Adv. & Disadv. of John Major
- Created by: yazmintaylorx
- Created on: 27-04-18 11:34
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- John Major
- advantages
- statesmanlike conduct in the 1991 Gulf War
- bolstered Anglo-American relations
- impressive debut as PM
- Maastricht Treaty 1992
- improved Anglo-European relations
- employed a number of opt-outs which allowed Britain the benefits of the EU & ERM but with fewer commitments (like a single currency)
- less aggressive & hostile than Thatcher
- more open to European relations
- withdrew the Poll Tax in 1991
- 1992 Election
- saw Cons. gain largest amount of popular votes in history with an outright electoral win
- effective political style
- soap-box politics
- engaged with the IRA resulting in Good Friday Agreement in 1998
- Major's support for NATO in the 1995 Bosnian War proved popular
- opoular as dignitary of the Dayton Peace Agreement 1995
- disadvantages
- likeable but generally uninspiring person
- attacked by media and press for his focus on small details (spitting image 'grey man')
- did not have Thatcher's appeal
- crisis in Europe
- After T. had entered the ERM Major saw £ become worryingly overvalued
- after a short while the value of the £ rapidly fell so Chancellor (Norman Lamont) raised the interest rate from 10% to 12% and later 15%
- eventually B. forced to leave ERM after failing to keep up with value of the Deutschmark
- interest rate returned to 12%
- seriously damaged B's international economy & provided stronger argument for Eurosceptics
- Lab. gained lead in the polls
- Cons. neck deep in 'sleaze' scandals
- advantages
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