““From the Miners to From the Miners to Major:Major:

A League of Change in A League of Change in Recent British Politics.”Recent British Politics.”

Jeremy Lewis PhD, Huntingdon College, Jeremy Lewis PhD, Huntingdon College, For presentations at Buena Vista For presentations at Buena Vista University, Iowa, 11-12 Sep. 2005University, Iowa, 11-12 Sep. 2005

See www.Political-Science.orgSee www.Political-Science.org

John Major stereotyped as John Major stereotyped as the grey man of the Tory the grey man of the Tory partyparty

• The whiz kid whose fast rise up the greasy pole The whiz kid whose fast rise up the greasy pole • culminated in a slippery slide downwardsculminated in a slippery slide downwards• economic stagflation and low approval ratingseconomic stagflation and low approval ratings• unable to prevent bickering, scandal and policy unable to prevent bickering, scandal and policy

driftdrift• echoes of Churchill’s “modest” depiction of Atleeechoes of Churchill’s “modest” depiction of Atlee• [cartoon] Major as Mr. Underpants, the spindly [cartoon] Major as Mr. Underpants, the spindly

superhero.superhero.

PM as Mr. UnderpantsPM as Mr. Underpants

until, that is, Edwina Currie’s revelations in until, that is, Edwina Currie’s revelations in 2002.2002.

Now Sir John Major seen Now Sir John Major seen asas• the creator of Northern Ireland peace the creator of Northern Ireland peace

agreementagreement

• the warrior of the 1991 Gulf Warthe warrior of the 1991 Gulf War

• the international statesman and peace the international statesman and peace negotiatornegotiator

• the last successful Conservative party the last successful Conservative party leaderleader

• returned a party to the moderate “inside returned a party to the moderate “inside right” electorateright” electorate

Major in the context of Major in the context of British PoliticsBritish Politics • PMQT shows integration of legislature and PMQT shows integration of legislature and

executiveexecutive– Commons culture of Oxford Union debatingCommons culture of Oxford Union debating– PM confronted by MPsPM confronted by MPs– articulate ministers, well informed & gladiatorialarticulate ministers, well informed & gladiatorial– patronage power of the prime ministerpatronage power of the prime minister– cabinet and shadow cabinet: loyal Opposition cabinet and shadow cabinet: loyal Opposition – front bench (ministers) versus backbench (MPs)front bench (ministers) versus backbench (MPs)– Multi-party system with cross-benchers:Multi-party system with cross-benchers:

• First Past the Post system favors Con & First Past the Post system favors Con & Lab, disfavors Lib DemsLab, disfavors Lib Dems

Uncodified ConstitutionUncodified Constitution

• doctrine of parliamentary sovereigntydoctrine of parliamentary sovereignty– no supreme court, no constitutional reviewno supreme court, no constitutional review

• flexible terms of office and votes of no flexible terms of office and votes of no confidenceconfidence

• cabinet’s collective responsibility: cabinet’s collective responsibility: “government are”“government are”

• ministerial responsibility & resignationministerial responsibility & resignation• rise of PM and staff, public relationsrise of PM and staff, public relations• embourgeoisement:embourgeoisement: decline of class-based decline of class-based

politicspolitics

postwar welfare state postwar welfare state consensus:consensus:

• equality over individualismequality over individualism

• full employment over productivityfull employment over productivity

• ““fair shares for all”fair shares for all”

• ““no jumping the queue”no jumping the queue”

• ““homes fit for heroes”homes fit for heroes”

• ““Butskellism” (Butler & Gaitskell)Butskellism” (Butler & Gaitskell)

• ““corporatism” (tripartite economic corporatism” (tripartite economic discussions)discussions)

1960s and 1970s, 1960s and 1970s, consensus declinedconsensus declined

• Labour & Conservative governmentsLabour & Conservative governments

• economic deteriorationeconomic deterioration

• winters of discontent 1974 and 1979winters of discontent 1974 and 1979

• ““bloody-minded” unions & “out of bloody-minded” unions & “out of touch” managementtouch” management

• Miners brought down Heath Tory Miners brought down Heath Tory government, 1974government, 1974

Thatcherism revolution:Thatcherism revolution:

• tax cuts: larger shares for sometax cuts: larger shares for some• property holding democracy: shares for allproperty holding democracy: shares for all• market forces in all institutions: scramble market forces in all institutions: scramble

to head the queueto head the queue

• Privatization of 11% of economyPrivatization of 11% of economy

• Broke miner’s union 1984Broke miner’s union 1984• Over 20% shareholdersOver 20% shareholders• Council house salesCouncil house sales• Self-budgeting universities and hospitalsSelf-budgeting universities and hospitals

Public Opinion:Public Opinion:

• now more polarized now more polarized

• mostly favors postwar consensus (I. mostly favors postwar consensus (I. Crewe)Crewe)

