Concluding Thoughts

Abstract

Although conclusions about Thatcherism as an historical phenomenon may be premature while Mrs Thatcher is still in power, it is possible to look at the 1983–7 administration in its political and ideological context. Mrs Thatcher’s own domination of government and impetus behind its policy direction was a salient feature. The use of Cabinet committees to devolve power away from full Cabinet; the appointment of permanent secretaries if not overtly sympathetic then at least not hostile to Thatcherism; the constant re-shuffles of Cabinet and junior ministers; the appeal to Conservative party grass roots opinion against internal critics; the use of the Number 10 press office to ‘create’ favourable news;¹ the use of ad hoc discussion groups where policy is made;² the importance of the Number 10 policy unit in providing information and advice; the institutional downgrading of the civil service;³ and the near total mastery of Prime Minister’s Question Time as a weapon for baiting the Labour Party, are all manifestations of the Thatcher style of Prime Ministerial government. Without such techniques of wielding power, Thatcherism in policy terms would have been stunted and ineffectual.