@TheMarlinspike Lol why so angry? I thought you'd get the kicks out of seeing the northern communities ravaged by Thatcher. But then you Tories worship Thatcher like a demigod, and yet you kicked her out by stabbing her in the back. Cameron became so desperate to win he pandered to the left and had to move to the left to get back in, and even then he utterly failed, He will do what Tories have always done, cut, cut, and raise and raise, and slash and burn, using little Liberals as a shield
@Lab356 The "cutting" you refer to is because Labour spent 13 years and ran a deficit during the boom years, so that when the global financial crisis came, it hit us worse than it should have done.
The country is always left in a mess after Labour - look at history, there is not one exception. I feel for the Tories, as they get the bad press for having to clean the shit up.
@Lab356 PS the "northern communitites" you generalise about need to get off their fat arses and realise the world does not owe them a living. There are millions of Chinese and Indians who can do the job better and cheaper they can, and if they cannot adapt, that's just tough luck.
@TheMarlinspike As a socialist I promote immigration, it's you right wingers that feel the need to put a cap on it. The northern communities of the 1980s were affected by industrial decline in the mining and ship making industries, you make the mistake of comparing the current situation of the 80s to today, of course it's not the same, but Thatcher didn't help by putting 800,000 on the bloody benefits in the first place
Right so if the South's tourist industry is closed down by the government because France is outperforming us, and unemployment plagues Kent and Sussex and the likes, if we were to complain then by rights we should get off our arses and 'find work', despite the fact that the unemployed to available jobs ratio would be massive....
@TheMarlinspike You haul him over the coals about generalising, yet you've just generalised yourself. The North is nowhere near as bad as the media makes out.
13 years of a Labour government, and we are in serious debt, rising unemployment, people on strike and a return to the 1970's. Dont let them take your vote for granted, watch the good years under Thatcher and remember we can be great again.
Used, I believe, in every BBC election night programme since 1979, with the exception of 2001. It returned in 2005 and is likely to be used again this year.
@nuffydude1994 I care about the size of the majority; not really about who wins; we have to get to a stage where the Commons can scrutinise whole bills
Unfortunately i think the Tories will win the next election however i dont think they will get an overall majority - an awful lot of people dont Trust Cameron or Brown for that matter
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Thatcher destroyed the manufacturing base of the UK, and the mining base. Well done you slag, you sold us out to the MONEY MEN who have made us beholden to CHINA who can determine if this country lives or dies. CONGRATULATIONS and DIE SOON you EVIL SLAG.
It's probably more to do with the fact that Cameron will say anything that's likely to get him elected, despite the fact that the core of the Conservative Party, its very soul, has not changed one iota in the twelve and a half years they have been out of power. And what's all this talk of "progressive Conservatism" from the Bullingdon Boy, Eton Dave? It's a literal oxymoron for crying out loud...
Why should the Conservative party change "it's very soul?" You wouldn't expect Labour or Lib Dems to change their "very soul" because they lost an election.
.Of course Cameron will say anything to get elected, it's what politicians do, except for compariatively honest ones like the BNP, single-issue candidates who have stood on principle. Which is why they fail, the brainwashed public don't like to think too much. As a lover of accuracy ( or pedantry, you choose) I love you pointing out that "progressive Conservatism is oxymoronical.
I would have just have crudely remarked that political gobshites are ruining the language as well as the country. I found this when looking for any clips of Old Leftie tramp Micheal Foot dumping his wreath at the cenotaph wearing an old duffle coat and sweater. Like Broon today, who didn't bow his head one millimetre, thus betraying his contempt for those who serve, including those who died in he and B-Liar's wars of Liberal Imposition.
Nice one! I like your style, it evinces an irony that some of our friends across the pond seem neither to possess nor even begin to comprehend. My apologies - I assumed that YOU were American. Well, I was half right - you may NOT be American - but you ARE an idiot... Only joking, by the way - it's just that, two months from the posting to which you replied, your subversion of my statement that "progressive Conservatism" is an oxymoron lacks the wit with which I have come to associate you...
That's the problem with internet communication. Identifying the tone of voice is an integral part in identfying the use of sarcasm, but unfortunately, I cannot ascertain whether you are being sarcastic. I must stop engaging in prolixity. However, I do like to utilise every opportunity to demonstrate my perspicacity and sagacity.
Indeed you do, Squire - and very ably you demonstrate those qualities as well Guv'nor. Now you see, even THAT could be construed as irony, given that as you rightly point out it's difficult to infer irony accurately from the written word, unless it's blatant. Indeed, I like your prolixity and locquaciousness, however I don't want to come across as being unnecessarily tautological, if indeed that isn't a tautology in of itself, or even a tautological tautology...
Apologies - in my most recent comment I meant to use the word 'sarcasm', as you had done previously. Sarcasm IS difficult to ascertain via the written word, wheras its more sophisticated and erudite cousin, irony, can often be more deducable, depending on the way in which it's presented...
why? because we diddnt elect the pro communist unilatertal disarmament party? of course, leave the Russians with their weapons so they can threaten us. we needed someone strong on defence and we got one, i thought people wanted strong government
The Russians have still got their weapons but they are now spread between a variety of different regimes. The Uk still has no control over its nuclear arsenal. That is still in the hands of the USA. What you got was spin and more spin. The Thatcher regime claimed to be anti Europe and yet the UK was taken further and further in to Europe. It claimed to be against the nanny state and yet under Thatcher there were more people claiming benefits than ever before. Explain.
if you honestly believe that a government/regime to use your word of pure socialism under Michael Foot was any good alternative, particularly when they were proposing you tell them everything about your life and then having arthur scargill hold a knife at your throat for trying to work, then there is no point in explaining, is there.
