1A Changing Political Landscape - 1945-1979 Flashcards
What did the post war period see both political parties believing in?
Full employment - might allow a degree of inflation
Mixed economy
Welfare state and NHS
Co operation between gov, industry and the trade unions in managing wages and prices
Which party won by a landslide in 1945 and why?
The Labour Party under Clement Attlee due to the promise of social reform, an NHS, housing and jobs
Why was WC unsuccessful in the 1945 election after thinking the public would reward him for his wartime service?
His manifesto focused on foreign policy and people had memories of the pre war Tory govs making harsh economic choices
What reforms did the Labour gov introduce between 1945-1951?
Establishment of NHS 1945 National Insurance Act National Assistance Act Housing Act 1949 Education Act 1944
Why did Labours vote decline in 1950 even though they won the GE?
1949 House of Commons Act - reduced the number of safe seats by redrawing constituency boundaries.
Labour also became less popular among the MC
WC fell by 6% between 1931 and 1951
Why were people dissatisfied with Labour in the post war period?
Rationing continued after war, some non restricted items in war became rationed in peacetime
Austerity: Labour unable to revive struggling economy
Top rate of tax was 90%
Why did CA become exhausted by 1951?
Two of CA’s most experienced ministers died
1950 GB became involved in Korean War
Austerity budget - prescription charges for glasses and dentistry = resignation of Aneurin Bevin
What happened in the period of 1951-1964?
Tories dominated for the next 13 years, won two further elections. WC returned to downing street. Acted more as a caretaker, too ill to be prime minister.
How was Eden perceived prior to the Suez Crisis?
Young, popular politician-called GE to get mandate and was successful
Impressive wartime record as WC’s foreign minister
Lowest unemployment by 1955 - 1%
Why did the Suez Crisis ruin Eden’s reputation and show the decline of GB as a world force?
France and Israel invited GB to take part in invasion
Eden secretly agreed to participate
Eisenhower was furious as he hadn’t been consulted, threatened to sell US reserves of GB currency
What characterised Macmillan’s gov in 1957-1963?
Mixed economy
Rising living standards
Low unemployment
Very popular
Why weren’t the right of the Conservatives happy with Macmillan?
Enoch Powell, Nigel Birch and Peter Thorneycroft resigned. All believed that Macmillan’s gov was spending too much.
What did the right of the Conservative government want Macmillan to do?
Spending cuts
Tax rises
End to subsidies for nationalised industries
What was the Night of the Long Knives in 1962 under Macmillan’s gov?
Sacked 7 ministers from his cabinet and replaced them with younger men to restore the Tory image - proved very popular
What scandals occurred under Macmillan’s gov?
John Vassall - blackmailed by USSR
Harold ‘Kim’ Philby - spied for USSR since early 1950s
John Profumo - admitted to having an affair with Christine Keeler (also had affair with HM), had relationship with Russian escort
Why did Sir Alec Douglas Home only last for one year in office?
Suffered from a major image problem, damaged Tory chances in next election. Satirists ridiculed him.
How was Harold Wilson’s Labour government characterised between 1964-1970?
Presented as classless. Effectively used TV to present himself as the face of modern GB. Small majority. Needed to call a GE before passing reforms.
What problems did Harold Wilson face during his term (1964-1970)?
£800 million budget deficit
Devalued pound 1967
Couldn’t afford social reform but didn’t want to abandon it
What did Harold Wilson want to achieve between 1964 and 1970?
HW had wanted to increase pensions, build new homes and maintain military presence overseas
What did Harold Wilson achieve during his term (1964-1970)?
Second GE, HW got majority
New universities and polytechnics
Open University established
Laws on abortion, homosexuality and death penalty liberalised
What issues did HW face within his cabinet during the late 60s?
HW gov declined in popularity - unemployment grew
Ignored legislation combating unofficial strikes in 1969, led to decade of rising strikes and union unrest
What did Edward Heath stand for in 1970?
A break from the PWC - reduce state intervention, end incomes policies, privatisation of industry
What did Edward Heath actually implement during his term, 1970-1974?
Ended incomes policies
Barber budget failed to cure growing economic problems and fuelled inflation
Took U turn and increased state intervention
What problems with trade unions did EH face?
By 1974 - 2 miners strikes had occurred
Declared a 3 day week - Had to call GE in 1974 - question was ‘Who runs Britain?’ but Heath was defeated
How was Harold Wilson’s second term viewed in 1974?
Little sense of optimism. HW was old and in poor health. The hung parliament meant that he needed to call a second GE in 1974, result was a worse majority than before.
What did HW want to achieve in his third term, 1974-1976?
End TU unrest and repeal the Industrial Relations Act. Return to corporatism using social contract.
What did HW actually achieve in his final term, 1974-1976?
Gov offered subsidies to the cost of living in return for TUs not asking for too high wages.
HW ended the miners strike. Social contract did nothing to stop inflation which was the cause of strikes.
Why was Wilson’s party divided in 1976?
CR - embraced monetarism
CL - pro unionist
L - siege economy in response to IMF 1976
How did Callaghan’s popular labour gov plan to operate in 1976?
Abandoned key aspects of PWC - Didn’t think gov could spend its way out of difficulties. He thought that GB was spending beyond its means.
What did Callaghan propose?
To leave the EEC and to have a siege economy to protect state spending on welfare but these arguments were seen as unworkable and extreme
