1. Why did New Labour win in 1997?
Learning objectives:
Describe New Labour policies in 1997.
Evaluate the different factors which led to Labour’s victory: Blair, Tory weaknesses, popular policies, etc.

2. Excellent video resources on the Labour Party, 1979–1995
1995 BBC series: The Wilderness Years (available on YouTube) goes over the history of Labour.

3. Tony Blair – charismatic?
Labour Party political broadcast:
How is Blair presented?
How might this have appealed to voters?

4. Policies
Did Clause IV make a difference? – Newsnight report on the 1995 conference which goes over the changes to Labour – EXCELLENT ONE TO WATCH!
Annotate your version of the pledge card.

5. Labour’s pledge card for the 1997 election
Cut class sizes to 30 or under for 5, 6 and 7-year-olds by using money from the assisted places scheme.
Fast-track punishment for persistent young offenders by halving the time from arrest to sentencing.
Cut NHS waiting lists by treating an extra 100,000 patients as a first step by releasing £100 million saved from NHS red tape.
Get 250,000 under-25-year-olds off benefits and into work by using money from a windfall levy on privatised utilities.
No rise in income tax rates, cut VAT on heating to 5% and inflation and interest rates as low as possible.

6. “Team Blair”
Use p158 of Lynch and the photocopy of Marr to find evidence of Labour aides/supporters and how they helped in the election.
Include:
Alastair Campbell
Peter Mandelson
Greg Dyke
Homework task – complete for next lesson. Also, finish anything not done from today.

7. Results day Record the details of Labour’s win.
How did the other parties get on?
What tactical voting took place?
What was the significance of Labour’s win?

8. Significance of factors
Add a comment but make sure this is VERY brief.

9. This contributed to Labour’s victory because …
Reason
This contributed to Labour’s victory because …
Ranking
Conservative splits over Europe inc. impact of Referendum Party
Accusations of Tory sleaze
Memories of Black Wednesday
Attitude of the national press
Labour’s discipline and organisation
Labour’s policy messages
Blair’s leadership of the party
Anti-Conservative tactical voting