The set looks like the Enterprise in Next Generation. Everything had to be space age then.
This election result was surprising. All the chants of 'Maggie Maggie Maggie out out out' we thought would have been the end of her, but she went on and even won again in '87. Unbelievable but she did alot of good things for this country and set a good example.
Not all coalitions are weak; both sides have to compromise. They're also more commonplace than you think. Dozens of local councils across the UK are governed by coalition, we've already seen them in Scotland and Wales, and we now have in Northern Ireland what we never thought we'd see: the DUP and Sinn Fein in coalition. And they're still there a year in. Disabuse yourself of this notion that the sky must fall in with a coalition government: it often doesn't.
The 1983 election should have been even worse for Labour....the Tories had Thatcher decided to go to the polls in 1982 the Majority could have been 200!
agreed I think Foot's Manifesto was described 'the longest suicide not in history' extreme socialism does not and will never have a place in British politics
Does the UK have instant run off voting? It would seem that the Lib Dems and Labour would both benifit from IRV. We Yanks don't have IRV. If we had than Ralph Nader wouldn't have spoiled Florida and we could have avoid George Bush's 8 year mess.
nintendolad - you are correct. If no single party has a majority over all the others put together then we have a hung parliament and the largest party needs to try to 'do a deal' with smaller parties to gain the majority.
The last time this happened was in the first election in 1974. However, there were major problems and a second election was called a few months later where Labour won with an overall majority.
The Lib/Lab use it in their leadership elections but over here, in a general election we use first past the post. UK is far too indecisive for things such as IRV.
No we don't (but we should). It is used in Northern Ireland for Assembly and Council elections, and Scotland for council elections. Scotland and Wales use AMS (constituancies with a list used to maintiain proportionality) for assembly elctions. I don't know what the London Assembly uses but directly elected English mayors use suplimentary vote (designed to keep the Conservatives out, honestly). Some may be a bit confused as instant run-off is usually called STV here
The STV system works in nations with decisve populations. Ours isn't. You'd always be having coalitions which means longer for stuff to pass or no chance of radical reforms when they are needed.
Wolverhampton1 -you say Gordon Brown will sort out the economy! Are you insane? Brown will not- he is the one, along with Blair that has brought the nation to its knees. The way things are going there will be little chance of Labour getting re-elected. I cant wait to wave goodbye to Labour in 2010 and not a moment too soon and back to the Tories, whom, although they will have to be ruthless in sorting this mess out, will sort the economy out and keep Labour out of power for another 20 years.
Endlessrain - you say that the Conservatives total vote 'fell slightly' in 1983 from the number they received at the 1979 election. In fact, they got almost 700,000 votes less than 1979.
I think thats highly unlikely.Had he become leader at least half the shadow cabinet would have resigned and a significant number of mps would have defected to the SDP! Labour could have gone into terminal decline.
dartaddict - whilst I have alot of respect for Tony Benn as, like Thatcher, he didn't flip-flop at every tabloid headline. I personally found him to be way too left wing.
Denis Healey as leader and Benn as Deputy leader I reckon would have been a good bet. Foot was and is a great man but perhaps not everyone's idea of a Prime Minister. Healey and Benn could have balanced each other out, and if Healey had become leader then the MPs who broke away may not have done so. Pure conjecture of course but it's always good to think about!
I dare say the Tories will be making a comeback. However it wasn't the Tories that made those gains, it was Margaret Thatcher that made every single gain in those elections.
People forget how despised 'she' was before the war. She ruined many people's lives. Her government was the first government to purposely create an economic recession to teach the poor in the UK a 'lesson'. Foot was the only leader then that truly denounced that as cruel and vindictive, and the people agreed with him... That is up until she miraculously grew testes after the Falklands fiasco, then amazingly, people loved her again. Anyway my point is that if it wasn't for the war > labour lndsld
I agree although the Conservatives were recovering before the Falklands war so to were the Labour party it was pretty much a three way tie between Labour the conservatives and Alliance. I think without the Falklands war the election would have been a proper three way contest with all the parties in with a chance.
Very true, I mean the thing is, what the Fascist ditatorship in Argentina did to the Falklands was truely disgusting, but what should have happened was the matter being resolved through the UN. The war was a showboater for Maggie and her battered government. They were scared they would lose to Foot at the next election, sort of 1997 in the 80s. I remember it was Jim Callaghan who said he wished he had a war during his term in office, then he would have won in 1979. War=strength in public eye.
Indeed. It's a shame they're going to have to be heavy handed to fix Labour's mess but so be it. They have their heads screwed on much tighter thankfully.
It was first used in 1979, and has appeared om every election since, apart from 2001, where they used some boring unmemorable dirge instead. It was back for 2005.
