WE’RE ALRIGHT
An Alternate History
By
Alfie J Steer
An Alternate History
By
Alfie J Steer
Chapter One
Rallies and Soapboxes
(Taken from “The Black Year: The Two Elections of 1992” By Andrew Marr, Random House 2003)
“…The 1992 General Elections is considered one of the most exciting and dramatic in British political history. It was an election of spin, sensationalism and scandal, of huge political rallies and small soapbox campaigns. It was the final showdown between Labour and Conservatives when the results were truly in doubt. It was an election that saw the death throes of Thatcherism, the fall of Neil Kinnock and the rebirth of the Liberals.
The Conservative Party entered the first election in April 1992 with uncertainty but confidence. They had held government since 1979 and their new leader John Major really gave the party hope for a fourth unprecedented electoral victory.
Labour, led by Neil Kinnock had undergone huge modernization since his election as leader in 1983 and despite losing the previous election in 1987, was confident of a slim Labour majority this time around. This was seen as his last chance, the Labour campaign became air tight, and no gaffes were allowed.
The April election was the Liberal Democrats first as a united party since merging between the Liberals and SDP. Its leader Paddy Ashdown was already in dire straits following a disappointing number of opinion polls and by-election results. He was determined to raise their support as a major force in Parliament and not an irrelevant third party.
Then, on the evening of 1st April 1992, the Labour Party held a huge American style rally in Sheffield Arena. The huge crowd cheered and applauded the “government in waiting” as they took to the stage, led by Neil Kinnock, who chose to be relaxed but reserved to ensure he didn’t slip up. He greeted the crowd and delivered his “Vision for Britain” speech, a speech considered a turning point in the election as opinion polls increased in Labour’s favour…”
(Taken from “The Decline and Fall of Thatcherism” By Tim Bale, Harper Collins 1999)
“…As the people of Britain entered the polling stations on 9th April 1992 there was a huge sense of uncertainty of just what the result would be. Labour were confident of a slim majority, the Conservatives hoped for at least a hung parliament, the Liberal Democrats hoped for an increase of seats, ones which would put them on the centre stage of British politics and Paddy Ashdown as a possible Prime Minister.
After one of the longest election nights in history without a clear forecast, the election results came through. It was greeted by surprise and despair, disbelief and overwhelming joy. It was one of the first election nights when victory parties were held for both the Tories and Labour, despite uncertainty still hanging in the air. On the morning of April 10th the results became clear.
The results of the April 1992 General Election were:
Conservative*: 314 (-61)
Labour: 290 (+61)
Liberal Democrat: 23 (+1)
Ulster Unionist: 9 (NC)
SDLP: 4 (+1)
Plaid Cyrmu: 4 (+1)
Democratic Unionist: 3 (NC)
SNP: 3 (NC)
Ulster Popular Unionist: 1 (NC)
*Conservative short by 12 seats of an overall majority…”
(Taken from “My Life” By Neil Kinnock, Penguin books 2012)
“…The election was a huge shock and disappointment for me. I couldn’t believe it, Major had held onto first place. We have made huge gains but not remotely enough to even be the largest party for a minority or coalition. I began talks with Paddy Ashdown but we both knew it was hopeless; the Tories would form a minority government with support from the UUP. I was gutted, not only for me but for the people that had voted and relied on us. I had failed as leader and would be pay the price for it.
As the deal between the UUP and Tories was struck and Major formed his new government, I tendered my resignation as leader of the Labour Party. I knew the government wouldn’t last long, but I knew that I wouldn’t either. I had led the party for nine years, through two general election defeats. I was tired and had had enough. I believed John could go all the way.
I was right…”
(Taken from “The Short History of Major’s Minority Government” By Peter Hennessy, Random House 2003)
“…The Tories had just survived the election and formed a minority government, with support from the Ulster Unionists. John Major was relieved but concerned about what the future held. It seemed almost certain that another election would have to be held by the end of the year. It was just a question of if they could hold on in the polls, and whether Labour was ready to take them on.
By June that year the first Labour leadership election since Tony Benn’s challenge in 1988 was about to begin…”
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