1979–83: Thatcher in Government

Abstract

Chris Patten once said of Mrs Thatcher: ‘She’s the only party leader I can think of, certainly in the post-war period, who’s been more radical in government than in opposition’.¹ Overtime, in social policy this remark has certainly been proved true. Education, local government, housing and to some extent social security have all seen major changes — not just of organisation but also of philosophy: only in health, prior to 1989, did the radical spirit make little headway. Indeed, some of the changes — for instance in the powers of local government or the control of education — were probably not even contemplated by Mrs Thatcher when she came to office in 1979.