DV
1987 General Election
Friday 5 October
9.00am-9.05pm BBC PARLIAMENT
www.bbc.co.uk/parliament
Twenty years on, BBC Parliament gives viewers the chance to relive the 1987 General Election which swept Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Government back to power for a third successive term in office.
The run-up to the election was not without its troubles for the Conservatives. Serious strikes – the miners in 1984 and then the print dispute at Wapping – were particularly bitter, and cabinet resignations also left their mark.
Thatcher herself highlighted the importance of the resignation of Michael Heseltine and of Leon Brittan over the Westland affair in 1986, when she told staff ahead of a parliamentary debate: "From six o'clock today I may no longer be Prime Minister." Needless to say, she weathered the storm.
Labour attempted to re-group after the low of the 1983 campaign and 41-year-old Neil Kinnock was elected leader once Michael Foot stepped down. Kinnock embarked on a thorough attempt to set Labour's house in order. Policies were reconsidered, presentation improved – the Red Flag was ditched in favour of the Red Rose – and the "wild men" of the militant tendency were dealt with.
However, the unilateralist defence policy still remained a weakness for Labour, while the Alliance was having its own troubles staying united, with the Liberal part much more in sympathy with Labour on defence and the SDP part much more akin to the Conservatives.
David Dimbleby presents the BBC's 12-hour Election 1987 results programme from Thursday 11 June 1987, featuring Peter Snow's computer battleground, analysis from Anthony King and Ivor Crewe, and interviews by Sir Robin Day with leading political figures and commentators.
Friday 5 October
9.00am-9.05pm BBC PARLIAMENT
www.bbc.co.uk/parliament
Twenty years on, BBC Parliament gives viewers the chance to relive the 1987 General Election which swept Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Government back to power for a third successive term in office.
The run-up to the election was not without its troubles for the Conservatives. Serious strikes – the miners in 1984 and then the print dispute at Wapping – were particularly bitter, and cabinet resignations also left their mark.
Thatcher herself highlighted the importance of the resignation of Michael Heseltine and of Leon Brittan over the Westland affair in 1986, when she told staff ahead of a parliamentary debate: "From six o'clock today I may no longer be Prime Minister." Needless to say, she weathered the storm.
Labour attempted to re-group after the low of the 1983 campaign and 41-year-old Neil Kinnock was elected leader once Michael Foot stepped down. Kinnock embarked on a thorough attempt to set Labour's house in order. Policies were reconsidered, presentation improved – the Red Flag was ditched in favour of the Red Rose – and the "wild men" of the militant tendency were dealt with.
However, the unilateralist defence policy still remained a weakness for Labour, while the Alliance was having its own troubles staying united, with the Liberal part much more in sympathy with Labour on defence and the SDP part much more akin to the Conservatives.
David Dimbleby presents the BBC's 12-hour Election 1987 results programme from Thursday 11 June 1987, featuring Peter Snow's computer battleground, analysis from Anthony King and Ivor Crewe, and interviews by Sir Robin Day with leading political figures and commentators.
