chapter 5 Flashcards
page 43
what were the results of the 1964 election?
wilson as PM
304 tory seats, 317 lab
why was wilson’s campaign so successful?
‘white heat’ speech - was keen to keep up with modernising britain and embrace modern tech & cultural trends
appealed to the people. working class background and down to earth public image - the pipe
what were the results of the 1966 election?
wilson as PM
253 tory seats, 363 lab
41.9% tory votes, 47.9% lab
why was heath’s campaign less successful?
-tories viewed as out of touch compared to modern labour
wilson was a better tactician
heath came across as stiff & without personality
what were wilson’s left actions?
bevanite
challenged gaitskell for leadership from the left in 1961
what were wilson’s right actions?
supported nuclear deterrent
attempted to reform trade unions
what was a key economic policy/need for britain?
modernising british economy - catching up to west germany & japan
affluence of post-war boom was not reflected in productivity or growth rates
constant inflatin, runs on the pound or balance of payments crisis
how much of a deficit did labour inherit?
£800 million
who was chancellor of the exchequer in 1964?
callaghan
what was an issue with using deflation to solve the deficit?
would enforce the stop-go method
stop labour from meeting manifesto commitments of spending more on technology & welfare
what was an issue with using devaluation to solve the deficit?
would make britain look weaker to the world’s perspective. would also make it weaker as it would have to scale back on global activities eg. military
also would gain reputation of devaluation due to attlee in 1949
how would devaluation help the deficit?
make importing more expensive and make british goods more expensive in other countries, helping the balance of payments
what was set up to create a new economic solution?
DEA department of economic affairs
what happened to the DEA?
solutions did not amount to much and it was abandoned in 1967
how did the gov bring down inflation?
prices and incomes policy
which strike caused a sterling crisis in 1966?
seamen strike
was defeatred but people were shocked by wilson’s critical attitudes to strikers
when and why was there a dock strike?
1967
oil supplies affected by war in the middle east
what was the effect of the national dock strike?
devaluation could not be avoided
defence cuts and introduce hire purchase restrictions
when was the second EEC application rejected?
1967
why may wilson’s leadership have affected this?
wasnt fussed about europe so didnt really care and much of the labour party did not want to join
