Ideology and Ministerial Allocation in the Major Government 1992–1997

Bibliographic Data

ID6353607
AuthorsTimothy Heppell (0000-0001-9851-6993)
Year2005
Volume25
Issue3
Pages144-152
Publication date2005-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePolitics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0032-3268 • E-ISSN: 1467-9256
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1111/j.1467-9256.2005.00239.x
OpenAlexW2025158789
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited7

This article evaluates the allocation of ministerial portfolios according to ideological disposition within the Major government of 1992–1997. By examining the ideological attitudes of Conservative parliamentarians towards three ideological variables – economic policy, European policy and social, sexual and moral policy – it will analyse the ideological balance of the government vis-à-vis the Parliamentary Conservative Party (PCP); the ideological disposition of those departing and entering government; and the ideological profile of the ministers appointed to the ‘key’ ministerial positions. The article will demonstrate the following: first, the Thatcherite ‘right’ were underrepresented at ministerial level, whilst the Tory ‘left’ secured a level of ministerial representation disproportionate to their numerical strength within the PCP; second, this was despite the fact that the process of ministerial appointments and departures gradually enhanced the representation of the Thatcherite ‘right’ of the PCP at the expense of the Tory ‘left’; and finally, the ‘perception’ amongst the Thatcherite ‘right’ was that they were being marginalised in terms of the key ministries of state

Coalition government · Economics · Government (linguistics · Ideology · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Representation (politics · Sociology · Thatcherism · Law · Political and Economic history of UK and US · Public Administration

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