1997

• In 1997 the conservatives had been in power since 1979 and John Major’s government was tainted by ‘sleaze’ which were financial and sex scandals
• in 1997 Labour had moved to the

  political centre with Tony Blair
• Labour landslide in 1997 with a

  179 seat majority
• New labour had a proactive approach to what in 1997?

  • the media
• after becoming leader of the Labour party why did Blair go to australia?

  • to meet rupert Murdoch, owner of the sun newspaper
• Labour’s economic policy was what in 1997?

  centrist
• why were the Conservatives not popular with the electorate in 1997?

  they were critical of Blair’s devolution plans
• what were Labour’s five pledges in 1997?

  • cut classroom sizes
  • introduce fast track punishments for persistent young offenders
  • cut NHS waiting lists
  • get under 25s into work
  • not to raise income tax
• the conservatives created what negative campaign against Labour in 1997?

  ‘ new Labour, new Danger‘
• why was Blair popular with the voters in 1997 despite him being 43 and therefore lacking experience?

  • his charisma
  • his amendment to Clause IV of the constitution
• what policies did Labour’s huge majority allow Blair to pass?

  • devolution
  • removal of hereditary peers from the HOL
  • the passing of the Human Rights Act 1998
  • Freedom of information act 2000
  • introduction of a national minimum wage and increased public spending