The longest suicide note in history deconstructed Compare

‘The longest suicide note in history’ – deconstructed Compare your analysis with your neighbours’.

• “We must use unilateral steps taken by Britain to secure multilateral solutions on the international level. ” • The Labour Party wanted unilateral disarmament – it was a key issue for Foot, but seen as outdated by the 1980 s. • It was unpopular with many voters because the Cold War was still at a dangerous point. Falklands victory boosted world status – disarmament would be suggesting the opposite. • US President Ronald Reagan had only just announced a new, more advance missile defence system (Strategic Defense Initiative – SDI).

• “On taking office we will open preliminary negotiations with the other EEC member states to establish a timetable for withdrawal. ” • Opposition from the top of Labour was based on the traditional concerns about protecting workers’ interests and exploring trade links with the rest of the world. • Britain had voted in favour of staying in the EEC in 1975 with a strong margin – 17 million ‘yes’ votes to 8 million ‘no’s. The benefits of more favourable trade deals with Europe was being felt by 1983.

• Wanted to rebuild British industry, supported by government investment overseen by “a powerful new Department of Economic and Industrial Planning”. Industry is in inevitable decline – laws of free market. Increasing reliance on the welfare state is a social and economic mistake. • The manifesto promised more spending on social services and other aspects of the welfare state, promising to increase spending There are enough homes by at least 4% in real terms every year. • It committed Labour to an extensive home-building programme. • Promised an extension of legal aid. • Abandon the cap on local authority spending. with Tory programme; extending right-to-buy is want people want. Local authorities are too socialist – they are wasting public money.

Their policies weren’t rejected by EVERYONE, but … • Aspiration was a more attractive proposition than restraint and traditional Labour values of equality. • Despite high public spending in the 70 s, many people were frustrated at the lack of improvement in their living standards under Keynesianism. Thatcher’s alternative seemed worth a try. • 8 years after a decisive referendum result in favour of staying in the EEC, it wasn’t a popular issue to resurrect. • Increased Cold War tension made British nuclear disarmament seem risky, if not foolish.

Why weren’t the Tories opposed more effectively in the 80 s? Learning objectives: • Know how the Labour Party changed under the leadership of Neil Kinnock. • Understand the lack of progress made by the SDP and why the Liberal Democrats were formed. • Analyse the election results of 1983 and 1987.

Kinnock as Labour leader Create a mindmap/spider diagram as we discuss. • Demographic change: long-term industrial decline eroded Labour’s traditional support base. Could no longer count on working-class vote. • Also affected union support – public sympathy harmed by Winter of Discontent (but not dramatically). • Kinnock realised need to modernise. Foot resigned after 1983 election disaster, Kinnock elected leader with 71% of vote.

Kinnock as Labour leader • Why didn’t Tony Benn run? • He lost his Bristol seat in 1983 after 20 years following boundary changes and a moderate Labourite was nominated to contest the new seat – a sign of rejection of the hard left? • Kinnock saw his main task as ‘dragging Labour back to the mainstream’. • Bennites and other hard-left activists were prominent at a local level.

Kinnock as Labour leader • The most significant and challenging of these groups was Militant Tendency – an ‘entryist’ organisation who wanted revolutionary socialism. • Militant was successful in Bradford and some London boroughs but especially Liverpool where it controlled the city council. • Kinnock had Militant members expelled from party by 1986 but their influence damaged Labour’s image amongst many voters.

Timeline of the SDP • You’ll need pages 110, 111, 113 and 114.

Electoral results analysis • Complete the grid.

Homework – 1 week to complete • Essay Q (bottom of your SDP timeline). • Tips on p 116.