3.11 Wilson and Politics (2nd term) Flashcards
Who was in the Inner Core of Wilson’s cabinet?
Callaghan: Foreign Office
Healey: Treasury
Crosland: Department of the Environment
Who was Secretary of State for Employment under Wilson?
Foot
Who ran the Department for Trade and Industry under Wilson?
Benn
There was a record number of women in Wilson’s cabinet. How many?
Two (some record…)
Who was the Secretary of State for Health and Social Services under Wilson?
Castle
Who was Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection under Wilson?
Williams
Who led the Foreign Office under Wilson?
Callaghan
Who was the Chancellor of the Exchequer under Wilson?
Healey
Who was the Secretary of State for the Environment under Wilson?
Crosland
Who was the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under Wilson?
Callaghan
What did Tony Benn and the hard left want?
Anti-EEC and an alternative economic strategy
They wanted massive extension of public ownership
Why was Benn so important?
Many of the Labour Party members liked his ideas and they went down well at Labour Party conferences
What was the Poulson Affair?
Two Labour figures (Cunningham and Smith) were sent to prison on corruption charges
When was the Poulson Affair?
1973
Why was the Poulson Affair such a problem?
It affected Maudling which lowered the Labour Party’s reputation
What difficult decision did Wilson have to make about power?
How to carry on in parliament
- Make a deal with the Liberals
- Hold another election
What did Wilson decide to do about the economic and industrial relations crisis?
He abolished the Industrial Relations Act
He abolished the Pay Board
In terms of the EEC, who did Wilson make sure to include in his cabinet?
Pro and anti-Europeans
What did Benn demand in terms of the EEC?
A referendum
What did Williams announce in terms of an EEC referendum?
She would leave the party if the referendum went against entry
How much were both sides given to campaign for/against the EEC?
£125,000
In terms of the EEC, what were the cabinet allowed?
A free vote
What percentage of the population voted in favour of EEC membership
67%
What was happening in Northern Ireland when Wilson took office?
A strike and protests against Sunningdale
Who was Northern Ireland’s Secretary?
Merlyn Rees
What did Rees suggest?
A Constitutional Convention to discuss a political agreement
Was the result of Rees’ suggestion for a Constitutional Convention?
It failed and was dissolved in March 1976
In Northern Ireland, Rees brought an end to what?
Internment
What legislation did Rees bring in after IRA bombings in Birmingham?
Prevention of Terrorism Act
When was the Prevention of Terrorism Act passed?
November 1974
What did Rees give the Royal Ulster Constabulary?
More responsibility in Northern Ireland
What did Rees use the SAS for?
Counter-insurgency against the IRA
When did Wilson resign?
April 1976
Who became Labour leader after Wilson’s resignation?
Callaghan
What did the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act do?
Made it unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of sex in employment, education, housing, goods, and services.
What Commission was set up under the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act?
Equal Opportunities Commission
Why was the 1975 Sex Discrimination Act criticised?
It was still difficult to prove discrimination
