Thatcher and Major: UK Politics 1980s-1990s

She was a grocer's daughter from a middle-class background who attended a state school and received a grant to study at Oxford.This contrasted with many Conservative leaders.

She was a right-wing politician who favored free-market policies, emphasizing individual responsibility and minimal state intervention in the economy.

Her leadership style was authoritarian, contrasting with the positions of previous Conservative leaders, who had more social concerns.

John Major was less authoritarian than Thatcher. He continued similar policies to Thatcher's.

A referendum on devolution (transferring power to regional governments) in Scotland and Wales was held however devolution did not materialize.

The Conservatives opposed devolution during their term in office because they were the unionist party who defended the union.

A period of labor unrest and social tensions preceding the 1979 referendum that occurred in the winter.

The Conservative's free-market policies were disliked in Scotland and Wales because people believed the state should interfere to redistribute money.

An important agreement signed in 1985 between the British government and the Republic of Ireland, aiming for cooperation on legal matters and security issues in Northern Ireland.

The political goal of uniting Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland, a process that requires the consent of the majority in Northern Ireland.

Margaret Thatcher's policies, strongly influenced by free-market economics, aimed at tackling Britain's economic difficulties and implementing new reforms.

Actions by some Irish Republican Army (IRA) leaders who were imprisoned, protesting their perceived treatment as political prisoners. Some chose hunger strikes to protest.

A hardline Irish political party involved in peace negotiations during the 1990s.

A protracted period of violence and political unrest in Northern Ireland, involving different groups with opposing views of the region's future.

Talks initiated by John Major, a British Prime Minister, that involved all key parties, including Sinn Fein, to reach a peace agreement for Northern Ireland, focused on issue of weapons and a ceasefire.

An economic alliance that included both Britain and the Republic of Ireland, facilitating easier negotiations between the two.

To reduce inflation through monetary policy, leading to increased interest rates and higher unemployment.

The selling off of state-owned companies, starting with profitable ones and gradually expanding to less successful industries.

Job losses in privatized companies due to competition and profit pressures despite worker shareholder status.

The controversial sale of essential services like water and electricity after popular privatizations of profitable corporations.

Splitting British Rail into multiple companies, leading to initial complications and crises in management and operation.

Labour's commitment to nationalizing industries. They abandoned this promise.

Removal of many regulations on businesses, particularly in the financial sector, in the City of London.

Thatcher's policies caused Labour to abandon its old policy, 'Clause 4', that committed to nationalizing industries.

EEC membership led to increased foreign direct investment in the UK, particularly in car manufacturing. British GDP approached and later exceeded the European average. Regional policies helped declining northern British industries.

Agreement for free trade in goods, services, capital, and people within the EEC. No more customs duties or protectionist regulations on trade (except agriculture).

Thatcher supported the single market, hoping privatized British companies would thrive in the new competition (vs. state-owned European companies).

European Commission introduced social regulations to protect workers' rights and potentially offset negative impacts of the single market.

Thatcher's 1988 speech opposed the social regulations, arguing for deregulation and defending British economic policies.

A feeling of doubt and skepticism about the European Union or the EEC.

By 1990, most UK citizens owned their homes. The government primarily focused on the poorest, with less intervention than before.

Conservative governments faced limits on benefit cuts due to public appreciation of the Welfare State and the surge of unemployment (early 80s).

Conservative governments changed the criteria and definition of unemployment benefits to limit those eligible, especially in the 1980s.

Under Major, stricter conditions for unemployment benefits were implemented, including requiring the long-term unemployed to accept any job after two years.

Social policies implemented by Conservative governments fueled discontent in Scotland and Wales due to their public services and the perceived betrayal of the 1707 Union Treaty (especially education).

Scots mostly relied on public authorities to provide services like health, housing, and education.

Only two Scottish state schools opted out of local authority control under Conservative governments, and Council house purchase rates were lower in Scotland than England.

Britain's contribution to the European Economic Community (EEC) budget was disproportionately high relative to benefits received; particularly regarding agricultural subsidies.

Thatcher's campaign for a rebate, justified by disparities in contribution to and from the EEC budget, resulted in a permanent contribution reduction, covering roughly two-thirds of the difference.

Approximately half of British trade occurred within the EEC/EU, emphasizing its importance for the British economy.

A system in the EEC where some currencies had a limited fluctuation rate.

Thatcher initially refused to join the ERM to avoid impacting Britain's economic policies.

Forced to join the ERM with 6% flexibility, leading to her increasing euroscepticism and contributing to the Conservative Party leader change.

A major treaty involving social regulations, a new single currency (Euro), and "opt-outs" and "opt-ins" for member countries.

Britain negotiated exemptions regarding the social chapter and the decision to participate in the Euro, later to be decided by Britain.

Britain's inability to maintain the Pound within 6% fluctuation resulted in withdrawal from the mechanism.

The approval process of the Maastricht Treaty in the British Parliament, which faced division among Conservative MPs.

A political party formed in the 1990s as a response to the Maastricht Treaty and European integration.

Labour politicians' attitudes towards the EEC shifted to support European integration due to new social policies.

Scottish and Welsh nationalist parties enthusiastically supported European integration seeing it as a way to avoid isolation.