1979 General Election Flashcards
how did the election occur
was triggered by a vote of no confidence
when was the election
3rd May 1979
how many seats needed for a majority
318
turnout
76%
Previous Prime Minister
James Callaghan Labour
Leaders running
James Callaghan Labour
Margaret Thatcher Conservative
David Steel Lib Dems
Margaret Thatcher’s seat
Finchley
James Callaghan’s seat
Cardiff SE
David Steel’s seat
Roxburgh, Selkirk and peebles
how many seats did Margaret Thatcher win
339 (43.9%)
how many seats did James Callaghan win
269 (36.9%)
how many seats did David Steel win
11 (13.8%)
Thatchers majority
43 seats
who did James Callaghan take over from
Harold Wilson (3 seat majority) resigned within 18 months callaghan lost majority+ thatcher triggered no confidence (311-310)
what hurt labours support in this election
industrial disputes+strikes
winter of discontent (78-79)
winter of discontent
widespread strikes by public sector trade unions demanding larger pay rises, following the ongoing pay caps of the Labour Party government
conservative camapaign
control inflation
curb power of trade unions
advertising agency Saatchi+Saatchi
employed by conservatives
‘labour isn’t working’
liberal party campaign
damaged, former leader jeremy thorpe= homosexual affairs+conspired murder former lover
swing labour to conservative
5.2% largest since 1945 Clement Atlee
what were opinion polls saying
trade unions were too strong
areas voting for thatcher
south
NW+NE swing
wales- anglesey 12%
what was the election more about
competence than ideology
most memorable posters= ‘labour isn’t working’
when was the vote of no confidence
28 March
dissolution of 47th parliament
7th April
March 1977
Lib Lab pact agreement
1970s economy
weak
why did callaghan hold election in 78
tax cuts+economic upturn favour party if hold it later
what did all leaders advocate
cutting income tax, lab+con didnt specify thresholds
libs start 20% top= 50%
labour party manifesto slogan
“the labour way was the better way”
labour’s policies
curb inflation
full employment
strengthen world peace+defeat world poverty
who did thatcher try to appeal to
C2 skilled labourers who previous would vote labour
conservative swings in class
11% swing to C2s
9% DEs
con manifesto
control inflation restore incentives uphold rule of law help homeowners strengthen defence
what happened to SNP
collapse in support
income policy
thatcher=first PM since Anthony Eden not to have income policy
inflation 1975
26%
