OCR Specification focus:
‘Fall of Thatcher and replacement with Major; Conservative divisions under Major and electoral defeat 1997.’
The fall of Margaret Thatcher, the divisions that plagued John Major’s premiership, and the landslide 1997 Conservative defeat together marked a transformative period in late 20th-century British politics.
Fall of Margaret Thatcher, 1990
Background and Long-Term Tensions
By the late 1980s, Margaret Thatcher’s dominance within the Conservative Party began to fracture. Although she had led the party to three election victories, her leadership style and policies provoked mounting resistance. Key factors included:
Deep unpopularity of the Community Charge (Poll Tax), introduced in 1990, which sparked widespread protests and riots.
Her increasingly Eurosceptic stance, opposing closer European integration at a time when many senior Conservatives sought compromise.
Fatigue with her authoritarian style of leadership, often described as “presidential,” which alienated colleagues.
Leadership Challenge
The breaking point came in November 1990 when Michael Heseltine mounted a leadership challenge. Although Thatcher won the first ballot, she failed to secure a sufficient majority to silence critics. After consultation, she resigned, convinced she could not unite the party.
Poll Tax (Community Charge): A flat-rate local tax on individuals rather than property, introduced in 1990, replacing the rates system, and widely opposed as unfair.
Her resignation was both dramatic and symbolic, signalling the end of an era of New Right dominance under Thatcher and the beginning of a new Conservative struggle for unity.
John Major’s Premiership, 1990–1997
Early Success
John Major succeeded Thatcher in 1990, initially restoring calm and offering a more conciliatory style. His premiership began with notable advantages:
He swiftly replaced the Poll Tax with the Council Tax.
He achieved electoral success in 1992, winning an unexpected fourth consecutive Conservative term.
His personal image as a more modest, less divisive figure appealed to voters after years of Thatcherite conflict.
Economic Challenges
However, Major’s tenure was soon overshadowed by economic turmoil.
The ERM (Exchange Rate Mechanism) crisis culminated in Black Wednesday (16 September 1992), when Britain was forced to withdraw from the ERM.
This severely damaged the party’s reputation for economic competence.
Prolonged recession, high unemployment, and rising public debt further weakened support.
Black Wednesday: The 16 September 1992 crisis when Britain was forced to exit the ERM after failing to maintain sterling within agreed limits, causing financial turmoil and political humiliation.
Party Divisions
A defining feature of Major’s premiership was Conservative Party disunity.
Europe was the most divisive issue, with fierce disputes over the Maastricht Treaty (1992).
Foreign and finance ministers of the Twelve sign the Treaty on European Union at Maastricht. The image situates the constitutional significance that intensified Conservative splits over Europe. It includes ceremonial details not required by the syllabus but clarifies the treaty’s formal context. Source
Major described his rebellious MPs as “the bastards,” highlighting his personal frustration.
The party fractured between pro-European moderates and Eurosceptic Thatcherites, damaging discipline and credibility.
Additionally, numerous “sleaze” scandals (both financial and sexual) eroded public trust, painting the party as corrupt and morally bankrupt.
Conservative Decline and Labour Revival
Image of Division
The Conservatives increasingly appeared out of touch and divided, particularly as Labour modernised under Tony Blair’s New Labour project. Blair rebranded Labour as a centrist, professional movement, appealing to middle-class voters and eroding the Conservative advantage.
Electoral Weakness
Despite efforts to maintain unity, Major lacked control over his fractious party. The Conservative reputation for “sleaze and incompetence” became entrenched by the mid-1990s:
Cabinet resignations and corruption scandals undermined authority.
Continuous rebellion over Europe crippled legislative momentum.
Public services suffered from underfunding, fuelling discontent.
1997 Election Defeat
By 1997, the Conservatives faced a resurgent Labour Party offering optimism and modernisation. The general election of 1 May 1997 delivered a crushing verdict:
Constituency-level results of the 1997 UK general election, with party colours indicating winners. The dense field of red seats demonstrates Labour’s nationwide reach and the severity of Conservative losses. As a constituency map it offers more granularity than the syllabus requires but directly supports the point about the landslide defeat. Source
Labour under Blair won 418 seats with a majority of 179.
The Conservatives collapsed to just 165 seats, their worst defeat since 1906.
Major himself famously commented he could not persuade his colleagues to “stop committing suicide.”
Key Themes and Significance
Factors in the Fall of Thatcher
Poll Tax backlash and popular unrest.
Leadership fatigue and authoritarian reputation.
Growing conflict over Europe within the party.
Major’s Struggles
Economic humiliation of Black Wednesday.
Inability to manage party divisions over Europe.
Association with sleaze scandals, weakening public confidence.
1997 Defeat
Labour’s reinvention as New Labour, appealing across class divides.
Conservatives’ image of disunity and incompetence.
Shift in British politics towards centrist consensus under Blair.
The fall of Thatcher, Conservative divisions under Major, and the 1997 election defeat marked the end of an 18-year Conservative era, reshaping Britain’s political landscape.
FAQ
Michael Heseltine, a prominent Conservative politician, challenged Thatcher for the party leadership in 1990. His leadership bid capitalised on discontent over her style and policies, particularly the Poll Tax.
Although he did not ultimately succeed, his challenge exposed divisions in the party and forced a second ballot. Faced with insufficient support, Thatcher resigned, opening the way for John Major to step in.
Major’s style was deliberately more consensual and less confrontational. Unlike Thatcher’s centralised and forceful decision-making, he sought to work collaboratively with ministers and present a less domineering public image.
However, this softer approach often came across as indecisive, particularly during internal disputes over Europe. While intended to unify, it left him vulnerable to rebellion from both wings of his party.
The immediate effect was economic instability, but the longer-term damage was political. It shattered the Conservatives’ long-held reputation for economic competence.
Voters associated the event with poor judgement.
The party struggled to recover credibility even during later periods of growth.
Labour capitalised by positioning itself as a modern, economically responsible alternative.
“Sleaze” referred to a series of scandals in the 1990s involving Conservative MPs and ministers. These included both financial misconduct and personal scandals.
The term became shorthand for corruption, hypocrisy, and moral decline. Combined with economic troubles, it gave the impression of a government that had run out of authority and integrity.
Blair rebranded Labour as “New Labour,” distancing it from traditional left-wing positions. Key reforms included acceptance of free markets and a strong emphasis on modern image and communication.
This repositioning made Labour appear safe to middle-class voters who might once have feared radical policies. As a result, the Conservatives’ weaknesses were amplified by the existence of a highly electable alternative.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
In which year did Margaret Thatcher resign as Prime Minister, and who replaced her?
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for identifying the correct year: 1990.
1 mark for naming her successor: John Major.
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain two reasons why the Conservative Party suffered a heavy defeat in the 1997 general election.
Mark Scheme:
Up to 3 marks for each explained reason.
Award 1 mark for identification of a valid reason, and up to 2 additional marks for explanation/development.
Possible valid reasons include:Sleaze scandals: Identifying numerous financial and sexual scandals; explanation that these undermined public trust and damaged the Conservatives’ reputation for moral and political integrity.
Divisions over Europe: Identification of persistent splits over the Maastricht Treaty and EU policy; explanation that this created the image of a weak, divided government.
Economic competence questioned: Identification of Black Wednesday and ERM withdrawal; explanation that this destroyed the Conservative Party’s reputation for sound economic management.
Labour modernisation: Identification of Blair’s New Labour reforms; explanation that these broadened Labour’s appeal and made the Conservatives appear out of touch.
Maximum: 6 marks.
