An incisive retrospective of the Thatcher years which calls to account the policy and philosophy of the New Right. Organized into two sections, Part 1 deals with the rise of the New Right, its ideas and leaders and the context in which they flourished. Part 2 systematically evaluates the economic, social, political and cultural record of government. Wilson examines in turn the rhetoric and reality of performance on indicators and issues including - inflation, industrial growth, privatization, trade unions, unemployment, public spending, taxation, civil service, local government, law and order, health, housing, education, social welfare, the enterprise culture, civil liberties and the constitution. Also documents the disillusionment of thinkers of the Left during 1970s and includes new material on their retrospective views at the end of the Thatcher era. Meticulously researched, written with unusual clarity and injected with a sense of humour, this is an ideal text for students of contemporary history, politics and government.