Political Issues in Britain Today

British politics has been revolutionized in between 1988 and 1998 by two major factors: the hegemony of Thatcherism for 18 years; and the current dominance of what some say is variant - Blairism - forged in opposition and enthroned in government since May 1997. Thatcherism introduced radical new imperatives for all levels and functions of government and a stern, often disapproving attitude towards Britain's European partners. Blair has retained the economic thrust of Thatcher but is...
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British politics has been revolutionized in between 1988 and 1998 by two major factors: the hegemony of Thatcherism for 18 years; and the current dominance of what some say is variant - Blairism - forged in opposition and enthroned in government since May 1997. Thatcherism introduced radical new imperatives for all levels and functions of government and a stern, often disapproving attitude towards Britain's European partners. Blair has retained the economic thrust of Thatcher but is more co-operative on Europe and unquenchably "modernizing" on everything else. This volume addresses key political issues which occupy the government and opposition, including: Blair's style of government, the philosophy of the welfare state and the question of its reform, policy-making in the oppressed local government sector, law and order, reform of the voting system, the effect of EU membership on British politics, the much criticized monarchy, privatization, the environment, education, standards in public life, the politics of the health service, and the usefulness as well as the reform of the House of Lords. This edition contains 10 freshly written chapters.