7 - Harold Wilson And The Labour Governments Flashcards
When were Labour elected into power? What was it committed to?
1964
Liberalisation and science/technology
What 2 reforms were Labour noted for?
Abolition of the death penalty and legislation of abortion
What background did Wilson come from? Where was he educated?
Middle-class Oxford
What did Wilson serve as? What was he highly regarded for?
Senior civil servant
Organisational ability
What was Wilson considered to be politically? What did this limit in his leadership?
Untrustworthy
Effectiveness
Who was Wilson’s Home Secretary?
Roy Jenkins
What 2 things did Jenkins legislate? What 2 things did he liberalise?
Homosexuality and abortion
Divorce laws and death penalty
Who succeeded Jenkins as Home Secretary? What was his previous role?
James Callaghan
Chancellor of the Exchequer
When did the Conservatives return to power? Under who?
1970
Heath
What dominated British politics in the 1960s? How much debt did Wilson inherit?
The economy
£800m
Who was increasingly reluctant to investing in Sterling?
Foreigners
What was Wilson’s priority in politics? How would this happen?
To rebuild the economy
Increase imports to pay off deficit
What would imports raise international confidence in?
Sterling
What Department was created under Labour? Who oversaw it?
Department of Economic Affairs
George Brown
What was the aim of the DEA? Between what 3 groups was competition encouraged?
Create a National Plan
Government, employers and trade unions
When was the National Plan dropped? Why?
1967
Poor economic growth
What problems mounted when Wilson took office again in 1966?
Economic
At what level did industrial disputes arise? What type of strikes did local shop stewards call?
Local level
“Wildcat” strikes
How many working days did Britain lose to strikes in 1960? How many in 1970?
3 million
10 million
What 2 groups’ strikes were particularly damaging? Why?
Seamen/Dockers
They reduced exports
What was valued too highly? How much was this devalued by the government in 1967?
Sterling
14%
What did the devaluation of Sterling improve? What did this lead to?
Exports
Inflation in Britain
By 1968, how much had inflation risen? How much did unemployment still remain at?
18%
2%
What was the Balance of Payments deficit by 1961?
£95 million
What was the Balance of Payments deficit by 1964?
£382 million
What was the Balance of Payments deficit by 1967?
£301 million
How much in seat majority did the Tories win in 1970? Why?
30 seats
Labour’s failures
Why did Wilson’s government have an unsuccessful economic record? What did they fail to join for the 2nd time?
Rising unemployment and inflation
EEC
Why had the Conservatives succeeded in 1970? What did the party offer?
Effective campaign
A “new style of government”
How did Harold Wilson reassure the British public on devaluation?
“This doesn’t mean the pound in your pocket/bank has been devalued”
How much did a US$ decrease in value post-devaluation? From what amounts?
40 cents
$2.80-$2.40
