Assess the reasons for Labour’s victory in 1964 Flashcards
Harold wilson’s leadership of labour
Presented a more united labour by glossing over internal divisions (over issues such as the EU)
Showed labour as modern and progressive
Manifesto issued promised range of policies to promote faster economic growth and decrease unemployment which the conservatives were being blamed for
Wilson 60% approval rating - more unified and electable, contrast to leader before him (George brown who spent less than a month in office)
Personified new progressive Britain in which talented people of all classes could succeed as he cultivated his image to be a man of the people - Yorkshire born, grammar-school body and a football fan
Wilsons leadership however
Despite increasing rejection of c, labour only achieved small majority (4 seats and 200k votes)
Opinion polls fell after election of Harold Wilson as leader
Revival of the liberal party
Ability to contest more seats drew attention away from conservatives as many middle-class voters who wanted to register their protest were not prepared to vote for labour
Overturn 14,700 c majority to lib majority of 7850 in 1962 Orpington by-election
Revival of party benefited labour and helped ensure victory as gave labour seats in Dover, wellington and Bolton east
Had 900 voters in 8 constituencies not voted or voted tory, con would have won
How the electorate regarded the conservatives
Increasing blame put on party for growing economic problems, unemployment and inflation as they didnt have any answers to any of those issues
Increasing blame exacerbated by chancellor Maudlings tax cuts in 1963 which contributed to £800 million trade deficit
Conservative implications in seedy sex scandals such as Promufo affair increased public distrust in party, leading to labours claim that tories presided over ‘thirteen wasted years’
Conservative leader sir Alec Douglas Home Scottish aristocrat, highlighting how out of touch party was as it juxtaposed the economic hardship the public had been facing
How electorate however
Labour only achieved small majority & swing of just 0.3%
Both parties votes fell with liberal votes almost doubling
Meaning, revival of the liberals most significant as it provided voters with an alternate party that took away votes
Changing British society
People more independent and less willing to accept traditional values which the conservatives represented
Cultural changes that happened throughout the decade with rise of satire poking fun at politicians and cinema which challenged attitudes towards sex
Labour pledges to “harness science” to their “economic planning” aligned with changing society and views as young individuals aspired to create a modern britain run with professional scientific competence > more pop with voters under 44
Changing British society however
Many voters still distrusted labour and its links to trade unions
District in leaders as few of them had held office before
Doubt in labours ability to handle crises, especially international problems as conservative leaders were more reliable on defence
Rejection of the conservatives than an endorsement of labour with societal changes having little influence
Society hadn’t progressed very far > overtly racist campaign in smethwick overturned labour majority with con victory by 1700
