1990 in the UK: Dawn of a New Decade

The year was 1990, the dawn of a new decade in the United Kingdom. A lot was happening in the country back then, from social and political change to the world of entertainment.

Social and Political Change

In January 1990, the UK was led by its first woman Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher of the Conservative Party. Thatcher had been the UK Prime Minister since 1979 and was known for her conservative policies that included privatization, deregulation of financial markets, and a reduction in the power of unions. Her policies had a significant impact on the country, and it’s fair to say she was a polarizing figure. Things came to a head when her government replaced the system of property rates with the “Community Charge”, a tax per head of population, more commonly referred to as “The Poll Tax”. Resistance and opposition to the tax was nationwide, co-ordinated and strong; culminating in the Poll Tax Riot in London on the 31st March 1990; some of the worst rioting ever seen in Mainland Britain

In November 1990, Margaret Thatcher’s leadership came to an end after she was challenged for the party leader position by Michael Heseltine. Thatcher refused to enter a second ballot when it was clear she could not win and was replaced by John Major as Conservative party leader and prime minister.

During the year 1990, ethnic diversity in the UK continued to grow, especially in London. The mass migration of people from former British colonies after World War II played a significant role in this change. By 1990, London was home to a large number of minorities, and ethnic representation in local councils had increased significantly. In 1978, there were only 35 minority councillors in London, but this number had increased to 193 by 1990, accounting for around 10% of the total. Despite this progress in representation, there were still disparities in the experiences and opportunities of different ethnic groups, including in public services, staff experience and pay, and self-employment and business.

The radio station Choice 96.9 FM began broadcasting in Brixton in the spring of 1990; the first licenced 24 hour black music radio station; the station would later become Capital XTRA as part of the Global Radio group. The ethnic diversity in the UK continued to shape national identity and was likely to have lasting effects on the country’s social, cultural, and political landscape.

Entertainment

1990 was a year of major changes in the UK’s entertainment industry. The music scene, in particular, was undergoing a transformative period. It was the era of Manchester music scene and the rise of Britpop. The Stone Roses released their debut album this year, along with other notable Manchester bands like Happy Mondays, The Charlatans, and Inspiral Carpets.

Madchester that began a few years earlier, was now in full swing with legendary clubs and bars such as The Hacienda, The Milk Bar, and the legendary Dry Bar. The parties were wild, and the music was truly revolutionary.

Pop music was also changing, with significant developments in hip-hop and house music. MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This” became an instant hit, and Technotronic’s “Pump Up The Jam” was also popular. Madonna’s “Vogue” and “Justify My Love” were also mainstream hits in 1990.

In the world of television, UK soap opera “EastEnders” was incredibly popular, with regular viewership ranging between 17 and 20 million. The show’s storyline about ‘Dirty’ Den and Angie’s divorce was the most-watched television episode in the UK that year.

Movies

The UK’s film industry had some notable releases in 1990. The film noir, “The Krays,” directed by Peter Medak, was a biopic about the notorious gangster duo, The Kray Twins. Another critically acclaimed film to be released in 1990 was “Goodfellas,” directed by Martin Scorsese, and starring Robert De Niro and Ray Liotta.

Social, Political and Cultural Changes

The year 1990 was a pivotal moment in the UK’s history. As the country navigated a transition between two decades, there were significant social, political and cultural changes occurring. The music scene was exploding with new genres, clubs, and bands, while the film industry produced some iconic movies. We can surely say that the early 90s set the foundation of what the UK looks like today.