The first time the BBC used this theme and the first time David Dimbleby hosted and Election Night. Finally following in the footsteps of his father Richard Dimbleby. I have no idea why they changed the theme in 2001, you can't improve on perfection. The version they used in 1987 & 1992 was the best though.
I don't think so, because this is the only one I dislike. i think the '79 one is quite elegant. This has mistakes in the production that are timeless.
The most remarkable thing about this clip is the contrast between the opening graphics and the actual BBC Election 83 set. The opening is so colorful, bright and borderline psychedelic. In contrast, the BBC set is the most drab, dull, and horribly boring "big" set ever devised.
I noticed that myself. The colours at the beginning though were those of the Conservatives, Labour, the SDP and the Liberal Democrats (in that order when the faces of each party leader come up.) Perhaps the set, being grey and cream was supposed to represent fairness and neutrality - if they put in the colours seen in the intro, it might be seen that they were favouring a particular party.
It probably doesn't have anything to do with it at all (apart from that this was the parliament that did away with it in state schools) but I just thought I'd point it out as background sociological information on the times!
I agree though - great music, great election and very significant times. A treat to watch!
Except worth remembering this was a time when many hands and backsides of young people were still caned and slippered quite legally in schools up and down the country.
Yeh, and I suppose now you've got lawlessness in classrooms, teachers being stabbed, security checks in schools "up and down the country", and failing students. All part of a brilliantly, bright and modern 21st Century!
Come on, the cane's role in the classroom had been a major cause of debate since at least the late 1960s, with many people being against it, it was only a few years after 1983 that it was actually abolished fully.
It's wierd seeing Peter Snow sitting behind a desk during an election programme rather running around excitedly and waving his arms about ;-) I think at the time, it was still very early days for computer graphics but also there was a much more serious tone about the way the whole programme was presented compared to nowadays. What would viewers from 1983 have made of Jeremy Vine's Wild West saloon graphics or Menzies Campbell as a rapper?
I wonder if they make more of an effort when they expect a change of government to take place. 1997 was a huge improvement on 92 and Vote 2001 was a bit... boring.
Thanks for the reply, ludocrat. Just wanted to ask: is the North of Britain still trailing behind the rest of the country? I did some internet searching on this question and it seems like North Britain can be compared to what we in the U.S. call the "Rustbelt" or the "backwoods"--places where there used to be a booming mfg. economy. But now unemployment, out-migration of young people, general despair, etc. True?
I am an American, and I noticed in this election (and subsequent ones) that the North of England went strongly pro-Labor while the southern part went almost solidly Conservative. I was wondering what caused such a sharp division at the time and if it still exists today.
Heavy industry in the large Midland, northern, Scottish and Welsh conurbations were hit very hard by the government's monetarist policies. Loss of subsidies for state-run, unmodernised, loss-making factories, mines, mills, steelworks and shipyards any more, the sector contracted by more than 30% in three years, with consequent concentrated high unemployment in those areas worst affected. Meanwhile a long term boom began in the south and rural areas, causing a deep polarisation of public opinion.
After this election, phase two of this administration's reforms began with mass privatisation and the curtailing of trade union power which was perceived to have harmed productivity in the 1970s. The order of the day was private enterprise, tax cuts, home ownership and the movement from an industrial to a post-industrial, tertiary economy. All these policies caused widespread controversy, particularly in those sections of society badly damaged by the painful dislocation of sudden unemployment.
Debate about the effects, scale, depth and necessity for these landscape-changing reforms rages on today, although it is arguable that the social and political divisions, often characterised by the simplistic slogan "North-South divide" are far less pronounced now than they were 20 years ago. They have by no means disappeared, however, as contemporary national voting patterns reveal.
"THIS . . . IS BBC-1"
AidanLunn 6 months ago
BEIGE! IT'S SO BEIGE!
wissam24 9 months ago
Very nice set!
fkfj16 11 months ago
now we can see where the styling from the austin montego came from... just look at that beige set..
alzeNL 1 year ago
Hard to believe I was born that year. Seems like a long time ago, actually it is lol.
ephabouyed 1 year ago
Happy days, a complete fucking drubbing for the pathetic socialist twats
TheMarlinspike 1 year ago
Comment removed
Lab356 1 year ago
Comment removed
Lab356 1 year ago
@TheMarlinspike Lol why so angry? I thought you'd get the kicks out of seeing the northern communities ravaged by Thatcher. But then you Tories worship Thatcher like a demigod, and yet you kicked her out by stabbing her in the back. Cameron became so desperate to win he pandered to the left and had to move to the left to get back in, and even then he utterly failed, He will do what Tories have always done, cut, cut, and raise and raise, and slash and burn, using little Liberals as a shield
Lab356 1 year ago
@Lab356 You mistook me for a Tory. Simple mistake if you're a tribal idiot.
I'm not a Tory, and have never voted for them - but that doesn't mean I don't hate socialists.
TheMarlinspike 1 year ago
@Lab356 The "cutting" you refer to is because Labour spent 13 years and ran a deficit during the boom years, so that when the global financial crisis came, it hit us worse than it should have done.
The country is always left in a mess after Labour - look at history, there is not one exception. I feel for the Tories, as they get the bad press for having to clean the shit up.
