7 - Harold Wilson And The Labour Governments

Question 1

When were Labour elected into power? What was it committed to?

Answer 1

1964

Liberalisation and science/technology

Question 2

What 2 reforms were Labour noted for?

Answer 2

Abolition of the death penalty and legislation of abortion

Question 3

What background did Wilson come from? Where was he educated?

Answer 3

Middle-class
Oxford

Question 4

What did Wilson serve as? What was he highly regarded for?

Answer 4

Senior civil servant

Organisational ability

Question 5

What was Wilson considered to be politically? What did this limit in his leadership?

Answer 5

Untrustworthy

Effectiveness

Question 6

Who was Wilson’s Home Secretary?

Answer 6

Roy Jenkins

Question 7

What 2 things did Jenkins legislate? What 2 things did he liberalise?

Answer 7

Homosexuality and abortion

Divorce laws and death penalty

Question 8

Who succeeded Jenkins as Home Secretary? What was his previous role?

Answer 8

James Callaghan

Chancellor of the Exchequer

Question 9

When did the Conservatives return to power? Under who?

Answer 9

1970

Heath

Question 10

What dominated British politics in the 1960s? How much debt did Wilson inherit?

Answer 10

The economy

£800m

Question 11

Who was increasingly reluctant to investing in Sterling?

Answer 11

Foreigners

Question 12

What was Wilson’s priority in politics? How would this happen?

Answer 12

To rebuild the economy

Increase imports to pay off deficit

Question 13

What would imports raise international confidence in?

Answer 13

Sterling

Question 14

What Department was created under Labour? Who oversaw it?

Answer 14

Department of Economic Affairs

George Brown

Question 15

What was the aim of the DEA? Between what 3 groups was competition encouraged?

Answer 15

Create a National Plan

Government, employers and trade unions

Question 16

When was the National Plan dropped? Why?

Answer 16

1967

Poor economic growth

Question 17

What problems mounted when Wilson took office again in 1966?

Answer 17

Economic

Question 18

At what level did industrial disputes arise? What type of strikes did local shop stewards call?

Answer 18

Local level

“Wildcat” strikes

Question 19

How many working days did Britain lose to strikes in 1960? How many in 1970?

Answer 19

3 million

10 million

Question 20

What 2 groups’ strikes were particularly damaging? Why?

Answer 20

Seamen/Dockers

They reduced exports

Question 21

What was valued too highly? How much was this devalued by the government in 1967?

Answer 21

Sterling

14%

Question 22

What did the devaluation of Sterling improve? What did this lead to?

Answer 22

Exports

Inflation in Britain

Question 23

By 1968, how much had inflation risen? How much did unemployment still remain at?

Answer 23

18%

2%

Question 24

What was the Balance of Payments deficit by 1961?

Answer 24

£95 million

Question 25

What was the Balance of Payments deficit by 1964?

Answer 25

£382 million

Question 26

What was the Balance of Payments deficit by 1967?

Answer 26

£301 million

Question 27

How much in seat majority did the Tories win in 1970? Why?

Answer 27

30 seats

Labour’s failures

Question 28

Why did Wilson’s government have an unsuccessful economic record? What did they fail to join for the 2nd time?

Answer 28

Rising unemployment and inflation

EEC

Question 29

Why had the Conservatives succeeded in 1970? What did the party offer?

Answer 29

Effective campaign

A “new style of government”

Question 30

How did Harold Wilson reassure the British public on devaluation?

Answer 30

“This doesn’t mean the pound in your pocket/bank has been devalued”

Question 31

How much did a US$ decrease in value post-devaluation? From what amounts?

Answer 31

40 cents

$2.80-$2.40