed stronger compared to labour , she had firm control over her colleagues and a strong international reputation

-Unemployment was falling and the Pound was stronger

Why did Thatcher win the 1987 election

Labour weaknesses

-Benefitting from labours split

-Kinnock criticised left wingers→ Bringing labour more centre

-Labour polled 1.5 million more votes and gained 20 more seats →However Kinnocks style had limited appeal to voters

-Kinnock often had long winded speeches