1964 election Flashcards
what 4 factors contributed to labour winning
british society in the 1950’s
revival of the liberal party
electorate view on conservatives
leadership under harold wilson
how were conservatives viewed by the electorate
they were old fashioned and out of touch with modern society; Douglas Home was a 60 year old Scottish aristocrat and the Tories were implicated in many sex scandals
why was the Tory run regarded as ‘thirteen wasted years’
they were blamed for growing economic problems in the 50s, specifically towards the end of the decade
how did british society change in the 1950s
after ww2 social classes were blurred and standard of living increased as wages rose
how did society changes in the 50s benefit labour opposed to conservative
affluence encouraged independence which stimulated a rejection of traditional values and policies pushed by the conservatives
opinion polls showed that the social policies of labour were favoured especially with the younger generations.
how did society decline under the tories in the 50s
riots broke out in 1958 after britain failed to adapt to a multi-racial society, immigrants were blamed for housing shortage and pay cuts
young gang culture was growing (mods and rockers)
how did the liberal party revival benefit labour
the revival brough the libs more funding and publicity so they contested more seats and overturned conservative majorities in crucial constituencies
why was wilson favoured over macmillan
wilson presented himself as humble, young and innovative to emhpasises the contrast to the old fashioned conservatives.
macmillan’s cabinet purge in 1962 damaged his reputation and opinion polls showed he never recovered it.
how did wilson reform labour and their policies
he presented labour as dynamic and progressive, promising a range of policies to promote economic growth and increase the standard of living
the party appeared united despite divisions over unilateral disarmament
in order which factors contributed the most
1) leadership under wilson
2) conservative view of the electorate
3) liberal party revival
4) society changes in the 1950s
