Edward Heath 1970-1974 (T3)

Question 1

What party was Heath from?

Answer 1

Conservative

Question 2

What did he attempt to do after his 1974 victory?

Answer 2

To break with consensus politics

Question 3

What PM is Heath compared to?

Answer 3

He is sometimes called a precursor to Margaret Thatcher

Question 4

What is Heath most remembered for?

Answer 4

His U-turn on policy and the three day work week

Question 5

What was another name used for Heath?

Answer 5

“Selsdon man”

Question 6

What were Heath’s ideas which he outlined when he was first elected?

Answer 6

• Promising fewer gov. controls
• A tough approach to TUs
• No support for failing industries

Question 7

Why did Heath get the nickname “selsdon man”?

Answer 7

Wilson criticised Heath’s ideas - he called them radical + closely linked to the idea of the radical free market pressure group, The Selsdon Group

Question 8

How did Heath’s increased free market approach lead to his achievements?

Answer 8

On coming into power, he cut taxes + spending and ended Wilson’s income policy

He determined wages should be set by the market

Question 9

What was the 1971 Industrial Relations Act?

Answer 9

Limited trade union power - very unpopular with TUC

Question 10

Why was the 1971 Industrial Relations Act an achievement for Heath?

Answer 10

It limited the trade union’s power

Question 11

When did Britain finally join the EEC?

Answer 11

1973

Question 12

What was the EEC?

Answer 12

A precursor to the EU

Question 13

What were Heath’s successes in his time as PM?

Answer 13

• 1971 Industrial Relations Act
• Joining the EEC
• Cuts on tax and spending

Question 14

What is the major event that he is remembered for?

Answer 14

He is most remembered for his U-Turn on the ‘Selsdon Man’ speech

Question 15

What did Heath say that he would do in the ‘Seldon Man’ speech?

Answer 15

He said he would reduce govt control, tougher approach to trade unions, and there would be no support for failing industries.

Question 16

What did he do to make the economy less ‘Keynesian’, and more free market?

Answer 16

The conservatives cut taxes and spending, and determined that wages should be set by the market, not the govt.

Question 17

What did he do that limited trade union power?

This was before the ‘Selsdon Man’ speech

Answer 17

He passed the 1971 industrial relations act, which made it legal for a ‘no strike’ clause to be put into workers’ contracts.

Question 18

What union did Britain join in 1973?

Answer 18

The EU

Question 19

How did the budget cuts of 1971 affect Britain’s economy?

Answer 19

Inflation soared and production fell. Partly due to the cuts

Question 20

How high had unemployment risen in 1972?

Answer 20

Rose over 1 million

Question 21

How did Heath conduct a U-Turn?

Answer 21

He lost his nerve, returning to increasing govt controls and more interference in industry.

Question 22

How much money did Heath put into the economy?

Answer 22

£2.5 billion was put into the economy, given in the form of increased pensions and benefits, as well as tax reductions.

Question 23

What was the effect of putting the money into the economy?

Answer 23

It brought down the unemployment level to 550,000 by 1974 - indicated the “Selsdon man” approach had been abandoned

Question 24

How did the miners strike affect Britain?

Answer 24

It meant that Heath had to implement a 3 day work week.

Eventually the unions won, demonstrating their power.

Question 25

What was Heath’s slogan in the next general election?

Answer 25

‘Who governs Britain?’

Not him, he lost. Shows again the power of the trade unions.

Question 26

What was unemployment like in 1972?

Answer 26

It had reached 1 million

Question 27

What happened in 1973 that badly affected the economy?

Answer 27

The Oil Crisis

Question 28

What was the 1973 Oil Crisis?

Answer 28

1973 oil crisis began in October 1973

The members of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries proclaimed an oil embargo

The embargo was targeted at nations perceived as supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War

Question 29

What did the 1974 Miner strike force Heath to do?

Answer 29

Implement the 3 day work week

He eventually gave in to the strikers demands

Question 30

What were the main problems faced by Heath?

Answer 30

• Unemployment
• 1973 Oil Crisis
• Miners strike in 1974
• Lost the election after the miners strike

Question 31

What were Heath’s main achievements?

Answer 31

• Less Keynesianism
• 1971 Industrial Relations Act
• 1973 Britain joins the EEC

Question 32

When Selsdon man was abandoned what did the government do?

Answer 32

Pumped £2.5bn into the economy

Question 33

What proves that Heath had left the relationship with TUs in tatters?

Answer 33

• Industrial Relations Act
• 1972 Strike
• Events surrounding 1974 strike