1960s Race Relations

Question 1

The 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott

Answer 1

• Arose from the refusal of the Bristol Omnibus Company to employ black/asian bus crews in Bristol
• Colour Bar: British society was subject to De Facto segregation, unofficial, not by law

Question 2

Peter Griffith & The 1964 Racist Smethwick Constituency Campaign

Answer 2

• Peter Griffith (MP for Smethwick) was called out by Wilson for his racist campaign
• Conservatives used the campaign slogan, ‘If you want a n**r for a neighbour, vote Labour
• Wilson stated that Griffith should serve time in the House of Commons as a ‘parliamentary leper’

Question 3

Race Relations Board

Answer 3

• Set up to consider discrimination complaints
• Take part in publicity, research and other aspects
• Could not compel witnesses to attend hearings
• In the first year, 982 complaints were given however 734 of these were dismissed
• 1968-1972: Board only upheld 10% of the 1241 complaints it received about discriminatory employment
• Number of complaints remained low as the victims had little faith in getting effective support

Question 4

Race Relations Act (1965/1968)

Answer 4

• First act passed in 1965
• Forbade discrimination in public places ‘on grounds of colour, race or ethnic/national origins’
• Discrimination in housing and unemployment was excluded
• The second act banned racial discrimination in housing, employment, insurance and other services
• Race Relations board given stronger powers
• Still loopholes, employers could discriminate against non-whites in the interest of ‘racial balance’
• Complaints against police were excluded from the law

Question 5

Commonwealth Immigration Act 1968

Answer 5

• 1968: Sudden influx of Kenyan Asians, prompted gov to pass the act
• Limited the right of return to Britain for non-white Commonwealth citizens
• 1962 Act introduced by Conservatives to limit immigrants, at the time Labour considered this anti-colour legislation
• 1968 Wilson strengthened the act restricting further entry
• Fears of UK being ‘swamped’ by Asian immigrants from Kenya
• Mainly targeted Kenyan Indians and Pakistanis
• Right-wing media caused a stir causing Callaghan to pass the act

Question 6

Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ Speech

Answer 6

• Powell made a speech in Birmingham, April 1968
• His heavily racist speech made him strongly condemned by the liberal establishment
• Edward Heath, leader of the Conservative Party, sacked Powell from the Shadow Cabinet and never spoke to him again
• The public’s reaction strongly differed from the government’s
• Strikes by dockers and meat porters in London, and a protest march in Downing Street in response to his sacking
• 75% of the British public agreed with what was said in his speech

Question 7

Positive Influences of Immigrant Culture

Answer 7

• Evidence of some communities living together without problems
• The Notting Hill Carnival became an annual event from 1964 onwards
• Appearance of Asian corner shops and Chinese takeaways introduced new food
• Youth culture began to embrace different ethnic music, fashion and street life
• Indian/African cottons, Arabian pants, and Indian scarfs
• Different music styles such as Caribbean ska