We are Thatcherites now, but we are also Blairites!

David Cameron said on the radio this morning that "in a sense we are all Thatcherites now". His argument is basically that she forged a new political consensus. 

My twitter feed predictably exploded in total agreement (from the right) or total disagreement (from the left). My initial response was to think that it is not that simple (as is often the case)

So what is thatcherism? 

Wikipedia quotes Nigel Lawson as listing the Thatcherite ideals as:
Free markets, financial discipline, firm control over public expenditure, tax cuts, nationalism, 'Victorian values' (of the Samuel Smiles self-help variety), privatisation and a dash of populism.

These were expressed through the following signature policies:
Supply Side economics
European Single Market (Single European Act 1986)
Right to Buy  (Housing Act 1980)
Ending the miners strike (1984-85) / Trade Union Act 1984
Privatisation of British Petroleum, British Airways, British Aerospace, British Gas, Rover Group, British Steel, British Telecom, Rolls-Royce, Water boards

Whilst the Right to Buy has been amended significantly, none of the policies were overturned in the 13 years of Labour government - it is true to say that she forged a new political consensus.

But those 13 years of Labour have also changed the consensus.

The achievements of the Blair government included:
Minimum wage
Tuition fees for undergraduates
Devolution to Scotland, Wales and London
Support for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars
Independence for the Bank of England
Civil Partnerships 

Since the end of the Labour government in 2010, none of those policies have been reversed. Indeed, tuition fees and civil partnerships could be said to have been extended by the current government. Even if the Conservatives were in power by themselves, i doubt they would overturn any of the above (although they probably would significantly amend the minimum wage legislation). Tony Blair could then also be said to have forged a new political consensus.

I obviously haven't analysed every policy of the Thatcher and Blair governments, nor referred to the Major and Brown governments.

But if, in a sense, we are all Thatcherites now, we are also Blairites now. 

And that is just as likely to upset my twitter friends :)