TheMarlinspike 1 year ago
@Lab356 PS the "northern communitites" you generalise about need to get off their fat arses and realise the world does not owe them a living. There are millions of Chinese and Indians who can do the job better and cheaper they can, and if they cannot adapt, that's just tough luck.
TheMarlinspike 1 year ago
@TheMarlinspike As a socialist I promote immigration, it's you right wingers that feel the need to put a cap on it. The northern communities of the 1980s were affected by industrial decline in the mining and ship making industries, you make the mistake of comparing the current situation of the 80s to today, of course it's not the same, but Thatcher didn't help by putting 800,000 on the bloody benefits in the first place
Lab356 1 year ago
@TheMarlinspike
Right so if the South's tourist industry is closed down by the government because France is outperforming us, and unemployment plagues Kent and Sussex and the likes, if we were to complain then by rights we should get off our arses and 'find work', despite the fact that the unemployed to available jobs ratio would be massive....
Marnerbanana 1 year ago
@TheMarlinspike You haul him over the coals about generalising, yet you've just generalised yourself. The North is nowhere near as bad as the media makes out.
AidanLunn 11 months ago
Comment removed
dartaddict 1 year ago
My god, David Dimbleby looks young in this! The titles look very of their time, too!
arwelp 1 year ago
@arwelp But the titles still look good though!
AidanLunn 1 year ago
They showed footage from this in an episode of "Ashes to Ashes" about a month ago. That was pretty cool.
GusF 1 year ago 3
The technical handovers seemed to go better in 1983 than they did in 2010!
Schnorbs 1 year ago 3
13 years of a Labour government, and we are in serious debt, rising unemployment, people on strike and a return to the 1970's. Dont let them take your vote for granted, watch the good years under Thatcher and remember we can be great again.
VOTE CONSERVATIVE TODAY
TheVote2010 1 year ago 3
say what you will it's recent history
dabbleduck 1 year ago
Two seats for Sir Cyril.
Applemask 1 year ago 2
jane busby you are a deluded fool
Barsider75 1 year ago
Why didn't Selina Scott stand for Prime Minister she's a babe!
dimgwalltameiben 1 year ago
@dimgwalltameiben
Aye she is gorgeous....and because its the 80s your garanteed a nice bit of muff aswell, lush....i think i need a lie down in a dark room ;)
Isthisthelongestname 1 year ago
Last time the Tories were in control during a recession we had 3 million unemployed and 15% interest rates.
The recession we're currently in is much much worse, yet we have significantly less unemployed and significantly lower interest rates.
The Tories are a nasty, elitest, corporate controlled party set on taxing the poor, cutting taxes for the rich and slashing public services.
janebusby 1 year ago
@janebusby you area deluded fool...or a marxist clown.
Barsider75 1 year ago
I love the visual effects used in the titles, no computers in sight :)
swr516 1 year ago
"Amazin electronic gagdetry"? That stuff is 27 years old! Get with the times Dimbleby!
vulnerabledonkey 1 year ago
Thanks for posting these archives, it's political junkie heaven!!!. And quite nostalgic to boot!!.
MrPRLOWE 1 year ago
Les Miserables!
NymphZoic68 1 year ago
2:45 - 'Right Honourable' my arse, try back stabbing bastard who would never be leader.
2:55 - Born loser.
Freddie1980 1 year ago 2
RIP Michael Foot.
I may not agree with any of what he stood for but at least he suck to his political beliefs - very unlike the wet lot in power now
madabbafan 1 year ago 24
he was great for the Tories....they blew out his party in 83, 87, and 92!
gopconservative78 1 year ago
he was also the wrost PM in history and brown comes 2nd
charlieiscool1000 1 year ago
whats the name of the intro song?
245sillybilly 2 years ago
@245sillybilly The song is Rick Wakeman- Arthur.
Used, I believe, in every BBC election night programme since 1979, with the exception of 2001. It returned in 2005 and is likely to be used again this year.
realwales 2 years ago
Its Rick Wakemans Arthur. Its been used in every election since 1979 apart from 2001 on the BBC
ColonelRoss111 1 year ago
tory by 25-40 seats
nuffydude1994 2 years ago
@nuffydude1994 I care about the size of the majority; not really about who wins; we have to get to a stage where the Commons can scrutinise whole bills
Oban277 2 years ago
Agreed 25-35 seats looks about right.
gopconservative78 2 years ago
This looks like the results for the 2010 General Election!
gopconservative78 2 years ago
nah the "Alliance" or the Lib Dems will beat Labour LOL
GeeGee3374 2 years ago
@gopconservative78 Look at the Polls - Cameron should get back to Eton quick!
floydsmedley 2 years ago
calm down....Cameron will pull it off...brown blows
gopconservative78 2 years ago
Unfortunately i think the Tories will win the next election however i dont think they will get an overall majority - an awful lot of people dont Trust Cameron or Brown for that matter
stewbhoy1980 2 years ago
Let's hope another similar result happens soon for the conservatives... and David Dimbleby so young!
KingCharlesI 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Thatcher destroyed the manufacturing base of the UK, and the mining base. Well done you slag, you sold us out to the MONEY MEN who have made us beholden to CHINA who can determine if this country lives or dies. CONGRATULATIONS and DIE SOON you EVIL SLAG.
rubbishycrap 2 years ago
1983 A fantastic night for the Conservative party lets hope Election 2010 will be just as fantastic for the Conservative party. "VOTE CONSERVATIVE"
MrTORYTOM 2 years ago 3
You need to get out more... ...Hmm, no, on reflection, you should stay in more, particularly on the day of the next UK general election...
