Acknowledging the limits of Thatcherism : Housing policies during the Major years

This paper first outlines the changing housing market that John Major inherited when he came to power in the United Kingdom, in November 1990. Indeed, after a few years of uninterrupted boom the market faltered and went into recession. It then reviews some of the housing policies implemented by the John Major government, and considers whether these mark a shift away from Thatcherite housing policies. It suggests that, paradoxically, John Major pressed on with many of his predecessor’s policies despite them having brought about the housing crisis and being discredited. However, it argues that the last years of the government saw a change in policy. The government was faced with the consequences of his predecessor’s policies and forced to act on them. These new priorities paved the way for his successor’s policies