Fall of thatcher and legacy

• After poll tax lost all four by elections
• polls released her as most unpopular ever
• Westland affair

  • lost heseltine support as she didnt want European and government intervention even if it meant us takeiver
  • blocked cabinet discussions and didnt publicise concerns
  • stormed out and resigned
  • highlights depth of divisions in eu, money and Foriegn policy
• economic issues

  • big bang led to stock market crash
  • Lawson boom led to balance of payments
  • 1990 inflation was 10% when key objective was low inflation
• political issues - loss of support

  • lost all four by-elections post poll tax and lost Eastbourne and ultra safe seat to liberals in 1990
• political issues - poll tax and popularity

  • mass demonstrations led to dip in opinion polls and ratings
  • strongly advised to drop scheme which she didnt which heightened internal divisions
• labours popularity shift

  • Neil Kinnock brought labour up
  • go from 20 MPs to 271 in 1992
• political tensions and divisions - loss of support

  • geoffrey Howe resignation is catalyst for Michael Heseltine who was massive supporter prior
  • heseltine announced leadership challenge
• leadership contest

  • thatcher won first round with 52 voted but resigned realising she lost confidence of 2 out of 5 mp
  • cabinet informed her time was up
  • john Major entered second ballot who was preferred over Heseltine flamboyancy - safer leader