KendoSaggyknackers 2 years ago
Comment removed
MrTORYTOM 2 years ago
It's probably more to do with the fact that Cameron will say anything that's likely to get him elected, despite the fact that the core of the Conservative Party, its very soul, has not changed one iota in the twelve and a half years they have been out of power. And what's all this talk of "progressive Conservatism" from the Bullingdon Boy, Eton Dave? It's a literal oxymoron for crying out loud...
KendoSaggyknackers 2 years ago
Why should the Conservative party change "it's very soul?" You wouldn't expect Labour or Lib Dems to change their "very soul" because they lost an election.
ajs41 2 years ago
Labour Did, that how there become New labour.
623058 2 years ago 3
.Of course Cameron will say anything to get elected, it's what politicians do, except for compariatively honest ones like the BNP, single-issue candidates who have stood on principle. Which is why they fail, the brainwashed public don't like to think too much. As a lover of accuracy ( or pedantry, you choose) I love you pointing out that "progressive Conservatism is oxymoronical.
Jigaboo123456 2 years ago
I would have just have crudely remarked that political gobshites are ruining the language as well as the country. I found this when looking for any clips of Old Leftie tramp Micheal Foot dumping his wreath at the cenotaph wearing an old duffle coat and sweater. Like Broon today, who didn't bow his head one millimetre, thus betraying his contempt for those who serve, including those who died in he and B-Liar's wars of Liberal Imposition.
Jigaboo123456 2 years ago
Whereas you are a waste of oxygen and a moron
Mickmars90 2 years ago
Whose comment are you replying to there, my good man?
KendoSaggyknackers 2 years ago
#Don't want to be an American idiot.#...
KendoSaggyknackers 2 years ago
You're American?
Mickmars90 2 years ago
Nice one! I like your style, it evinces an irony that some of our friends across the pond seem neither to possess nor even begin to comprehend. My apologies - I assumed that YOU were American. Well, I was half right - you may NOT be American - but you ARE an idiot... Only joking, by the way - it's just that, two months from the posting to which you replied, your subversion of my statement that "progressive Conservatism" is an oxymoron lacks the wit with which I have come to associate you...
KendoSaggyknackers 2 years ago
Perhaps I am a moron, but are you employing the noble art of sarcasm?
Mickmars90 2 years ago
Indeedy-doodly - I most certainly and verily am... ...Or am I?
KendoSaggyknackers 2 years ago
That's the problem with internet communication. Identifying the tone of voice is an integral part in identfying the use of sarcasm, but unfortunately, I cannot ascertain whether you are being sarcastic. I must stop engaging in prolixity. However, I do like to utilise every opportunity to demonstrate my perspicacity and sagacity.
Mickmars90 2 years ago
Indeed you do, Squire - and very ably you demonstrate those qualities as well Guv'nor. Now you see, even THAT could be construed as irony, given that as you rightly point out it's difficult to infer irony accurately from the written word, unless it's blatant. Indeed, I like your prolixity and locquaciousness, however I don't want to come across as being unnecessarily tautological, if indeed that isn't a tautology in of itself, or even a tautological tautology...
KendoSaggyknackers 2 years ago
Apologies - in my most recent comment I meant to use the word 'sarcasm', as you had done previously. Sarcasm IS difficult to ascertain via the written word, wheras its more sophisticated and erudite cousin, irony, can often be more deducable, depending on the way in which it's presented...
KendoSaggyknackers 2 years ago
Yeah lets u prick, David Cameron is like lift music u total fuckin bell
routebb 2 years ago
What the hell are you trying saying because i dont know .could you write in english next time.
MrTORYTOM 2 years ago
Dig that set!
ASKconard 2 years ago
fine night
ColonelRoss111 2 years ago
disastrous night
nasilemak2008 2 years ago
why? because we diddnt elect the pro communist unilatertal disarmament party? of course, leave the Russians with their weapons so they can threaten us. we needed someone strong on defence and we got one, i thought people wanted strong government
ColonelRoss111 2 years ago
The Russians have still got their weapons but they are now spread between a variety of different regimes. The Uk still has no control over its nuclear arsenal. That is still in the hands of the USA. What you got was spin and more spin. The Thatcher regime claimed to be anti Europe and yet the UK was taken further and further in to Europe. It claimed to be against the nanny state and yet under Thatcher there were more people claiming benefits than ever before. Explain.
nasilemak2008 2 years ago
if you honestly believe that a government/regime to use your word of pure socialism under Michael Foot was any good alternative, particularly when they were proposing you tell them everything about your life and then having arthur scargill hold a knife at your throat for trying to work, then there is no point in explaining, is there.
ColonelRoss111 2 years ago
the voting system in the uk goes against small parties because the sdp/liberal party had almost the same no of votes but far fewer seats
Dazwar4 2 years ago
Not a bad prediction at the start there. 144 was the final majority so not a bad guess.
Hodnux 2 years ago 6
Hesser looks younger there.
The set looks like the Enterprise in Next Generation. Everything had to be space age then.
