divisions within the labour party Flashcards
who was Nye Bevan?
-founded NHS
-believes in welfare state
-shadow Foreign Secretary after Attlee
-resigned over prescription fees being introduced
-supported by Labour left and trade unionists
who was Hugh Gaitskell?
-part of Butskellism (mixed economy)
-polar opposite of Bevan
-was the one who introduced prescription charges
-on the right of labour
-leader of labour in 1955
-wanted to reform labour to make it more centre left
what was the view of the labour left (fundamentalists) about nuclear weapons?
-many joined CND
-worried nuclear weapons would take money away from reforms
-Bevan initially opposed Britain developing nuclear weapons, then changes his mind and makes a speech opposing disarmament
-wanted to distance GB from reliance on US
what was the view of the labour right (revisionists) about nuclear weapons?
-wanted an independent nuclear deterrent to make Britain a secure state
-believed the public wanted nuclear weapons
-wanted to keep a close alliance with US for national security
what was the view of the labour left (fundamentalists) about the economy and nationalisation?
-opposed Gaitskell’s proposition
-Bevan published something which argued strongly for public ownership over private ownership
what was the view of the labour right (revisionists) about the economy and nationalisation?
-Gaitskell wanted to abolish Clause IV, which is the clause the committed labour to nationalisation
-believed the public were against further nationalisation
-ended up backing down
what was the view of the labour left (fundamentalists) about party organisation?
-wanted unions to have a big say in party policies
-wanted block voting as it favoured left leaning unions
-there were big internal divisions which widened in the late 1950s, due to different ideologies and personalities
what was the view of the labour right (revisionists) about party organisation?
-believed the parliamentary party should have the deciding vote on party policy
-against block voting
