To what extent has the Modern Conservative Party abandoned Thatcherism? In 1975, Margaret Thatcher became leader of the Conservative Party. In the 1979 general election, she became Prime Minister until 1990. A Soviet journalist called her the "Iron Lady", a nickname that became associated with her uncompromising politics and leadership style. As Prime Minister, she implemented policies that have come to be known as Thatcherism. Her political ideas and policy had a profound impact on the party. After three successive defeats by Labour from 1997 until 2005 David Cameron became leader and promised to move the party into a new direction one in which its past ideas and polices would be reviewed.
Thatcher’s policies primarily involved the idea of monetarism, privatisation, and strong law and order. Thatcherism put emphasis on the government controlling the amount of money that was in circulation in Britain, so that inflation was kept at a steady level and so it was not a hindrance to economic growth. Thatcher also put strong emphasis on strict law and order. She believed better law enforcement would therefore create a stronger country. However, when David Cameron came to power, unlike many previous leaders, he was quick to question many of the key ideas of Thatcherism; but it has been widely debated that although he was quick to dismiss them, these ideas of Thatcherism may still be present in the current conservative party.
Thatcher’s main aim was to reduce the role of the state in public services and within the economy through promoting the idea of individualism and believed everyone should stand on their own two feet and provide for themselves. As a result, Thatcher attempted to reduce welfare dependency and promoted low taxation. Thatcher also reduced corporation tax as well as reducing the top rate of tax from 83% to 60% and then quickly down to the top rate of tax standing at 40%. Although tax cuts are a part of Cameron’s agenda the MC accept that tax cutting should not be part of a dogmatic ideology but only undertaken when economic conditions are favourable.
However, it is also argued that the Modern Conservative Party has abandoned Thatcherism. During the time, Environmental problems was not necessarily priortised in Thatchers reign. Thatcher was more focused on one nation and economic growth where as the Modern Conservative believes environmental protection has the highest priority and is the responsibility of all and also believes in a much more combatting approach in regards to the environment such as delivering a 30 per cent increase in agriculture, horticulture and animal welfare apprenticeships.
Another way in which the Modern Conservative Party has abandoned Thatcherism is that Thatcherites were extremely traditional in their views of the constitution and political system. However, modern conservatives accept that constitutional reform is essential and that the political system needs a good deal of democratic renewal.
However, The modern Conservative Party still continue to hold hold euro-sceptic views like Thatcher. Thatcher put great emphasis on nationalism and patriotism. Also, Thatcher was opposed to European integration believing it doesn’t serve the greatest interest of Britain and its economy. Likewise, Cameron holds very similar views to Thatcher when it comes to the European Union, showing elements of Thatcherism in the Modern Conservative Party. This was shown when Cameron supported draft legislation promising a referendum on EU membership by the end of 2017.
In terms of economic policies, there still seems to be an air of Thatcherism within the Modern Conservative Party. The fact that Cameron has centred his economic policy around massively reducing public spending, and his wish to see the state hand over certain responsibilities to private enterprises, seems to reflect the continuing influence of Thatcherism. For instance, the conservatives recently announced £7 billion spending cuts to reduce Britain’s ever growing deficit, and it has been continually debated about whether to privatise some parts of the Royal Mail.
To conclude, it is clear that the modern Conservative party still continue to hold Thatcherite views in some policy areas and therefore prove to have not completely abandoned Thatcherism, e.g. Low taxation, reducing welfare dependency and the euro-sceptic view. However, it also clear that Cameron has abandoned Thatcherism as he sets out to improve the environment which wouldn’t. To an extent, it is argued that Cameron has abandoned Thatcherism but his policies have clearly rooted from Thatcher’s ideology in the first place, the only difference is that Cameron has evolved his ideology to suit the modern day society.
