2.4 Wilson and Politics

Question 1

What were the two primary themes characterizing the Wilson administration, according to Morgan?

Answer 1

Economic disarray and political indirection were identified as the primary themes characterizing the Wilson administration, as argued by Morgan.

Question 2

Who were the individuals Wilson was nervous might challenge his leadership within the cabinet?

Answer 2

Wilson was nervous about potential leadership challenges from Brown, Callaghan, or Jenkins, his powerful cabinet colleagues.

Question 3

Why did Wilson perceive Jenkins’ attempts to garner cabinet support for devaluation as a threat?

Answer 4

Wilson interpreted Jenkins’ efforts to seek cabinet support for devaluation during the Sterling Crisis as a plot to replace him.

Question 5

What approach did Wilson take to balance the Left and the Right factions within the party?

Answer 5

Wilson dedicated significant effort to balancing the Left and the Right factions within the party during his tenure as a leader.

Question 6

How does Morgan characterize Wilson’s political skills within the administration?

Answer 6

Morgan suggests that Wilson’s skills were well-suited for the politics of survival, as he was personally popular and consistently outmaneuvered the Tories.

Question 7

What was the focus of the Donnelly-Wyatt revolt within the Labour Party in 1965?

Answer 7

The revolt centered around the issue of re-nationalizing the steel industry within the Labour Party.

Question 8

What caused Labour’s overall majority to reduce to just 3 by 1965?

Answer 8

Labour’s overall majority dwindled to just 3 seats due to outcomes in by-elections.

Question 9

Who were the key figures involved in the revolt against the party line for the re-nationalization of steel?

Answer 9

Donnelly and Wyatt, two backbenchers, played pivotal roles in opposing the party’s stance on steel re-nationalization.

Question 10

What impact did the opposition from Donnelly and Wyatt have on the progress of the nationalization Bill?

Answer 10

Their opposition held significant weight as their two votes were enough to block the progress of the nationalization Bill.

Question 11

What action did Wilson take due to the opposition, and how did it affect the discussion on steel re-nationalization?

Answer 11

Wilson had to postpone further discussions about steel re-nationalization until after the 1966 election because of the revolt’s impact and the voting dynamics within the party.

Question 12

Who replaced Douglas-Home in the run-up to the 1966 election?

Answer 12

Edward Heath replaced Douglas-Home in the period leading up to the 1966 election.

Question 13

What decision made by Wilson in 1965 caused some within the Labour Party to feel he missed a significant opportunity?

Answer 13

Wilson’s dismissal of a 1965 election led individuals like Benn, Balogh, and Crossman to believe that he missed a promising chance.

Question 14

What indicated a favorable prelude to the election for Labour in 1966?

Answer 14

A Hull by-election with a 4.5% swing to Labour set a favorable stage for the upcoming election.

Question 15

What key promise did Labour make during their campaign for the 1966 election?

Answer 15

Labour campaigned on the idea of “finishing the job” and also pledged to negotiate entry into the Common Market.

Question 16

How did internal disagreements affect the Conservative Party’s stance during the election?

Answer 16

Internal divisions over the issue of oil sanctions to Rhodesia led to a lack of unity within the Conservative Party during the election.

Question 17

What made the 1966 election result significant for Labour?

Answer 17

The 1966 election granted Labour a substantial majority, marking only the second time they achieved such a majority, allowing them to govern without third-party support for a full parliamentary term.

Question 18

What was Wilson’s attempt regarding the House of Lords in 1968?

Answer 18

Wilson aimed to fundamentally restructure the House of Lords in 1968.

Question 19

What significant reform had already been introduced to the House of Lords in 1958?

Answer 19

Macmillan introduced life peerages in 1958, which fundamentally altered the composition of the House of Lords.

Question 20

How did Wilson’s proposed reform cause concern among Parliament members?

Answer 20

Wilson’s proposed reforms led to apprehension on both sides of Parliament, with 27 Labour MPs voting against the second reading of the reform bill.

Question 21

What happened to the House of Lords reform bill in 1969?

Answer 21

The House of Lords reform bill was withdrawn in 1969.

Question 22

What did the Redcliffe-Maud report propose regarding the division of land in 1969?

Answer 22

The report suggested dividing the land into 8 provinces and establishing 3 metropolitan authorities in Merseyside, Birmingham, and Manchester.

Question 23

How was the Redcliffe-Maud report received, and what was its status by the time of the 1970 election?

Answer 23

The report faced considerable resistance, and by the 1970 election, no significant progress had been made in implementing its proposals for local government reform.

Question 24

What was the decision made by the Wilson administration regarding unilateral disarmament?

Answer 24

The Wilson administration decided to abandon unilateral disarmament.

Question 25

What was the action taken concerning the Polaris project?

Answer 25

Despite considerations, Wilson, along with Healey and Gordon Walker, chose not to cancel the Polaris project. They proceeded with the construction of four out of the projected five submarines.

Question 26

What concession did the administration make to the anti-nuclear lobby?

Answer 26

The administration assured that there would be no suggestion of a solo British nuclear war against the Soviet Union, although this scenario was unlikely.

Question 27

What actions were taken by the Welsh Language Society (Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg) to support the Welsh language?

Answer 27

The Welsh Language Society engaged in direct actions against government buildings, post offices, and television masts, demanding Welsh language support in various official documents and services.

Question 28

Which political party gained a significant victory in the Carmarthen by-election, and who was their leader?

Answer 28

Plaid Cymru’s respected leader, Gwynfor Evans, secured a victory for his party in the Carmarthen by-election.

Question 29

What signs indicated the growth of Welsh nationalism within Labour’s industrial strongholds in 1967-68?

Answer 29

Signs of Welsh nationalism were observed in traditionally Labour-held areas like Rhondda West in 1967 and Caerphilly in 1968, where Plaid Cymru came close to winning these Labour-dominant seats.

Question 30

How did the Scottish National Party (SNP) demonstrate its political strength in Scotland?

Answer 30

The SNP overturned a Labour majority of 16,000 at Hamilton when Winifred Ewing won the seat in 1967. The party showed influence not only in rural areas but also in urban centers like Glasgow, Dundee, and new towns like Cumbernauld and East Kilbride.

Question 31

What was the response of the Labour government to the rising nationalist sentiments in Wales and Scotland?

Answer 31

The Labour government sought solutions through a Royal Commission on the constitution, intending to explore the issues of Scottish and Welsh self-government over several years.

Question 32

How did George Thomas, the Welsh Secretary, contribute to the political situation in Wales in 1969?

Answer 32

George Thomas organized the investiture of Prince Charles as the Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in July 1969, which was a significant event symbolizing Welsh identity.

Question 33

What were the initial signs indicating the breakdown of the post-war consensus in 1970?

Answer 33

Britain’s ongoing economic issues persisted despite consensus-based policies, and trade unions appeared less cooperative. Dissatisfaction grew within the Labour Party’s Left due to the moderate nature of consensus Labour policies. Social problems and poverty remained unresolved.

Question 34

What doubts emerged within Heath’s Conservative cabinet around 1970?

Answer 34

Heath’s cabinet began questioning the extent of the state’s involvement in planning the economy and ensuring full employment, suggesting a reevaluation of the government’s role in these areas.