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12 Dec 2025

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Modern Britain History: The Labour Governments - AQA A Level Revision Notes

K

Kate Rutherford

@katerutherford_eltd

Tony Blair transformed Labour into "New Labour" by ditching traditional... Show more

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The Labour Governments
Blair as leader, character and ideology
New type of Lab politician - Father had been a Tory supporter + didn't join u

Blair's Leadership and New Labour Revolution

Blair wasn't your typical Labour politician - his Tory-supporting father and privileged background actually helped him drag Labour away from its working-class roots. He knew Labour needed to appeal to middle-class voters to win elections, so he teamed up with Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson to create "New Labour".

Blair was brilliant with the media and made politics feel accessible. He appeared on non-political TV shows, wore casual clothes, supported Newcastle United, and famously called Princess Diana the "people's princess" - which shot his popularity to 93%. This down-to-earth image worked perfectly against the stuffy royal family.

The controversial bit? Blair kept most of Thatcher's policies, including trade union reforms and privatisation. His "Third Way" approach said it didn't matter who ran services - state or private companies - as long as they were high quality. Critics argued he'd sold out traditional Labour values, but Blair was so paranoid about losing that he maintained strict media control.

Key Point: Blair's transformation of Labour was so successful that the Conservatives couldn't win an election for 13 years.

The Labour Governments
Blair as leader, character and ideology
New type of Lab politician - Father had been a Tory supporter + didn't join u

Constitutional Shake-Up: Devolution and Reform

Blair's government didn't just copy Thatcher - they revolutionised how Britain was governed through devolution. Scotland was furious about being ruled by Conservatives they'd never voted for (the Tories had zero Scottish MPs by 1997), so Labour promised referendums on self-rule.

The results were dramatic. Scotland voted for its own parliament with tax-raising powers, Wales got a weaker assembly, and the Good Friday Agreement (1998) devolved power to Northern Ireland. London got an elected mayor in 1999, though Blair was so worried about "loony left" Ken Livingstone that he blocked him as Labour candidate - only for Livingstone to win as an independent anyway!

Ironically, devolution didn't kill off nationalist parties like expected - the SNP and Plaid Cymru actually got stronger. Plans for English regional assemblies died after the North East overwhelmingly rejected them in 2004.

Other reforms included cutting hereditary peers in the House of Lords to just 92 (a messy compromise nobody liked) and the Roy Jenkins Commission on electoral reform - though Blair ignored their recommendation to ditch first-past-the-post voting.

Remember: Devolution was meant to kill nationalism but actually strengthened it - be ready to explain this irony in exams.

The Labour Governments
Blair as leader, character and ideology
New type of Lab politician - Father had been a Tory supporter + didn't join u


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Stefan S

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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

History

183

12 Dec 2025

3 pages

Modern Britain History: The Labour Governments - AQA A Level Revision Notes

K

Kate Rutherford

@katerutherford_eltd

Tony Blair transformed Labour into "New Labour" by ditching traditional socialist policies and embracing some Thatcherite ideas. His government (1997-2007) brought major constitutional changes, improved public services, and achieved peace in Northern Ireland through the Good Friday Agreement.

The Labour Governments
Blair as leader, character and ideology
New type of Lab politician - Father had been a Tory supporter + didn't join u

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

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Blair's Leadership and New Labour Revolution

Blair wasn't your typical Labour politician - his Tory-supporting father and privileged background actually helped him drag Labour away from its working-class roots. He knew Labour needed to appeal to middle-class voters to win elections, so he teamed up with Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson to create "New Labour".

Blair was brilliant with the media and made politics feel accessible. He appeared on non-political TV shows, wore casual clothes, supported Newcastle United, and famously called Princess Diana the "people's princess" - which shot his popularity to 93%. This down-to-earth image worked perfectly against the stuffy royal family.

The controversial bit? Blair kept most of Thatcher's policies, including trade union reforms and privatisation. His "Third Way" approach said it didn't matter who ran services - state or private companies - as long as they were high quality. Critics argued he'd sold out traditional Labour values, but Blair was so paranoid about losing that he maintained strict media control.

Key Point: Blair's transformation of Labour was so successful that the Conservatives couldn't win an election for 13 years.

The Labour Governments
Blair as leader, character and ideology
New type of Lab politician - Father had been a Tory supporter + didn't join u

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Constitutional Shake-Up: Devolution and Reform

Blair's government didn't just copy Thatcher - they revolutionised how Britain was governed through devolution. Scotland was furious about being ruled by Conservatives they'd never voted for (the Tories had zero Scottish MPs by 1997), so Labour promised referendums on self-rule.

The results were dramatic. Scotland voted for its own parliament with tax-raising powers, Wales got a weaker assembly, and the Good Friday Agreement (1998) devolved power to Northern Ireland. London got an elected mayor in 1999, though Blair was so worried about "loony left" Ken Livingstone that he blocked him as Labour candidate - only for Livingstone to win as an independent anyway!

Ironically, devolution didn't kill off nationalist parties like expected - the SNP and Plaid Cymru actually got stronger. Plans for English regional assemblies died after the North East overwhelmingly rejected them in 2004.

Other reforms included cutting hereditary peers in the House of Lords to just 92 (a messy compromise nobody liked) and the Roy Jenkins Commission on electoral reform - though Blair ignored their recommendation to ditch first-past-the-post voting.

Remember: Devolution was meant to kill nationalism but actually strengthened it - be ready to explain this irony in exams.

The Labour Governments
Blair as leader, character and ideology
New type of Lab politician - Father had been a Tory supporter + didn't join u

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

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Most popular content in History

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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user