Who was more popular – Thatcher or Blair?
Most of us who were involved in left wing politics in the late 1970s/early 1980s remember the crushing Tory majorities and a real sense of gloom that descended as the decade went on. There was a growing sense that Labour faced a mountain to climb and some wondered if the political left was doomed altogether.
The tables turned after 1997 and actually, Tony Blair’s victories in 1997 and 2001 were far more crushing than Thatcher’s victories in terms of seats won. But the popular support for Thatcher in the 80s, in terms of votes, was equal to Blair. What had changed was the effect of the stronger third party – the Lib Dems – which allowed Labour in the late 90s to take more Tory seats than they otherwise might have done.
1979: Conservative win – 339 seats/43.9% of vote.
1983: Conservative win – 397 seats/42.4% of vote
1987: Conservative win – 376 seats/42.25% of vote
1997: Labour win – 418/43.2% of vote
2001 – Labour win – 412/40.7% of vote
Posted on February 2, 2013, in Uncategorized and tagged 1979, 1983, 1987, blair, Thatcher, vote. Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.
We should also consider the impact of the Liberal-SDP Alliance in 1983 and 1987, splitting the anti-Conservative vote, maybe even keeping Thatcher in power.
I recall people voting Tory in 83 and 87 through fear of A labour victory, at the same time i recall that in Opinion pols two thirds of People who voted SDP Liberal, said their second choice was Tory, Certainly liberal M.P.s John thurso, David alton and Cryil smith, Plus SDP members, Chris grayling, George and Eric Brown, Andrew Hunter andrew and Mark cooper ,David Owen Chris Brocklebank and John Honrnigton,and Andrew Mitchells second choice was tory (as sdp was members)paul staines and Danny finklestien, I know people who were laobur members who went over to the libdems in 2001 as it was obvious blair would have another landslide, just point of refernce I thought labour got 40.9% in 2001, but then he only got 10.8m in 2001
Interesting piece. You might enjoy this:
http://chrishallamworldview.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/reasons-why-the-left-still-hate-lady-thatcher/