The Major Premiership : Politics and Policies under John Major, 1990–97

This book examines the politics and policies of the Major governments from 1990 to 1997. It examines how and why the Major governments sought to reform the civil service, local government, education, social security, and industrial relations, and the extent to which such reform constituted a continuation of Thatcherism.

Introduction: John Major: One of Us?; P.Dorey Chaos or Cohesion? John Major and the Parliamentary Conservative Party; P.Cowley A Permanent Revolution in Whitehall: The Major Governments and the Civil Service; K.Theakston Centralization and Fragmentation: John Major and the Reform of Local Government; J.Kingdom A Return to the Philosophy of Consultation? The Major Premiership and Organized Interests; R.Baggott & V.McGregor-Riley Strategic Errors and/or Structural Binds? John Major and Europe; D.Wincott, J.Buller & C.Hay Renewed Hope for Peace? John Major and Northern Ireland; C.Norton Defender of the Union: John Major and Devolution; J. BarryJones The 3Rs; Reform, Reproach and Rancour: Education Policies under John Major; P.Dorey Rolling Back the (Welfare) State: The Major Governments and Social Security Reform; M.Hill No Return to Beer and Sandwiches: Industrial Relations and Employment Policies under John Major; P.Dorey The Limits of Likeability: John Major and Public Opinion; D.Broughton Despair and Disillusion Abound: The Major Premiership in Perspective; P.Dorey Bibliography Chronology Index