This election result was surprising. All the chants of 'Maggie Maggie Maggie out out out' we thought would have been the end of her, but she went on and even won again in '87. Unbelievable but she did alot of good things for this country and set a good example.
Pulsar205 2 years ago 5
It's very rare that a sitting government increaces their majority at the following election.
madabbafan 2 years ago
wanna see my dad
0:24
the guy on the lowest step
his first time he could vote
he was 20 and voted for the liberal party
LANbritain 2 years ago
I'm amazed at how 70s the early 80s looked
Penko83 2 years ago 3
Lovely beige studio!
Nickthetoast 2 years ago 6
The Alliance whould have won this election. It was a disgrace that they won 25% of the vote and only 23 seats!
lelvish1 2 years ago
Huge majorities are very undesirable; parliament needs to be at the centre
Oban277 2 years ago
So you enjoy having weak coalitions where everyone has to bend over backwards and agree?
theredraven 2 years ago
Not all coalitions are weak; both sides have to compromise. They're also more commonplace than you think. Dozens of local councils across the UK are governed by coalition, we've already seen them in Scotland and Wales, and we now have in Northern Ireland what we never thought we'd see: the DUP and Sinn Fein in coalition. And they're still there a year in. Disabuse yourself of this notion that the sky must fall in with a coalition government: it often doesn't.
crazyclive 2 years ago
Gross music - but the BBC probably got it cheap. However, Valerie Singleton... WONDERFUL!
happylad65 2 years ago
The 1983 election should have been even worse for Labour....the Tories had Thatcher decided to go to the polls in 1982 the Majority could have been 200!
gopconservative78 2 years ago
agreed I think Foot's Manifesto was described 'the longest suicide not in history' extreme socialism does not and will never have a place in British politics
idlevice066 2 years ago
Looking at the history...I thought Thacher could of cut Labour to 100MP's in the 1983 election
gopconservative78 2 years ago
god i love the music
so 80s
LANbritain 2 years ago
Valerie SIngleton, that well-known political correspondant.
Schnorbs 2 years ago
I didn't know Minnie Mouse was a part of the BBC's coverage.
nintendolad 2 years ago
Does the UK have instant run off voting? It would seem that the Lib Dems and Labour would both benifit from IRV. We Yanks don't have IRV. If we had than Ralph Nader wouldn't have spoiled Florida and we could have avoid George Bush's 8 year mess.
bigfilmhat 2 years ago
I don't think we have a run-off. If its too close we have something called a "hung parliament". Don't quote me on that, best to research.
nintendolad 2 years ago
nintendolad - you are correct. If no single party has a majority over all the others put together then we have a hung parliament and the largest party needs to try to 'do a deal' with smaller parties to gain the majority.
The last time this happened was in the first election in 1974. However, there were major problems and a second election was called a few months later where Labour won with an overall majority.
madabbafan 2 years ago
The Lib/Lab use it in their leadership elections but over here, in a general election we use first past the post. UK is far too indecisive for things such as IRV.
theredraven 2 years ago
No we don't (but we should). It is used in Northern Ireland for Assembly and Council elections, and Scotland for council elections. Scotland and Wales use AMS (constituancies with a list used to maintiain proportionality) for assembly elctions. I don't know what the London Assembly uses but directly elected English mayors use suplimentary vote (designed to keep the Conservatives out, honestly). Some may be a bit confused as instant run-off is usually called STV here
davimurph 2 years ago
The STV system works in nations with decisve populations. Ours isn't. You'd always be having coalitions which means longer for stuff to pass or no chance of radical reforms when they are needed.
theredraven 2 years ago
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It was a shame that Thatcher won the election, my parents believe that Foot should have won, where are I believe that the Alliance should have won.
flametaledfox 3 years ago
Official Monster Raving Loony Party! Vote for insanity, you know it makes sense! 8D
GullibleKit 3 years ago 4
Wolverhampton1 -you say Gordon Brown will sort out the economy! Are you insane? Brown will not- he is the one, along with Blair that has brought the nation to its knees. The way things are going there will be little chance of Labour getting re-elected. I cant wait to wave goodbye to Labour in 2010 and not a moment too soon and back to the Tories, whom, although they will have to be ruthless in sorting this mess out, will sort the economy out and keep Labour out of power for another 20 years.
AKLAidan 3 years ago 5
I'm sure the people who were stamped on by the last Tory government may disagree with you .
flymogram 2 years ago
diference is this time we are all being stamped on by labour
dojj1968 2 years ago
Endlessrain - you say that the Conservatives total vote 'fell slightly' in 1983 from the number they received at the 1979 election. In fact, they got almost 700,000 votes less than 1979.
zephyruk 3 years ago
That isn't a huge amount considering the overall numbers.
theredraven 2 years ago
RICK WAKEMAN RULES KID.
billymazdin 3 years ago 3
If Tony Benn had been the leader of the Labour Party the Tories would have been hammered.
dartaddict 3 years ago
I think thats highly unlikely.Had he become leader at least half the shadow cabinet would have resigned and a significant number of mps would have defected to the SDP! Labour could have gone into terminal decline.
