2.9 Challenges to Parliament and democracy c.1980–2014

• Challenges to the authority of Parliament from c.1980 to 2014

  • Margaret Thatcher decreased state regulation and clashed with trade unions
  • Thatcher wanted businesses to have more independence
  • Thatcher cut taxes on businesses
  • Thatcher privatised some of Britain's major industries
  • Thatcher thought the welfare system did not inspire people to achieve things for themselves, and so her government cut back on welfare spending
  • Thatcher introduced the poll tax in 1990
• Tony Blair's government


  • Borrowed heavily from Thatcherite ideas
  • Agreed that industries should be independent from government control
  • Continued to privatise some major industries
  • Continued restrictions that the Conservatives had placed on trade unions
  • Increased the power of central government in some areas such as education
  • Acted in a presidential manner
• Pressure groups challenging Parliament in the 1980s

  • Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) emerged in the 1950s with the aim of removing nuclear weapons from Britain, and challenged Parliament's right to sanction the use of nuclear weapons
  • Greenpeace was established in 1971 to raise awareness of environmental issues, and disagreed with the government supporting big businesses that have an interest in some of its campaign areas
• Regions of the UK demanding greater autonomy from the 1980s


  • Northern Ireland: Disputes about whether or not Northern Ireland should be part of the UK, with Unionists wanting to stay in the UK and Nationalists wanting a united Ireland. Violent clashes between these groups. Northern Ireland had its own Parliament until 1972, and in 1998 a settlement was reached setting up an Assembly
  • Scotland: Scottish Parliament created in 1998 after Scottish people voted for devolution of power. 2014 referendum on independence, with 55% voting not to become independent. Tensions between England and Scotland over EU membership referendum
  • Wales: People in Wales voted for devolution in 1997, and by 2007 Wales had its own National Assembly with control over education, health and law and order
• 2010 hung Parliament and coalition government


  • No one party achieved an overall majority, so the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats formed a coalition government
  • In a coalition, power is shared, but parties have to compromise on some of their key policies
  • The Liberal Democrats wanted to change the way in which MPs are elected into Parliament, but the public voted against this in a referendum in 2011
• Disillusionment with political parties today

  • Steady decline in the number of people voting in general elections, especially among 18-24 year olds
  • Increase in the number of people voting in topical referendums such as on Scottish independence and EU membership
  • Expenses scandal caused a lot of disillusionment with the political system
  • Growing support for fringe parties such as UKIP, showing people are not satisfied with the current system