1974 election + its impact

Question 1

when did Heath call the election for?

Answer 1

28th february 1974

Question 2

what did heath want the central issue of the election to be?

Answer 2

‘who governs britain?’

Question 3

what was the result?

Answer 3

-labour won 5 more seats than the conservatives
-but no party had an overall majority so there was hung parliament
-heath attempted to make a deal with the liberals but failed
-sunningdale ruined heath’s chances of reelection because the other MPs that won seats refused to side with tories - 11 of them were northern irish MPs
-then labour as the largest party formed a minority government

Question 4

what was the issue with labour having a minority government?

Answer 4

-gave them a weak mandate
-harder to pass legislation

Question 5

how did wilson solve this issue?

Answer 5

-he called another election in october 1974
-they got a majority if 1 seat
-so not a massive success but they now had a stronger mandate, and it was clear that Wilson solving the 3 day week had been recognised