Under Margaret Thatcher the Conservatives coasted to their third election victory in a row in 1987.
It was a feat helped, as in 1983, by the struggle between Labour and the Alliance to be the Tories' main challenger.
The loss of just 21 seats ensured that the Tory majority in the Commons remained more than 100 strong.
For Labour progress from the horrific defeat of 1983 was slight - gaining 20 seats - but significant.
Perhaps the real fight it had undertaken at this election was for second place against the Alliance rather than against the government - and this at least was a fight it could say it was winning.