A Criminal Record? Law, Order and Conservative Policy

Abstract

There is no denying the central role played by the ‘law and order ticket’ as the Conservative agenda for Britain emerged in the late 1970s. The Conservatives, of course, had for many years previous to that been regarded as the ‘party of law and order’, but Thatcher’s campaign lifted that banner to new heights as the 1979 General Election approached. An image was painted of a Britain which was increasingly lawless, with rising crime rates, industrial unrest and political protest presented as related indicators of a deep malaise affecting the country. As the above statement makes clear, new strategies for law and order were placed alongside fundamental changes in the state’s relationship with economy as the two main pillars of the General Election campaign.

The demand in the country will be for two things: less tax and more law and order. (Margaret Thatcher, 28 March 1979)