Decolonisation - Withdrawal From East Suez

Question 1

Why did lab continue decolonisation after the cons govt?

Answer 1

-lab knew from 1964 needed be reduction in Br military commitments for econ reasons

Question 2

Who was Dennis Healey?

Answer 2

-minster defence 1864-70
-chancellor exchequer 1974-79
-right wing of lab + deputy leader 1980-83

Question 3

What did Healey do as minister for defence 1964-70?

Answer 3

-started process spending cuts to bring defence budget below £2b by 1970
-his defence white paper set timetable for troop withdrawals from Aden, ME + Singapore
-but cuts didn’t go far or fast enough given econ situation lab inherited

Question 4

What did Wilson continue to believe in?

Answer 4

-both Atlantic alliance + Br continuing world role
-no debate giving up nuclear deterrent despite cost
-Wilson govt announced continuation deploy US Polaris missiles
-1967 commitment made to upgrade the system

Question 5

What happened in January 1968 concerning Roy Jenkins?

Answer 5

-drastic spending cuts by Jenkins after 1967 devaluation crisis
-withdrawal from east suez rapidly accelerated
-troops pulled out of Aden, Malaysia + Singapore end 1971
-development new high tech war plane abandoned due to cost