Ministers: Support and Opposition (AQA A-Level History): Revision Notes
Ministers: Support and Opposition
The internal divisions within the Conservative Party
Although the Conservative Party secured victory in the 1979 general election, the party was far from united behind Thatcher's political vision. Senior Conservatives who disagreed with her approach were labelled "wets" - those who showed reluctance to fully embrace monetarist economic policies and their social consequences. Thatcher herself coined the term, dismissing them as soft and squeamish. In contrast, ministers who firmly backed monetarism were known as "dries".
The terms "wets" and "dries" became defining labels in British politics during the Thatcher era. "Wets" originally meant those who lacked conviction or toughness, while "dries" represented those with firm, unwavering commitment to free-market economics. This division would shape Conservative Party politics throughout the 1980s.
Thatcher's first cabinet reflected this division. Willie Whitelaw received the Home Secretary position, while several economic portfolios went to those Thatcher trusted as ideological allies. Geoffrey Howe became Chancellor of the Exchequer, Keith Joseph took charge of the Department of Industry, and John Biffen and Nigel Lawson were appointed to other economic positions. These individuals shared Thatcher's commitment to strict economic discipline and free-market principles.
However, Thatcher made one notable concession by appointing Jim Prior as employment minister. Prior represented the moderate wing of the party and did not share Thatcher's hardline approach to trade union reform.
Early tensions and cabinet reshuffles
Predictably, disagreements emerged between Prior and Thatcher. Their disputes centred primarily on anti-union legislation, with Prior advocating a more conciliatory stance towards trade union leaders than the Thatcherites thought appropriate. The Prime Minister and her supporters believed Prior was too accommodating in his dealings with union representatives.
The Price of Moderation
Prior's effective demotion in 1981 sent a clear message to other moderate Conservatives. He was transferred to the Northern Ireland Office, a move widely interpreted as punishment for his moderate views. This demonstrated Thatcher's willingness to sideline those who opposed her agenda, regardless of their standing within the party. Norman Tebbit, a committed Thatcherite, replaced him.
Norman Tebbit (born 1931) served as an outspoken Essex MP who first entered Thatcher's cabinet as Trade Secretary. He later became party chairman. His blunt speaking style and unwavering commitment to Thatcherite principles made him popular among the party's right wing, though his opponents found him abrasive. Michael Foot described him as 'a semi-house-trained polecat'. In 1987, Tebbit left the government while maintaining his loyalty to Thatcherite thinking. He strongly supported law and order policies, viewing the family as the foundation of social stability.
The consolidation of Thatcherite dominance after 1983
The 1983 general election proved decisive in reshaping the cabinet's ideological balance. Thatcher's landslide victory strengthened her position both as Prime Minister and party leader. The moderates within her party were increasingly sidelined. Thatcher now commanded a cabinet dominated by Thatcherites, including Chancellor Nigel Lawson and Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe.
A Turning Point for Thatcherism
The 1983 election victory was not merely an electoral success - it fundamentally transformed the balance of power within the Conservative Party. With her mandate reinforced and her political authority at its peak, Thatcher could finally marginalise the "wets" who had constrained her during her first term. The post-1983 cabinet represented the true beginning of unchallenged Thatcherite dominance in British government.
Sir Geoffrey Howe (born 1926) had served as trade minister under Edward Heath until 1974 before becoming Thatcher's first Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1979 to 1983. He oversaw the implementation of monetarist principles in economic policy. Between 1983 and 1989, he served as foreign minister, but his views on European integration increasingly clashed with Thatcher's more sceptical position. His resignation speech in 1990 contributed to her eventual downfall.
Geoffrey Howe's resignation speech is considered one of the most devastating parliamentary speeches in modern British history. Despite his reputation as a mild-mannered politician, his criticism of Thatcher's leadership style and European policy proved fatal to her premiership, coming just weeks before her removal from office.
Nigel Lawson (born 1932) initially served as Howe's deputy at the Treasury before succeeding him as Chancellor in 1983. His expansionary budgets of 1987 and 1988 stimulated economic growth, creating what became known as the 'Lawson boom'. However, in 1989, Lawson resigned from the government after growing frustrated with the excessive influence exercised by Thatcher's private economic adviser, Professor Alan Walters.
Ministerial opposition and the Westland affair
The consolidation of Thatcherite control did not eliminate all ministerial opposition. Some disagreements stemmed from personal conflicts rather than ideological differences. Both John Biffen and Norman Tebbit eventually fell from favour despite their Thatcherite credentials.
The most dramatic challenge to Thatcher's authority came with the Westland affair. Michael Heseltine stormed out of a cabinet meeting and resigned his position, publicly claiming that Thatcher had acted unconstitutionally. Though Thatcher survived the immediate crisis, Heseltine emerged as a focal point for Conservative MPs who harboured doubts about her leadership style. This discontent would intensify, reaching a climax in 1990.
The Westland Affair: Seeds of Thatcher's Downfall
The 1986 Westland affair marked a crucial turning point in Thatcher's premiership. While she survived the immediate political crisis, Heseltine's dramatic resignation created a rallying point for MPs dissatisfied with her increasingly autocratic leadership style. The affair demonstrated that even loyal Thatcherites could be alienated by her methods, foreshadowing the internal party rebellion that would ultimately force her from office four years later.
Michael Heseltine (born 1933) was a wealthy Conservative politician who became a prominent figure in the 1980s. His distinctive appearance - long hair and flamboyant style - earned him the nickname 'Tarzan'. His support for 'One Nation' conservatism and pro-European stance brought him into conflict with Thatcher. He resigned from her cabinet in 1986 over the Westland affair. Many Thatcherites held him responsible for Thatcher's fall in 1990. He subsequently served as deputy prime minister under John Major.
Key Points to Remember:
- The Conservative Party in 1979 contained significant divisions between "wets" (moderates) and "dries" (Thatcherite hardliners)
- Thatcher strategically placed trusted allies like Geoffrey Howe, Nigel Lawson, Keith Joseph and John Biffen in economic positions
- Jim Prior, a moderate, was effectively demoted in 1981 and replaced by the hardline Norman Tebbit after disagreements over trade union policy
- The 1983 election victory allowed Thatcher to marginalise remaining moderates and consolidate Thatcherite control over the cabinet
- The Westland affair in 1986 saw Michael Heseltine resign, creating a focus for growing discontent among Conservative MPs that would ultimately contribute to Thatcher's removal in 1990