• by 1990, only 17% of Tory MPs by 1990, only 17% of Tory MPs actually Thatcherite (P. Norton)actually Thatcherite (P. Norton)

Understated leader Understated leader sandwiched between two sandwiched between two prima donnasprima donnas • not an Oxford Union debaternot an Oxford Union debater

• Citizen’s Charter a minor reformCitizen’s Charter a minor reform

• Thatcher’s budget cuts, privatization, Thatcher’s budget cuts, privatization, supply side revolutionsupply side revolution

• Blair’s Third Way reformsBlair’s Third Way reforms

John Roy Major’s early life, John Roy Major’s early life, 1943-1943- • untypical British leaderuntypical British leader• name “Roy”not even on birth certificatename “Roy”not even on birth certificate• son of traveling circus performer, Tom Major-Ballson of traveling circus performer, Tom Major-Ball

– Late discovery of half-siblingsLate discovery of half-siblings

• impoverished by unemploymentimpoverished by unemployment• rejected as bus conductorrejected as bus conductor• made garden gnomes with brother Terrymade garden gnomes with brother Terry• not upper middle class -- free school uniform not upper middle class -- free school uniform • not Eton – just grammar schoolnot Eton – just grammar school• not Oxford – not even university (J. Callaghan)not Oxford – not even university (J. Callaghan)

Early Career:Early Career:

• Banker 1965-1979: very successfulBanker 1965-1979: very successful

• Married Norma 1970, two childrenMarried Norma 1970, two children

Major’s climb up the greasy Major’s climb up the greasy polepole (Disraeli) (Disraeli)

• Spring 1991, most popular PM in 30 yearsSpring 1991, most popular PM in 30 years• Prime Minister 1990-97Prime Minister 1990-97• Leader of the Conservative Party 1990-97Leader of the Conservative Party 1990-97

– Over Michael (“Tarzan”) Heseltine and Douglas Hurd (diplomatic)Over Michael (“Tarzan”) Heseltine and Douglas Hurd (diplomatic)• Chancellor of the Exchequer 1989-90 Chancellor of the Exchequer 1989-90

– first TV budget speech, TESSAsfirst TV budget speech, TESSAs– UK joined ERM, 1990UK joined ERM, 1990

• Foreign Secretary 1989Foreign Secretary 1989– Chief Secretary to the Treasury 1987-89Chief Secretary to the Treasury 1987-89

• Minister of State for Social Security 1986Minister of State for Social Security 1986• Under-Sec for Social Security (welfare & OAPs) 1985Under-Sec for Social Security (welfare & OAPs) 1985• Treasury Whip 1984Treasury Whip 1984• Assistant Whip 1983 Assistant Whip 1983 • Parliamentary Private Sec. 1981Parliamentary Private Sec. 1981• MP for Huntingdon (1976) 1979, 1983, 1992, 1997.MP for Huntingdon (1976) 1979, 1983, 1992, 1997.• Lambeth borough council 1968-71, created housingLambeth borough council 1968-71, created housing• Soap box speeches in Lambeth, 1964-68.Soap box speeches in Lambeth, 1964-68.

Conservative party Conservative party factionsfactions• Leadership elections post 1965 among MPsLeadership elections post 1965 among MPs• 1922 Committee (revolts in private)1922 Committee (revolts in private)• Thatcherite free-market insurgents (“dries”) Thatcherite free-market insurgents (“dries”)

17% only17% only• aristocratic High Tories declining (trad cons)aristocratic High Tories declining (trad cons)• ““Hang ‘em and flog ‘em” brigade in shiresHang ‘em and flog ‘em” brigade in shires• One-Nation moderates larger group (“wets”)One-Nation moderates larger group (“wets”)• dropping leaders after lost electionsdropping leaders after lost elections• all included in cabinets except 1984-87all included in cabinets except 1984-87

Major as Conservative Major as Conservative Prime Minister, 1990-97Prime Minister, 1990-97

• More inclusive, genteel styleMore inclusive, genteel style

• Moderates back to cabinetModerates back to cabinet

• Only 47 on accessionOnly 47 on accession

• Early success with Gulf war, 1991Early success with Gulf war, 1991– Record popularityRecord popularity

• Abolished poll tax which had brought Abolished poll tax which had brought down Thatcherdown Thatcher

Unpromising re-election Unpromising re-election prospectsprospects

• longest recession since 1930slongest recession since 1930s

• consumer unconfidence 1990, Tories consumer unconfidence 1990, Tories droopeddrooped

• Tories 30% 1990, Lab 53% Tories 30% 1990, Lab 53%

• voters polarized by Mrs. Thatchervoters polarized by Mrs. Thatcher• Short bounces from Major’s Short bounces from Major’s

accession and Gulf Waraccession and Gulf War

Economic policy U-turnEconomic policy U-turn

• Major eased interest rates Oct 1990Major eased interest rates Oct 1990• Lamont increased PSBR Lamont increased PSBR

(unThatcherite)(unThatcherite)

Won 1992 election by Won 1992 election by upsetupset

• Polls predicted hung ParliamentPolls predicted hung Parliament

• Neil Kinnock’s welsh oratoryNeil Kinnock’s welsh oratory

• Labour’s slick American-style Labour’s slick American-style campaigningcampaigning

• Major’s Lambeth soap-box Major’s Lambeth soap-box speechifying speechifying

• Major’s man in the street style.Major’s man in the street style.

