Thatcherism. Assess the impact of Thatcherism on the Conservative Party's approach to Politics since 1975

Unions. Thatcher hoped to defeat them by confronting them. Thatcher also objected to the Welfare State-her main reasons for this being expense and the idea that it would be over-dominating to have it in existence. Thatcher was patriotic. This was later shown in the Falklands War and later her decision to go for the US link over European Unity.From these Policies it is easy to see how Thatcherism turned around traditional Conservative approaches to politics. Her four main policies of duty, responsibility, authority and discipline can be put into the category of Neo-Conservatism and this continued even into Major's leadership with his of morality, obligation and citizenship, in the spotlight.From 1979 to 1983, Thatcher laid her foundations and Conservative approach began to really change. Although Conservatism had always meant low taxation, it now meant 83% (top rate) plus a surcharge. It was later lowered to 33% (basic rate) and 60% (top rate). Then came the Conservative Party's next change. Trade Union reform followed by cautious privatization - British Aerospace, National Freight Corporation and Cable and Wireless were all turned private. The next step was to allow Council Houses to be sold to their tenants.Thatcherism continued to have a considerable impact, with VAT pushed right up to 17 %. Britain went into recession and unemployment rose to 3m. The party's views were split. It was the Thatcherites versus the 'Wets' and the discomfort continued with the Brixton and Liverpool riots, unrest in Northern Ireland and the Maze Prison hunger strikes. Thatcher asked for a decrease in Britiain's contribution to the Euro budget and this was partially granted.A real telling point in the Conservative Party's approach to politics is the Falkland's war. Thatcher's nationalistic policies meant the task force was ent to retake the tiny islands 8000 miles away and clearly the majority of Britain's voters didn't even question the sensibility of this and the Conservative's were re-elected. Thatcher continued her policy of privatisation, this time not so cautiously, British Telecom, British Steel and British Gas all went private, as well as electricity and water. After the miner's strikes were over and the boom began, it seemed Thatcherism was quite a success for Conservatism. Conservative Anti-European feelings continued and it seemed Thatcher favoured links with President Reagan and Gorbechev. Britain then witnessed something completely new: Thatcher brought in the Poll Tax, a replacement for the previous system of property taxes. But the idea that everyone should pay a contribution towards the local services was a failure. The Conservative approach to Euro Politics had become one of saying no if you didn't like it, but European leaders began finding ways of out-maneuvering Thatcher and her government.But did Thatcherism continue to dominate the Conservative approach to Politics? When Major succeeded Thatcher, it appeared his themes were more unity-based, but as his leadership continued it was clear that the Conservative approach in many ways was now to take Thatcherism further. British Rail was made private and later the Prison service. The idea of Market supremacy was reiterated and even accepted by former opposers such as Micheal Heseltine. Major maintained a great deal of Thatcherite policies, his Back to Basics campaign was quite a Thatcherite one and clearly drawn from Neo-Conservative ideas, along with many others. A belief in avoiding intervention in industry and commerce, in low government borrowing and keeping tax and spending under tight control are still the framework for the Conservative Party's approach today.The Conservative's backed monetarism over Health and Education all through Major's government, just as Thatcher had done very little with this side of Britain, bar altering the curricula to include more British history and 'fact'. Major changed very little of what Thatcher had put into place. Major had a similar European view to Thatcher, except his was 'wait and see' rather than no. Within the Conservative Party there were split views about both European entry and the Euro. It is clear thet Thatcherism had a significant impact on the Major years, his main policies being that of 'Taking responsibility for Britain' and the 'importance of leadership' and 'wealth and ownership'.Even when Hague came in as leader of the Conservative party we still see some policies adopted from Thatcher: pro free-market, low taxation, low public spending and anti-unity with Europe ('in Europe not run by Europe' is one of Hague's firm beliefs. Hague is anti-Euro and for keeping everything Private. Thatcher dramatically changed the Conservative party, altering Economic and Social views not only as leader but also by influencing other members of the Conservative party to take some of her views on board, particularly Major and Hague. Many of Thatcher's policies have stood the test of time in Conservatism and are still visible in the Conservative approach to Politics today. Rebecca Jones