Svetlanka83 3 years ago 8
dartaddict - whilst I have alot of respect for Tony Benn as, like Thatcher, he didn't flip-flop at every tabloid headline. I personally found him to be way too left wing.
madabbafan 2 years ago 2
Denis Healey as leader and Benn as Deputy leader I reckon would have been a good bet. Foot was and is a great man but perhaps not everyone's idea of a Prime Minister. Healey and Benn could have balanced each other out, and if Healey had become leader then the MPs who broke away may not have done so. Pure conjecture of course but it's always good to think about!
flymogram 2 years ago
Foot's problem was that even though he was a genuine patriot, the going back to a veyr left wing style of government wasn't very appealing.
That and the Falklands factor, depiste the fact he was even more pro war then Maggie when he made speeches in the Commons.
theredraven 2 years ago
Also, Cheltenham went Lib Dem in 1992 and still in Lib Dem hands 17 years later!
Tories haven't done too well over years have they? All those lovely 1983 gains and holds all now in Labour and Lib Dem hands eh!
Tut tut Maggie........
Wolverhampton1 3 years ago
I dare say the Tories will be making a comeback. However it wasn't the Tories that made those gains, it was Margaret Thatcher that made every single gain in those elections.
Ikazi 3 years ago 12
For Now then in 2010 it will PM Cameron
gopconservative78 3 years ago 10
Guildford wewnt Lib Dem in 1997, narrowly gained back by Tories in 2005.
However Torbay went Lib Dem in 1997 and is still in Lib Dem hands 12 years later!
Wolverhampton1 3 years ago
These were the good old days. Life was so much simpler back then.
antidisenstable 3 years ago 2
Was there ever really a chance at a Foot government...or was his loss a forgone conclusion?
stevenson52 3 years ago 3
It would probably have been closer if not for the Falklands War
StrayGator 3 years ago 2
The falklands factor is a bit of a myth. People may not have felt so keen on Thatcher without it, but I doubt that many would have voted differently.
slimes23 3 years ago
People forget how despised 'she' was before the war. She ruined many people's lives. Her government was the first government to purposely create an economic recession to teach the poor in the UK a 'lesson'. Foot was the only leader then that truly denounced that as cruel and vindictive, and the people agreed with him... That is up until she miraculously grew testes after the Falklands fiasco, then amazingly, people loved her again. Anyway my point is that if it wasn't for the war > labour lndsld
053bss 3 years ago
I agree although the Conservatives were recovering before the Falklands war so to were the Labour party it was pretty much a three way tie between Labour the conservatives and Alliance. I think without the Falklands war the election would have been a proper three way contest with all the parties in with a chance.
Svetlanka83 3 years ago
Very true, I mean the thing is, what the Fascist ditatorship in Argentina did to the Falklands was truely disgusting, but what should have happened was the matter being resolved through the UN. The war was a showboater for Maggie and her battered government. They were scared they would lose to Foot at the next election, sort of 1997 in the 80s. I remember it was Jim Callaghan who said he wished he had a war during his term in office, then he would have won in 1979. War=strength in public eye.
053bss 3 years ago
No, what should have happened is we should have carpet bombed parts of Argentina in return. That would have taught them a lesson.
theredraven 3 years ago
in the 2009/2010 election the Tories will reclaim power with 355 MP's
gopconservative78 3 years ago
Indeed. It's a shame they're going to have to be heavy handed to fix Labour's mess but so be it. They have their heads screwed on much tighter thankfully.
theredraven 3 years ago
Dark, dank days are ahead of us I'm afraid.
Georgiahulse 3 years ago
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True, that is why we need Mr Brown, and thanfully he will be re-elected and can sort the mess out!
Wolverhampton1 3 years ago
And what cloud are you living on?
DAVIDCAMERONFORPM 2 years ago
You mean by following Cameron's policy of doing nothing?
slimes23 3 years ago
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Well it's just as well Mr Brown will get re-elected then to sort it out!
Wolverhampton1 3 years ago
How long have you guys had that tune for BBC election night?
waltlantz 3 years ago
It was first used in 1979, and has appeared om every election since, apart from 2001, where they used some boring unmemorable dirge instead. It was back for 2005.
tvcreamguide 3 years ago
The first time the BBC used this theme and the first time David Dimbleby hosted and Election Night. Finally following in the footsteps of his father Richard Dimbleby. I have no idea why they changed the theme in 2001, you can't improve on perfection. The version they used in 1987 & 1992 was the best though.
cylon6 3 years ago
Yes, but this is not the same arrangement as 1979. It's been re-done.
happylad65 2 years ago
sounds the same to me!
dunkiep 2 years ago
The orchestration is very different. The '79 version is twonky, a bit Rockford Files. The '83 version rather more grave and grandiose. Typical '80s!
happylad65 2 years ago 2
It's a very subtle difference that you've spotted there. I congratulate you on your excellent descriptive prose: twonky and a bit rockford files! LOL
dunkiep 2 years ago
That's probably the most accurate polling we've ever had.
slimes23 3 years ago
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quite possibly the worst opening credits ever to grace an election night program!
cooper91 3 years ago
Won't they be saying that about the 2005 election opener in 20 years' time though?
Georgiahulse 3 years ago 2
I don't think so, because this is the only one I dislike. i think the '79 one is quite elegant. This has mistakes in the production that are timeless.
cooper91 3 years ago
It was 1983 and things were different 25 years ago.
ukburger 3 years ago
Come on, Polls! Polls! Polls! Polls! Gains! Gains! Gains! Gains! It's very infectious.
