1974-79 - political Flashcards
What majority were Labour elected with?
A 6 seat majority and the smallest share of the vote a majority government has had for 60 years
When did Wilson resign?
March 1976
What were the impacts of Wilson’s resignation?
His resignation came as a surprise, he had been the leader of the party for 13 years, 8 of which he was the Prime Minister
Key figures on the left becoming increasingly problematic for Callaghan
What happened to Labour’s majority under Callaghan?
By-elections cancelled out Labour’s 3 seat majority
When was the end of the Lib-Lab Pact?
Autumn 1978
What ended the Lib-Lab Pact?
The SNP withdrew its support due to the lack of devolution (giving the Scottish government greater control)
How do many people think Callaghan missed an opportunity?
Many thought Callaghan should have called an election following his somewhat successful handling of the IMF Crisis
When was the vote of no confidence in Callaghan?
March 1979
What was the result of the vote of no confidence?
Thatcher called the vote of no confidence which she won by 1 vote
How was Thatcher’s campaign effective?
Ran a campaign on the slogan “Labour isn’t working” - reflecting Labour’s failure to implement successful, ideological policy.
How were Thatcher’s politics different?
She offered a decisive break in the post-war consensus. She was a member of the “New Right”, and believed that the consensus politics that had operated since 1945 was a form of creeping socialism.
How did Thatcher aim to restore the health of Britain’s economic life?
By controlling inflation and striking a fair balance between the rights and duties of the trade union movement
What were Thatcher’s aims for work?
To restore incentives so that hard work pays, success is rewarded and genuine new jobs are created in an expanding economy
What was Thatcher’s foreign policy?
to strengthen Britain’s defences and work with allies to protect Britain’s interests in an increasingly threatening world.
How did Thatcher propose to support family life?
By helping people to become home-owners, raising the standards of their children’s education and concentrating welfare services on the effective support of the old, the sick, the disabled and those who are in real need.
What was the outcome of the 1979 general election?
Conservatives won 339 seats to Labour’s 269 seats
What social policy did Labour introduce?
Sex Discrimination Act
Employment Protection Act
Social Security Act
Social Security Pensions Act
When and what was the Sex Discrimination Act?
1975
Act which protected men and women from discrimination on the grounds of sex or marital status
Concerned employment, training, education, harassment, the provisions of goods and service and the disposal of premises
When and what was the Employment Protection Act?
1975
Denied employers the right to dismiss pregnant employees and required them to offer paid maternity leave
When and what was the Social Security Act?
1975
Provided a special maternity allowance fund
When and what was the Social Security Pensions Act?
1975
Required pension schemes to be open equally to women engaged in the same work as men.
When were the Birmingham Pub Bombings
21 November 1974
What happened with the Birmingham Pub Bombings?
In separate explosions in two public houses in Birmingham’s city centre, 21 people killed and 180 seriously injured
What was the result of the Birmingham Pub bombings?
Prevention of Terrorism Act 1974 - gave the police and authorities considerably extended powers of search and arrest.
