The Legacy of Thatcherism on the Conservative Party

survival of the New Right within British Conservatism can be attributed to the compatibility of its two strands. The influence of New Right economics, which condemned Keynesian intervention, was evident in both Thatcher's Britain and Reagan's America following the unemployment and inflation of the 1970s.

According to Heywood, Friedrich von Hayek and Milton Friedman believed that economic problems were caused by government interference, not the cure. Thatcher adopted the policies of these free market economists, shifting the Conservative Party's emphasis away from paternalism. This led to a new strand of conservatism that seemed contradictory. While advocating minimal government intervention, it implied a need for harsh and authoritarian methods to maintain order and discipline within society.

In the realm of conservatism, a novel approach surfaced that advocated for a free-market system as a means for individuals to attain success and demonstrate their competence. This was in contrast to the conventionally held belief that people are inherently self-centered. However, in order to balance this emphasis on individualism, an old notion was also integrated - the conservative idea of a powerful government, which reflects a pessimistic perspective on human nature. Heywood suggests that some conservatives embrace free-market principles because they can help preserve social order. This is illustrated by the possibility of workers being less inclined to demand higher wages out of fear of losing their jobs in a free market environment. Consequently, other state entities such as law enforcement collaborate with the market to maintain social stability. Therefore, despite appearances, the combination of a free-market and robust government is not as contradictory as it may appear.

Thatcher's strong positions on privatisation, the 'Right-to-Buy' initiative, and the 'short, sharp shock'

programme in custody youth centres moved the party towards a more right-wing stance. Although there was no obvious separation between Thatcherism and subsequent leadership of the party, Major maintained these policies and even endorsed tough US-style boot camps for juvenile offenders during the 1990s.

The Conservative Party in Britain strongly supported a combination of free-market policies and a strong state. However, the party suffered a disastrous result in the general election of 1997 as the Labour Party had also shifted to the right under Tony Blair. This resulted in both parties advocating for a free market, blurring their differences. The Labour Party's change was evident when it amended Clause Four and departed from its socialist roots. Consequently, the victory of middle Britain went to Labour in that election. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that despite this shift, the Conservative Party remained committed to its policy of a free market and strong state.

During the media craze surrounding the trendy and youthful Prime Minister and his "Cool Britannia" campaign, the Conservative Party underwent a period of introspection led by their newly appointed leader, William Hague. Despite having leanings towards right-wing policies, Hague sought to modernize and contemporize the party's image. During his inaugural conference speech as leader, he called for a more inclusive conservatism that aimed to bridge gaps with minority groups in order to dispel the perception of the Conservative Party as intolerant or stuffy. This speech is reminiscent of Theresa May's keynote address from her current position as Chairwoman of the Conservative Party where she urged an end to labeling it as a "nasty party" at this year's conference.

By 2000 however, Hague had done a complete

reversal on his stance emphasizing conservatism's traditional and pragmatic values instead of liberal elite ideals. He became concerned with the influx of refugees into the country and used language that mirrored Enoch Powell’s controversial speech.

According to Hague, a strong state should have zero-tolerance policies towards issues like burglary and school discipline. This indicates a shift away from trying to appeal to all members of society, towards endorsing a stronger state.

According to Richard Kelly, it is possible that the Conservative Party's change was due to internal pressure rather than Hague's personal change of heart. Although the party leader was eager to make conservatism more appealing, the party itself remained dedicated to Thatcher's ideology of a strong state and free-market. Despite attempting to win back public support from the Labour Party, their commitment to these beliefs never wavered. Unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful and their support continued to decline, leading to Hague's resignation after another disappointing election. However, the party and its members did not take any significant action to improve their situation, choosing Iain Duncan-Smith as their next leader, who had equally extreme right-wing views.

During Major's government in 1992, IDS was one of the backbenchers who opposed the Maastricht Treaty, causing a divide within the party. This resulted in two factions - extreme right-wingers who supported IDS's endorsement of a free-market and strong state, and those like Kenneth Clarke and Michael Portillo who preferred a more 'One Nation' form of conservatism. In recent years, British Conservatism has remained committed to both a free market and strong state while Labour has also embraced a market dominated by market forces. Despite internal party turmoil, IDS is now focused

on improving public services while promising better services and lower taxes. As there is no clear ideological separation between the government and opposition, his pledge to reduce taxation may be his most compelling offer to voters.

Although the Conservative Party did not experience significant discord over the single currency, which has been a divisive matter between political parties, it was not a major source of conflict for them in the previous year. Certain notable analysts have proposed that the upcoming general election in 2005 will hinge on commitments made about public services.

Political psychologists assert that when an individual's living standards are challenged, their political beliefs tend to lean towards the right wing. This is evident through current news headlines on issues like people dying on hospital trolleys or delayed emergency response by police. The ongoing dispute in the fire service also raises concerns. Opposition leader IDS is utilizing these concerns and highlighting Labour Party's considerable spending on public services with minimal improvements. For instance, while there has been a 20% increase in NHS expenditure over the past two years, treatments provided have increased only by 2%. Furthermore, administrators outnumber beds for patients in NHS presently. IDS pledges to tackle these problems while simultaneously keeping taxes low.

Discussing his intentions, the author plans to follow the example of a Conservative government in the 1980s that reformed and enhanced the economy through low taxes. Despite potential challenges given the current state of the city and possibility of a recession, this ambitious plan remains hopeful. The Conservative Party promotes both public services and a strong state with a free market, as evidenced by debates across Europe regarding asylum seekers and

discussions in the Commons about crime rates. In recent years, politics has become more accessible.

The last general election had a 59% turnout, indicating that numerous individuals are disengaged from politics and politicians. A decrease in turnout to 50% for the 2005 election would exacerbate this situation. Politicians resort to spin and advisors who can attract public support. Although the Conservative Party employs the public service sector to challenge the government, they still endorse a free market and a powerful state.

What the group requires currently are skilled politicians who can effectively advocate for their cause.