Fall of Thatcher and her legacy; Major as leader; economic developments,…

The idea

The fall of Thatcher in 1990 left a complex legacy, elevating John Major as leader to unite a fractured Conservative Party. Major’s premiership faced severe economic developments, notably 'Black Wednesday' in 1992, when Britain crashed out of the Exchange Rate Mechanism, destroying the party's reputation for economic competence. Major's political policies, like the Citizen's Charter, were overshadowed by relentless political sleaze, scandals, and vicious satire. Despite this, Major made vital progress in his approach to Northern Ireland, initiating the peace process with the 1993 Downing Street Declaration. However, deep Conservative divisions over Europe, worsened by the Maastricht Treaty, fatally undermined his authority.

What earns the marks

• Analyse the factors leading to the fall of Thatcher, including the Poll Tax, European divisions, and her leadership style, alongside her enduring legacy.
• Evaluate John Major's effectiveness as leader in managing a divided cabinet and securing the surprise 1992 general election victory.
• Assess the economic and political impact of 'Black Wednesday' (1992) on the Conservative Party's reputation for economic management.
• Examine how political sleaze, financial scandals, and media satire eroded public trust in Major's government.
• Evaluate Major's political policies and his crucial approach to Northern Ireland, particularly the significance of the Downing Street Declaration.
• Explain how Conservative divisions over the Maastricht Treaty and European integration weakened Major's government.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Attributing the 1997 Conservative defeat solely to Tony Blair's appeal.

  Put it right: The groundwork was laid by 'Black Wednesday', sleaze, and deep Conservative divisions.

• Claiming Major achieved nothing in Northern Ireland.

  Put it right: He was instrumental in the 1993 Downing Street Declaration which paved the way for the Good Friday Agreement.

• Confusing the causes of Thatcher's fall.

  Put it right: While the Poll Tax was the public catalyst, her cabinet's loss of confidence over her European stance was the immediate trigger.

Exam tips

• Contrast the economic reality of the mid-1990s recovery with the lingering political damage caused by 'Black Wednesday'.
• Use specific examples of 'sleaze' (e.g., the 'Cash for Questions' scandal) to illustrate the decline in Conservative moral authority.
• When discussing Conservative divisions, explicitly link the Eurosceptic rebellions over the Maastricht Treaty to Major's loss of parliamentary control.