Chapter 6 Flashcards
When did Roy Jenkins become labour home secetary
December 1965
What was the cultural situation by the late 60s
Some of the old taboos and prejudices which Roy Jenkins had deemed prejudicial to civilised society had begun to break down.
What is the reason for liberal change in the late 60s in society
It was a gradual evolution, greater affluence, youth culture and spread of technology also played a part, it can be argued that changes from the top were only a result of changes from the bottom
Did the labour goverment set out with a liberalising agenda
Their manifestos made no mention of moral issue.
What is free vote
Individual mps can vote according to their own conscience rather than following an official party line, this approach was usually taken on moral issues
What impact did private members bills have
The 1960s saw backbench mps bring for war a number of reforms through this mechanism, they were successful because Roy Jenkins was sympathetic and so enabled enough parliamentary time for these bills to be passed
Who was Ruth Ellis and what impact did she bring
She was a young mother convicted of murdering her abusive boyfriend in 1955, this gave a boost to the anti hanging campaign
What was the homicide act
Was passed In 1957 by the Tory goverment and categorised the type of murder you could be hung for
Who was the Labour backbencher who introduced the abolition of the death penalty
Sydney Silverman
How did the moors murderers impact the abolition of the death penalty
Their arrest came four weeks after the suspension of the death penalty so received life sentences this created support for hanging
What were the details of the murder act of 1965
Abolished death penalty and replaced with life imprisonment
Act was made permanent in 1969
The act left four capital offences: High treason, “piracy with violence”, arson in a royal dockyard, and espionage.
Last execution in the uk was in 1964
When was the death penalty finally and completely abolished
1998, by the human rights act and the crime and disorder act
What was the impact of the 1965 murder act
Was a huge change
Statistics do not show that it made any significant difference to crime rates
There was a still a large number of people that wanted the death penalty back
In 1994 parliament rejected the return of the death penalty for the last time.
What changes in attitude were there towards homosexuality during 50s and 60s
Saw a relaxation in attitudes
What legislative restriction was there towards homosexuality prior to the sexual offences act of 1967
Up until 1960s homosexuality was a crime punishable with a prison sentence of 2 years
What can be marked as the start of change in attitudes towards homosexuals
The Wolfenden report 1957 it recommended that consenting adult homosexuals should be able to have sex in the privacy of their own home. People were beginning to realise that homosexuality was not a curable illness and punishment was not the right awnser however the conservative goverment rejected the report
What was the Impact of the wolfenden report
A group of distinguished people came together to support it. They became the homosexual law reform society.
What attitudes where there towards homosexuality when Wilson won the election for the first time
Was a feeling of pity as it was seen as a medical condition and they couldn’t be cured
Who were the main promoters of a new bill in July 1966
Lord arran and leo abse
What was the issue with the bill proposed in July 1966
The fear older men would prey on younger men, abse conceded that the age of consent should be 21, however opposition was still faced from George brown who saw corruption of the young as an issue, other opposition came from those who saw homosexuality as immoral
What was the main reason for success
Roy Jenkins as home secretary
When did the sexual offences act become law
27th of July 1967
What parts of the uk did the homosexual law apply to
Only applied to England and wales
Only became legal in Scotland and Northern Ireland in 1980s
What were the details of the sexual offences act
Both partners had to consent
Both had to be over the age of 21
It had to be in private
What was the situation concerning abortion before the abortion act 1967
Until 1967 abortion had been illegal unless the mother’s life was in danger. Before this act the number of backstreet abortions was said to be around 100,000 per year
What was the thalidomide crisis
Was given to pregnant woman to prevent morning sickness, infants were born with disastrous malformations of the limbs, abortions took place in order to stop these babies from being born it seemed highly hypocritical to allow abortions for this
Who introduce the private members bill for abortion
David steel he was supported by Jenkins
Details of the abortion act 1967
Abortion must be agreed on by two doctors because of psychological or medical needs
What reasons was divorce alowed before 1937
Adultery, however this was very tricky as woman were very financially dependent
What improvements were there 1937
The wife could add to the list of faults drunkness insanity and desertion, however social norms were very restrictive women would often stay with horrible men to avoid being judged and discriminated against
Who was Leo abse and what did he do
He was a labour mp between 1958 and 1987 he introduced a pmb to try and permit divorce after seven years of separation. This failed but became the basis for what became the divorce reform act of 1969.
When did the divorce reform bill get passed and become active
1969 became effective on January 1st 1971
Details of the divorce act
Before:
1. Adultery
2. Unreasonable behaviour: physical violence, verbal abuse, drunkness or drugs
3. Resention
After:
4. You have lived apart for more than two years and you both agree to the divorce
5. You have lived apart for 5 years even if one of you doesn’t agree
What was the progression for the women in the divorce reform act
The law showed women as now equal partners in marriage
What was the impact of the divorce reform act
Inevitably within two years of the law coming into being, the number of divorces doubled
