Why were the Cons so badly defeated under JM?

Why were Cons defeated under JM?

3 Main Problems

• lack of authority
• divisions within Cons over Europe
• lab revitalised under 'new labour' by NK

JM's Lack of Authority

• elected only because Cons MPs didn't want Heseltine --> blamed for downfall of MT
• MT seemed to support him as successor
• he was affable, reliable and conscientious --> v different from MT
• had limited authority due to only being in Cabinet from 1987
• uncharismatic so ridiculed in media
• gained some support due to making speeches on boxes
• Cons majority only 21 seats in 1992 election= cons MPs who disagreed with him could defeat in parliament
• any by elecion defeats couldmean parliamentary speeches

Conservative Divisions over Europe

• Eurosceptics disliked movemnt towards closer union with Europe
• portion who believed Uk shuold have some sort of closer union with Europe
• Maastricht Treaty 1991= commitment to full intergration --> common currency…