Supermercado 3 years ago
Lol I guess you can't fault it for enthusiasm!
cooper91 3 years ago
The most remarkable thing about this clip is the contrast between the opening graphics and the actual BBC Election 83 set. The opening is so colorful, bright and borderline psychedelic. In contrast, the BBC set is the most drab, dull, and horribly boring "big" set ever devised.
bailorg 3 years ago
I noticed that myself. The colours at the beginning though were those of the Conservatives, Labour, the SDP and the Liberal Democrats (in that order when the faces of each party leader come up.) Perhaps the set, being grey and cream was supposed to represent fairness and neutrality - if they put in the colours seen in the intro, it might be seen that they were favouring a particular party.
Just a thought.
Georgiahulse 3 years ago 2
It probably doesn't have anything to do with it at all (apart from that this was the parliament that did away with it in state schools) but I just thought I'd point it out as background sociological information on the times!
I agree though - great music, great election and very significant times. A treat to watch!
Wolverhampton1 3 years ago
It all looks so civilised and normal doesn't it?
Except worth remembering this was a time when many hands and backsides of young people were still caned and slippered quite legally in schools up and down the country.
Perhaps not so civilised then?!
Wolverhampton1 3 years ago
Yeh, and I suppose now you've got lawlessness in classrooms, teachers being stabbed, security checks in schools "up and down the country", and failing students. All part of a brilliantly, bright and modern 21st Century!
Come on, the cane's role in the classroom had been a major cause of debate since at least the late 1960s, with many people being against it, it was only a few years after 1983 that it was actually abolished fully.
My Dad enjoyed being caned by Miss. Jones...
Georgiahulse 3 years ago 2
I dont see how this has anything to do with the 1983 election at all.
endlessraining 3 years ago
I agree only in so far that Corproal punnishment was phased out in state schools by Thatchers government which one wouldnt have thought.
Svetlanka83 3 years ago
This music rocks! Makes me wish I was back in the 80s again to be honest.
Georgiahulse 3 years ago
It's wierd seeing Peter Snow sitting behind a desk during an election programme rather running around excitedly and waving his arms about ;-) I think at the time, it was still very early days for computer graphics but also there was a much more serious tone about the way the whole programme was presented compared to nowadays. What would viewers from 1983 have made of Jeremy Vine's Wild West saloon graphics or Menzies Campbell as a rapper?
akava77 3 years ago 2
I wonder if they make more of an effort when they expect a change of government to take place. 1997 was a huge improvement on 92 and Vote 2001 was a bit... boring.
meeeee87 3 years ago 2
Thanks for the reply, ludocrat. Just wanted to ask: is the North of Britain still trailing behind the rest of the country? I did some internet searching on this question and it seems like North Britain can be compared to what we in the U.S. call the "Rustbelt" or the "backwoods"--places where there used to be a booming mfg. economy. But now unemployment, out-migration of young people, general despair, etc. True?
frantic1971 3 years ago
aaaa man. The music is so bad! You gotta love the 80s!
cooper91 3 years ago
Or the 70s even. The music is from Rick Wakeman's "King Arthur"
CardiffCubsTV 3 years ago
Michael Foot should of won.
dealingwith2 3 years ago
I am an American, and I noticed in this election (and subsequent ones) that the North of England went strongly pro-Labor while the southern part went almost solidly Conservative. I was wondering what caused such a sharp division at the time and if it still exists today.
frantic1971 3 years ago
what caused the division, one word Thatcher
GeeGee3374 3 years ago
Heavy industry in the large Midland, northern, Scottish and Welsh conurbations were hit very hard by the government's monetarist policies. Loss of subsidies for state-run, unmodernised, loss-making factories, mines, mills, steelworks and shipyards any more, the sector contracted by more than 30% in three years, with consequent concentrated high unemployment in those areas worst affected. Meanwhile a long term boom began in the south and rural areas, causing a deep polarisation of public opinion.
ludocrat 3 years ago
After this election, phase two of this administration's reforms began with mass privatisation and the curtailing of trade union power which was perceived to have harmed productivity in the 1970s. The order of the day was private enterprise, tax cuts, home ownership and the movement from an industrial to a post-industrial, tertiary economy. All these policies caused widespread controversy, particularly in those sections of society badly damaged by the painful dislocation of sudden unemployment.
ludocrat 3 years ago
Debate about the effects, scale, depth and necessity for these landscape-changing reforms rages on today, although it is arguable that the social and political divisions, often characterised by the simplistic slogan "North-South divide" are far less pronounced now than they were 20 years ago. They have by no means disappeared, however, as contemporary national voting patterns reveal.
People have long memories.
ludocrat 3 years ago
Brilliant :)
stupidjunk878 3 years ago
POLLS
POLLS
POLLS
POLLS
LOL, that was so 80stastic. Brilliant stuff!
stupidjunk878 3 years ago 2
Post the rest of the election broadcast!
fatoldjew 3 years ago
find me a way to post 5 hour long youtube videos, and ill do it.
endlessraining 3 years ago
Just post it in segments.
fatoldjew 3 years ago
That is uber retro!
SimplyBen84 3 years ago