5. Labour N’ Conservative Governments

Question 1

1964 Election

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Reasons for Labours win in 1964

Loss of popularity for by con:

Answer 2

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)

Question 3

Reasons for labours win in 1964
Appeal of labour

Answer 3

Harold Wilson was seen as a man of the people and not a typical MP

Morden promise for technology
Technological rev white heat tech

Question 4

Reasons for labours win in 1964
Other factors

Answer 4

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

Question 5

1964 and 1966 and 1970 election

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What problems did William face in 1964

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What did Wilson achieve?
Social reforms

Answer 7

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 

Question 8

What did Wilson achieve?
Education

Answer 8

Comprehensive system was expanded

Open universities was established to give greater access to higher education
Number of unis increased

Question 9

What did Wilson achieve?

Economic policy

Answer 9

The balance of payment deficit was down from over 800 million to 400 million in 1969
Better modes of transport in various areas

Question 10

What did Wilson fail to achieve?
The economy

Answer 10

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

Question 11

What did Wilson fail to achieve?
Trade unions

Answer 11

Strikes caused major problems. 1966 seamens strike damaged econ and loss of confidence —> devaluation

Economic growth stopped by high costs



Question 12

1970 election

Answer 12

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

Question 13

1970 election
Division within labour

Answer 13

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


Question 14

1970 election reasons for labours loss
Econ problems

Answer 14

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

Question 15

1970 reasons for labours loss
Appeal of the Cons

Answer 15

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

Question 16

1970 election reasons for labours loss
What was a key factor

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What did heath want to do 1970-74

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Problems heath faced

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Why was industrial relations policy important in heaths government?

Answer 19

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 

Question 20

What was the governments policy?
Industrial relations act 1971

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Heaths government problems with the coal industry? Strike action

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Why was the 1972 coal miners strike significant?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

The clash of 1973 oil crisis November the oil crisis lead to high price rises.
Heaths options were…

Answer 23

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

Question 24

What did heath decided to do in 1973 clash and what did it lead to?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Why did labour win in February 1974 ( Wilson)

Answer 25

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


Question 26

The problems of the labour Gov 1974-79

Answer 26

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

Question 27

The winter of discontent 1978-79

Answer 27

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



Question 28

Did labour deserve to lose the election of 1979? Yes answers

Answer 28

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



Question 29

Did labour deserve to lose the election of 1979? Yes answers

Answer 29

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