In relation to UK politics, explain what is meant by the term the 'New Right'. [5 marks]

The New Right derives from more right-wing politics across the globe which was born during the 1980s. Margret Thatcher is known as the principal leader of the New Right movement in the UK who advocated its adherence. However, many others such as Ronald Reagan are also associated with the movement. The New Right derives from more right wing politics compared to the more traditional One Nation conservatism. The New Right believed in privatisation and having a limited welfare state. For example, the New Right, in the UK, inspired such moves as the 'Housing Act of 1980' which saw the government sell council houses to tenants at a discounted rate of 50-70%. This allowed the government to have less involvement in housing; advocating little government whilst also being able to raise funds effectively. Often the New Right in the UK is referred to as 'Thatcherism' after the Prime Minister of the day, Margret Thatcher. The New Right is often paired with strong and strict leadership which Thatcher embodied which gave rise to the 'wets and the drys' with the former being associated with weak One Nation conservatism.