5. Labour N’ Conservative Governments Flashcards
1964 Election
Not a landslide labour had Less votes than in 1959 but Conservatives lost 1.6 million votes in labour gained 1.5 million votes
It could be due to the disconnected middle-class voters going to liberals rather than a big swing to labour
Reasons for Labours win in 1964
Loss of popularity for by con:
Doug home was out of touch (Many people saw him more trustworthy than labour) 
Many blamed Conservative for economic record 13 wasted years
Decline in manufacturing areas. (Conservative cut in income tax 1963 which increased employment)
Reasons for labours win in 1964
Appeal of labour
Harold Wilson was seen as a man of the people and not a typical MP
Morden promise for technology
Technological rev white heat tech
Reasons for labours win in 1964
Other factors
Many felt it was a time for change after 13 years especially the young
Labour see more in tune
The revival of the liberals taking many of conservative vote
1964 and 1966 and 1970 election
In 1964 Wilson a majority of only four MPs
Increase majority in 1966 winning 100 seats more than Conservative
However in 1970 he lost the election
What problems did William face in 1964
Stagflation and other economic issues such as slow growth compare to developed industrial countries
Nationalised industries were costly due to lack of investments in the 1950s And defence costs were very high prevented domestic investment
Education system didn’t offer high-quality technical and scientific training opportunities for students for higher education
What did Wilson achieve?
Social reforms
Roy jenekins home sec made many changes:
Race relations 1968
Voting age 21–>18
Capital punishment gone
Equal pay
Abortion act 1967
Gay act 1967 
What did Wilson achieve?
Education
Comprehensive system was expanded
Open universities was established to give greater access to higher education
Number of unis increased
What did Wilson achieve?
Economic policy
The balance of payment deficit was down from over 800 million to 400 million in 1969
Better modes of transport in various areas
What did Wilson fail to achieve?
The economy
They had to abandon Reintroducing free prescription charges and raising school leaving age
Ongoing problem with balance of payments and rising prices
Spending cuts and higher taxes unpopular
Unemployment remained a problem by 1967 it was 2.5 million
In 1967 Britain were forced to devalue the pound
Failure to join EEC
What did Wilson fail to achieve?
Trade unions
Strikes caused major problems. 1966 seamens strike damaged econ and loss of confidence —> devaluation
Economic growth stopped by high costs

1970 election
Labour expected to win because of opinion polls
Conservatives gained 43 more seats under Edward Heath
Strikes led to nearly 1,000,000 labour votes lost since 1966
By 1978 was clearly his record is patchy
1970 election
Division within labour
Split reemerged and that cuts in spending led to betrayal vote by supporters
Left-wing supporters dislike Wilson support to USA against communist North Vietnam
Labour party dislike proposals to restrict union power and party membership fell due to a lack of idealism and commitment to its roots

1970 election reasons for labours loss
Econ problems
Unemployment was higher in 1970 then when labour took office
Inflation for retail prices was it 33%
Fall in employment in mining and Manufacturing (betrayal)
Wilson accused of lying when he said the devaluation in 1967 wouldn’t affect the pain in your pocket but it did lead to higher prices for imported goods
1970 reasons for labours loss
Appeal of the Cons
Edward Heath was not a typical Tori. He was a modern figure who didn’t tolerate old-fashioned views (sacking of powell)
He’s had clear policies about joining the eec
He’s dealt with middle-class voters he thought labour mismanaged the economy and had appeased rather than confronted the powerful unions
1970 election reasons for labours loss
What was a key factor
Labour were divided over trade union policy where is Conservatives were united behind heath To modernise labour relations.
The liberal vote fell slightly so the trend for the labels to split the vote was not as strong as it had been in 1966
Tories United over Europe
What did heath want to do 1970-74
Unify the nation through better regional development and improve social services and to join the EEC which he hoped would increase trade and modernise industrial relations
Problems heath faced
Inflation hard to control especially with Middle East war
In 1971 America let the dollar value fall = GB exports ^^
Britain had to accept some unfavourable terms when joining EEC
Working days lost a strikes increase from 10.9 million in 1970 to 23 million in 1972
Why was industrial relations policy important in heaths government?
Economics perspective unless cost for competitive Britain would not benefit from opportunities from EEC
Difficult to stop inflation caused by high go spending an external factors such as important to prevent wage lead inflation 
What was the governments policy?
Industrial relations act 1971
Gave government the right to insist on 60 day cooling off period before a strike. 
They could insist I will trade unionists were balloted about potential strike
Heaths government problems with the coal industry? Strike action
Jan 1972 to 280,000 miners went on strike threatening heating and power supplies
Causing power cuts and the government surrendered. And gave a 47% pay increase and we eventually awarded a pay rise higher than the inflation rate.
Why was the 1972 coal miners strike significant?
Weakened gov strategy to reduce inflation
Power of minors and effectiveness
Rule of law was challenged
Other workers follow the minors in making wage claims
The clash of 1973 oil crisis November the oil crisis lead to high price rises.
Heaths options were…
To accept the wages and risk making inflation worse
To reduce emergency powers
To leave a negotiations to the National coal board and risk another strike threatening power affecting industries and people in their homes
What did heath decided to do in 1973 clash and what did it lead to?
Introduced emergency powers:
TV was stopped broadcasting at 10:30
Businesses could only have access to electricity for three days a week
50 mile an hour limit on all cars and cut down on petrol
Why did labour win in February 1974 ( Wilson)
Conservative failures ‘who governs Britain’ heath lost control of the country.
Three day week people facing higher prices
Conservative voters disliked entry into Europe terms ( losing cheap food from commonwealth)
Another election in October saw labour win fewer seats 318 lab 277 con

The problems of the labour Gov 1974-79
Divisions over trade unions
(Michael Finn and Tony Ben join the cabinet) left wing
Wilson had to hold a referendum in 1975
Labour failed to deal with trade unions as there was a wave of strikes in 1978 - 79
Inflation reached 25% on average a year.
Labour excepted a pay rise for minors of 29%
Low grade throats low productivity and low investment( Wilson resigned March 1976)
James Callahan and his Chancellor how to make heavy cuts in spending to secure key loan to support the pound
The winter of discontent 1978-79
Inflation rose and wages were frozen the unions pressed for wage increase
Strikes from key public services such as rubbish collection
Press said it was a severe crisis

Did labour deserve to lose the election of 1979? Yes answers
Inflation and economic stagnation were inherited USA faced the same.
Labour were able to deal with the TU until the break down of social contract under the pressure from rising prices

Did labour deserve to lose the election of 1979? Yes answers
Labour was divided and did not offer solutions to strikes.
No strategy to deal with long-term economy problems.
Callahan didn’t recognise how serious the situation was in 1979.
Labour could not match the effective campaign waged by conservative under thatcher 
