Page "Conservative Party (UK) leadership election, 1990" Paragraph 3

Throughout 1990, Thatcher's popularity — and that of the Conservative government — waned considerably.

Whereas in 1987 Thatcher had presided over an economic boom, by 1989-90 interest rates had to be hiked to 15 % to cool inflation which was now in double digits-and by late 1990 the economy was in recession.

The introduction of the deeply unpopular Community Charge ( labelled ' Poll Tax ') had been greeted with widespread non-payment and even a riot in Trafalgar Square in April 1990.

Labour held a lead in most of the opinion polls since mid 1989 and at the height of the Poll tax controversy, one opinion poll had shown Labour support in excess of 50 % with a lead of more than 20 points over the Tories.