I suppose if they had gone into the election with a different leader besides Heath. Maybe have du Cann's challenge in 1975 be successful?
Indeed. What about Thatcher, Heath's Science Minister? Do you think she could have successfully challenged him
I doubt it - a woman leading a political party in the 1970's - especially to victory? We only saw Labour elect a female leader around a decade ago with Kate Hoey; and even then she lost the next General Election.
Indeed. But in her defense, she was a better Prime Minister than Andrew Hunter!
He still managed to defeat her in 2007 though.
On another note: would the economy improve under Conservative leadership? By 1982, unemployment surpassed 10%, and Callaghan barely survived that Vote of No Confidence .
If we're going by an Edward du Cann premiership, then I imagine things would be just as bad or even worse. Healey might have made some tough cuts, but du Cann's Tory Party would go far beyond that and I can't see the One Nation wing (they're not going to disappear into thin air) standing for it for too long. At best, du Cann serves 3-4 years as Prime Minister before the knives are drawn with overwhelming public approval.
Callaghan survived because he recovered his reputation after the 'Bonfire of the Bennites' at the '81 conference and the PLP knew it'd be suicide for them to throw Callaghan under the bus. Du Cann would have no analogous event as I can think of, but the economy will still tank and the public will feel the cuts even deeper.
Indeed. The economy did recover, however, under Whitelaw
How about a 1978 PoD where Shadow Education Minister Margaret Thatcher became Tory leader?
I doubt it - a woman leading a political party in the 1970's - especially to victory?
How about a 1978 PoD where Shadow Education Minister Margaret Thatcher became Tory leader?
Well, something "miraculous" always happenes. You know, a couple of butterflies...Thatcher the milk snatcher? Naah can't see that ever running!
Well, something "miraculous" always happenes. You know, a couple of butterflies...