Chapter 6: Liberal reforming legislation

Question 1

Who was the Home secretary in Wilsons government?

Answer 1

Roy jenkins

Question 2

Did the labour party initially set out to introduce liberal reforms?

Answer 2

no - Wilson was conservative on moral issues and many working class labour MPs were suspicious of change
- backbench MP’s brought forward reforms via private members bills - Roy Jenkins was sympathetic so allowed enough parliamentary time for these reforms to be passed
-moral issues allow free votes (MPs don’t have to vote along party lines)

Question 3

Why was capital punishement ended (1969) and what was the public reaction?

Answer 3

anti-hanging campaign had increasing support - case of Ruth Ellis was controversial (Young mother who murdered her unfaithful lover)
- generally positive (some people were disapointed it didn’t reduce the number of murders or violent crimes)

Question 4

What was the 1969 divorce reform and what was the public reaction?

Answer 4

• proof of adultery no longer needed (No fault divorce) - could divorce if partners had lived apart for 2 years and both wanted a divorce or 5 years if one wanted a divorce
• opposition from some who view divorce as against christian values
• decline of the nuclear family - divorce rate increased (10 in 1000 marriages by mid 1970s)

Question 5

What was the 1967 abortion act and what was the public reaction?

Answer 5

• Liberal MP David Steel led the campaign - allowed legal abortions before 28 weeks - only justification needed was mental suffering - made abortion more accessible
  (before this 100,000 illegal abortions had been happening each year, with around 35,000 hospital admissions)
• thalidomide disaster did sway public opinion to be more supportive
• opposition groups were set up (society for the protection of the unborn child)

Question 6

What was the 1967 sexual offenses act?

Answer 6

Leo Abse (a labour backbencher) took up the cause (with Jenkins support)
- decriminalised private sphere homosexuality (three conditions - both partners consent, both over 21, IN PRIVATE)
- not a complete end to prosecution - “private-sphere” was vague so men were still getting punished
- homosexuality remains taboo and immoral

Question 7

How did Tony Crossland reform the education system?

Answer 7

• became minister for education in 1965
• issued circular 10/65 - requested all schools convert to comprehensive schools - many authories responded - promise of funding for new school buildings
• 1970 - 1145 comps (only 8 authorities had failed to convert)
• BUT middle class parents could still send children to independent schools

Question 8

What were polytechnics?

Answer 8

replaced colleges of technology - applied education for work and science - 30 polytechnics by 1968
- introduced as Robbins report shows Britain is behind france and Germany in terms of university places and students studying STEM

Question 9

How many universities were there by 1968?

Answer 9

56 - new courses - made higher education possible for more people (although middle classes still attended the old universites)

Question 10

Who was responsible for the creation of the open university

Answer 10

Wilson, supported By Jennie Lee

Question 11

When was the open university set up?

Answer 11

first students began in 1971 - used radio and TV - attracted mature women and disadvantaged students
- 70,000 students by 1980 - awarding more degrees than oxford and cambridge combined