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Rise of Major - Coggle Diagram
Rise of Major
Black Wednesday
1990, Britain joined the ERM under Thatcher with the aim to combat inflation.
1992, the British currency along with other ERM currencies wa sunder intense pressure.
A few months after the 1992, victory there was a severeee crisis and Britain was forced to leave the ERM.
Despite, gov efforts to prevent devaluation of the fund and to remain within the ERM, they were forced to leave,
The effects of Black Wednesday were less severe tax expected and the economy stabilised in a relatively short time.
Political consequences: conservatives were no longer trusted with the economy, steep drop in support of conservative in opinion polls + major's authority was weakened - criticised in the media.
Northern Ireland
Major had a good relationship with Irish the Irish prime minister, Albert Reynolds.
1993, Major and Reynolds announced their joint Downing Street Declaration to bring peace to NI.
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1994, the IRA announced a ceasefire.
A final peace agreement was difficult as unionists didn't believe the IRA's commitment to peace - the IRA got inpatient and became violent again.
1996, centre of Manchester bombed but peace agreements continued.
Conservative divisons
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Despite, Major's efforts to unify the party and the successful 1992 election conservative divisions worsened.
John Redwood was strongly in favour of monetarism, a eurosceptic and ran against Major for conservative leadership.
Right-wing media was hostile, calling for a strong leader to replace Major.
By 1955, Major was insecure in his position so called for a leadership election, which he won. Despite, Redwood being backed by Thatcherites and Eurosceptics.
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Major as leader
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Speech to Europe, setting out his aim for Britain 'at the very heart of Europe'.
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The conservatives jumped in the opinion polls and the press was initially positive - reflecting unpopularity of Thatcher by 1990.
Political policies
1991, Citizen's Charter: An attempt to give the public more power over public services, however some elements such as the 'cone hotline' (ppl could phone if roads were closed) was a target of satire.
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Major continued privatisation: railways privatised 1996. Attempted to privatise the post office but this was highly unpopular so the plan was abandoned,
1991, Heseltine announced the closure of 31 pits - public backlash caused Heseltine to U-turn in the short term, but happened in the long-term.
'1996, Mad Cow Disease': Potential threat to human health in 1996 led to British beef being banned in Europe - weakening trade.
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1992 election
Major won respect for his old-fashioned 'soapbox' politics and campaign, making impromptu speeches in towns.
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Initially the opine polls were strongly in favour of Labour, but towards the end this switched.
Political sleaze
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1994, the Scott Enquiry: set up by major to investigate illegal arms dealing, proved that government ministers had broken the rules in enabling arms to be supplied to Iraq.
Cash for questions affair: Conservative MPs, including Neil Hamilton were accused of accepting money in return for lobbying (asking questions in parliament) on behalf of the owner of Harrods. This was very damaging to Major's Gov and was throughout the 1997 election campaign.