Won 1992 election by Won 1992 election by upsetupset

• voters lied – or opinion polls skewed?voters lied – or opinion polls skewed?

• Late deciders ToryLate deciders Tory

• ““best to control economy” swing to best to control economy” swing to ToryTory

• Tories returned with small majorityTories returned with small majority

• Lost only 41 seats, retained 43% of Lost only 41 seats, retained 43% of votevote

Economic difficultiesEconomic difficulties

• Stagflation 1992-93Stagflation 1992-93• Black Wednesday, 16 Sep. 1992, Black Wednesday, 16 Sep. 1992,

ERM withdrawalERM withdrawal

StatesmanshipStatesmanship

• European engagement:European engagement:– EU’s Maastricht Treaty 1992, despite EU’s Maastricht Treaty 1992, despite – Tory “bastard” eurosceptic rebels (Lilley, Tory “bastard” eurosceptic rebels (Lilley,

Portillo & Howard) Portillo & Howard) – Labour tactical forced vote defeat on EU Social Labour tactical forced vote defeat on EU Social

ChapterChapter– Major forced vote of no confidence, won by 40Major forced vote of no confidence, won by 40– Opted out of Euro currency, protected British Opted out of Euro currency, protected British

economyeconomy

Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

• Irish peace talksIrish peace talks earned Companion of earned Companion of HonourHonour– IRA ceasefire 1994IRA ceasefire 1994– despite mortar bombing of No.10despite mortar bombing of No.10– denied negotiating secretly with IRA 1993denied negotiating secretly with IRA 1993– ““it would turn my stomach”it would turn my stomach”– till exposedtill exposed– Angered by Clinton’s reception of Gerry AdamsAngered by Clinton’s reception of Gerry Adams

Domestic policy issuesDomestic policy issues

• ““Back to Basics” campaign, 1993Back to Basics” campaign, 1993– intended: economy, education, policingintended: economy, education, policing– inferred by media: trad valuesinferred by media: trad values– scandals, sleaze and backbitingscandals, sleaze and backbiting– (mistresses, Corp. directorships, cash for (mistresses, Corp. directorships, cash for

questions)questions)• Economic recession and stagflation 1992Economic recession and stagflation 1992

– Changed policyChanged policy– 5 successive years of recovery:5 successive years of recovery:

• growth, reducing inflation and unemploymentgrowth, reducing inflation and unemployment

• Economic recovery by 1997Economic recovery by 1997

Leadership of partyLeadership of party

• constant backbiting from Thatcherites & constant backbiting from Thatcherites & euroscepticseurosceptics

• 1995 Major resigned (but not PM position) 1995 Major resigned (but not PM position) (a first)(a first)

• won leadership (218 MPs) over eurosceptic won leadership (218 MPs) over eurosceptic Redwood (89)Redwood (89)

• Dec. 1996 Cons lost majority in CommonsDec. 1996 Cons lost majority in Commons

• economy improving, but 5 year limit on economy improving, but 5 year limit on termterm

May day 1997 election May day 1997 election lostlost

• New Labour landslide.New Labour landslide.

• Lab 418 seats, Con 165, Lib Dem 46Lab 418 seats, Con 165, Lib Dem 46

• Lab majority 179Lab majority 179

• 179 Con MPs lost seats – worst in 179 Con MPs lost seats – worst in centurycentury

• ““curtain falls, time to get off the curtain falls, time to get off the stage” & cricketstage” & cricket

Retirement life:Retirement life:

• Backbenches, few political interventionsBackbenches, few political interventions– Chancellor Lamont: Major slow Black Wed. ‘92Chancellor Lamont: Major slow Black Wed. ‘92– criticized Hague’s move to rightcriticized Hague’s move to right– criticized Thatcher for “warrior characteristics”, unconservativecriticized Thatcher for “warrior characteristics”, unconservative– 2005 criticized decline of civility2005 criticized decline of civility

• cricket at MCCcricket at MCC• declined life peerage but Knighthood of garterdeclined life peerage but Knighthood of garter• 2002 Edwina Currie’s autobiography2002 Edwina Currie’s autobiography• Discovered half brother and half sisterDiscovered half brother and half sister• Feb. 2005 Major & Lamont held up release of papers Feb. 2005 Major & Lamont held up release of papers

– on Black Wednesday under FOIAon Black Wednesday under FOIA• Carlyle group chairCarlyle group chair• Successor, William Hague, Successor, William Hague, moremore unpopular unpopular