The general election of 1997 was one which precipitated vast changes in the political sphere. The emergence of New Labour under Blair ended nearly 20 years of Conservative domination, and the Labour election manifesto also marked a change in direction from Old Labour politics. For the first time in nearly 80 years, a radical agenda of constitutional reform was suggested, markedly distinguishing New Labour from that of Old (for example the last two major Labour PMs, Wilson and Callaghan never really addressed this) and the Conservatives, who rigorously avoided the issue. It is this party orientation, the fundamental basis of British politics, which may affect arguments in answering this question, for example, whilst Blair advocated devolution, Major warned, Wake up, my fellow countrymen….(short extract)
