1964-1970 Politics (Unit 2, Topic 1) Flashcards
Liberal reforming legislations, Education reforms, Significance of Wilson.
White Paper?
A way the government presents policy references before it introduces legislation
Who was James Callaghan?
Left wing, Chancellor of Exequer and helped to break the trade union legislation. Had excellent connections to the trade unions
Who was George Brown?
Hugely resentful he lost leadership election to Wilson and was further disappointed he was not made Foreign Secretary 1964. It was believed that Wilson had undermined his reputation by involving him in embarrassing incidents once he was reshuffled to Foreign Office. He was politically right wing
Who was Roy Jenkins?
Jenkins stood on the right wing and served as home secretary and was a strong pro-European. He was critical of failure to devalue Callaghan when he was Chancellor. He was a supporter of trade union legislation. After the seamen strike in 1966 that caused a sterling crisis.
Who was Tony Benn?
MP with 25 different cabinet positions, left side of Labour Party
Who was Barbara Castle?
Cabinet MP 1945-79, introduced breathalyser and put Equal Pay Act as secretary of state for employment, seen as a Bevanite
Who was Jack Jones?
Worked as a doctor, fought against fascism in Spanish civil war, important in setting up Wilsons social contract, most powerful man in Britain
How was Capital Punishment Reformed and What was the Impact?
The Tories reduced the number of offences carrying the death penalty, in 1965 hanging was abolished for a 5 year trial and then made further permanent in 1969. It had backing by Jenkins who refused to authorise the bearing of prisoners.
How was Divorce Reformed and What was the Impact?
The Divorce Reform Act in 1969 allowed a ‘no fault divorce’ and made being able to divorce easier as requirements were no longer needed. This led to a huge increase in divorces and by 1970, 10 in every married couple got divorced. This reform had backing by Jenkins who believed the laws were out of date
How was Abortion Reformed and What was the Impact?
The Abortion Law Reform Association wanted this reform to occur forcing an Abortion Act to be permitted allowing for termination of pregnancies. This worked for a while but more precarious contraceptive methods made unwanted pregnancies more common. This campaign was led by Liberal MP David Steel.
How was Race Relations Act Reformed and What was the Impact?
This aimed to stop discrimination and promote equality within Britain, three laws were passed in 1965, 1968, 1976. However even though some areas saw a decrease in discrimination some areas like Notting Hill were increasingly hostile towards immigrants and people of race.
How was Education Reformed and What was the Impact?
Comprehensive schools were created and the triparte system was removed. This allowed all levels of society to afford the education they needed and provided equal opportunities for all children. Jennie Lee and Harold Wilson backed the reform with strong determination to give everyone an education
How were Homosexuality Laws Reformed and What was the Impact?
In the 1960’s men could be imprisoned for up to 2 years for being homosexual, Leo Abse created a Sexual Offences Act in 1967 were homosexuals weren’t unjustly imprisoned as long as they met the conditions of the act. Jenkins backed this reform and gave his approval
How was the Immigration Act Reformed and What was the Impact?
It restricted the access for immigrants to reach the UK as there was a lack of housing and employment. Immigrants had to travel to the UK in smaller groups and reside in smaller numbers
How was the NHS Planning Reformed and What was the Impact?
What is Free Vote?
Individual MP’s can vote according to their own conscience rather than following an official party line
What is Unimity?
All 12 jurors had to agree on verdict, majority verdicts included only 10 jurors needing to agree
What is Decriminilisation?
Removing a law so an action can no longer be prosecuted
What is a Comprehensive School?
Every child would be given equal opportunities to learn at their own pace and sit exams according to their academic ability in each subject, 1964 1 in 10 pupils in were attending Comprehensive Schools, 1970 only 8 authorities failed to convert to a Comprehensive School. There were 1145 Comprehensive Schools catering for 1 in 3 of all secondary education school pupils. However, many Middle Class families sent their kids to Direct Grant Schools though
What is a Direct Grant School?
Old grammar schools which submit a substantial amount of pupils onto scholarships
What is a Private Member’s Bills?
Bills introduced by MP’s and Lords who aren’t government ministers
What is a Polytechnic?
Polytechnics replaced the Collage of Technology focusing on science and would look at research rather than teaching. A collage of advanced technology became full universities. By 1968 there were 30 polytechnics and 50 universities. Allowing people who with minimal education to attend universities
What is an Open University?
March 1963, Labour Party proposed a ‘University of Air’. Jennie Lee would stand committed to this project. The university would use radio and television in innovative forms to help raise esteem of those regarded as educational failure. By 1980 the University had 70,000 students and was awarded more degrees than Oxford and Cambridge combined
