Thatcherism

Dr Holmes describes the second phase of the Thatcherite revolution during the 1983-7 government. He argues that Thatcherism is a recognizable political phenomenon which has sought a radical change in economic and social policy but that the pace of change has been uneven. In some areas, such as trade union reform and privatization, reform was seen to be swift and effectively executed. But more subtle opposition within the Conservative party itself, local government, the BBC and among intellectual opinion witnessed the government's philosophy and policy prescriptions wholly or partially blocked. The author concludes that while the nature of Thatcherism is now established the full extent of its effects on British politics and society depends on a variety of variable going beyond the government's arithmetical prliamentary majority. The author has written "Political Pressure and Economic Policy: British Government, 1970-74", "The Labour Government, 1974-79: Political Aims and Economic Reality" and "The First Thatcher Government, 1979-83: Contemporary Conservatism and Economic Change".