1979 General Election

Question 1

how did the election occur

Answer 1

was triggered by a vote of no confidence

Question 2

when was the election

Answer 2

3rd May 1979

Question 3

how many seats needed for a majority

Answer 3

318

Question 4

turnout

Answer 4

76%

Question 5

Previous Prime Minister

Answer 5

James Callaghan Labour

Question 6

Leaders running

Answer 6

James Callaghan Labour
Margaret Thatcher Conservative
David Steel Lib Dems

Question 7

Margaret Thatcher’s seat

Answer 7

Finchley

Question 8

James Callaghan’s seat

Answer 8

Cardiff SE

Question 9

David Steel’s seat

Answer 9

Roxburgh, Selkirk and peebles

Question 10

how many seats did Margaret Thatcher win

Answer 10

339 (43.9%)

Question 11

how many seats did James Callaghan win

Answer 11

269 (36.9%)

Question 12

how many seats did David Steel win

Answer 12

11 (13.8%)

Question 13

Thatchers majority

Answer 13

43 seats

Question 14

who did James Callaghan take over from

Answer 14

Harold Wilson (3 seat majority) resigned within 18 months 
callaghan lost majority+ thatcher triggered no confidence (311-310)

Question 15

what hurt labours support in this election

Answer 15

industrial disputes+strikes

winter of discontent (78-79)

Question 16

winter of discontent

Answer 16

widespread strikes by public sector trade unions demanding larger pay rises, following the ongoing pay caps of the Labour Party government

Question 17

conservative camapaign

Answer 17

control inflation

curb power of trade unions

Question 18

advertising agency Saatchi+Saatchi

Answer 18

employed by conservatives

‘labour isn’t working’

Question 19

liberal party campaign

Answer 19

damaged, former leader jeremy thorpe= homosexual affairs+conspired murder former lover

Question 20

swing labour to conservative

Answer 20

5.2% largest since 1945 Clement Atlee

Question 21

what were opinion polls saying

Answer 21

trade unions were too strong

Question 22

areas voting for thatcher

Answer 22

south
NW+NE swing
wales- anglesey 12%

Question 23

what was the election more about

Answer 23

competence than ideology

most memorable posters= ‘labour isn’t working’

Question 24

when was the vote of no confidence

Answer 24

28 March

Question 25

dissolution of 47th parliament

Answer 25

7th April

Question 26

March 1977

Answer 26

Lib Lab pact agreement

Question 27

1970s economy

Answer 27

weak

Question 28

why did callaghan hold election in 78

Answer 28

tax cuts+economic upturn favour party if hold it later

Question 29

what did all leaders advocate

Answer 29

cutting income tax, lab+con didnt specify thresholds

libs start 20% top= 50%

Question 30

labour party manifesto slogan

Answer 30

“the labour way was the better way”

Question 31

labour’s policies

Answer 31

curb inflation
full employment
strengthen world peace+defeat world poverty

Question 32

who did thatcher try to appeal to

Answer 32

C2 skilled labourers who previous would vote labour

Question 33

conservative swings in class

Answer 33

11% swing to C2s

9% DEs

Question 34

con manifesto

Answer 34

control inflation 
restore incentives 
uphold rule of law 
help homeowners
strengthen defence

Question 35

what happened to SNP

Answer 35

collapse in support

Question 36

income policy

Answer 36

thatcher=first PM since Anthony Eden not to have income policy

Question 37

inflation 1975

Answer 37

26%