Edward Heath 1970-1974 (T3) Flashcards
What party was Heath from?
Conservative
What did he attempt to do after his 1974 victory?
To break with consensus politics
What PM is Heath compared to?
He is sometimes called a precursor to Margaret Thatcher
What is Heath most remembered for?
His U-turn on policy and the three day work week
What was another name used for Heath?
“Selsdon man”
What were Heath’s ideas which he outlined when he was first elected?
- Promising fewer gov. controls
- A tough approach to TUs
- No support for failing industries
Why did Heath get the nickname “selsdon man”?
Wilson criticised Heath’s ideas - he called them radical + closely linked to the idea of the radical free market pressure group, The Selsdon Group
How did Heath’s increased free market approach lead to his achievements?
On coming into power, he cut taxes + spending and ended Wilson’s income policy
He determined wages should be set by the market
What was the 1971 Industrial Relations Act?
Limited trade union power - very unpopular with TUC
Why was the 1971 Industrial Relations Act an achievement for Heath?
It limited the trade union’s power
When did Britain finally join the EEC?
1973
What was the EEC?
A precursor to the EU
What were Heath’s successes in his time as PM?
- 1971 Industrial Relations Act
- Joining the EEC
- Cuts on tax and spending
What is the major event that he is remembered for?
He is most remembered for his U-Turn on the ‘Selsdon Man’ speech
What did Heath say that he would do in the ‘Seldon Man’ speech?
He said he would reduce govt control, tougher approach to trade unions, and there would be no support for failing industries.
What did he do to make the economy less ‘Keynesian’, and more free market?
The conservatives cut taxes and spending, and determined that wages should be set by the market, not the govt.
What did he do that limited trade union power?
This was before the ‘Selsdon Man’ speech
He passed the 1971 industrial relations act, which made it legal for a ‘no strike’ clause to be put into workers’ contracts.
What union did Britain join in 1973?
The EU
How did the budget cuts of 1971 affect Britain’s economy?
Inflation soared and production fell. Partly due to the cuts
How high had unemployment risen in 1972?
Rose over 1 million
How did Heath conduct a U-Turn?
He lost his nerve, returning to increasing govt controls and more interference in industry.
How much money did Heath put into the economy?
£2.5 billion was put into the economy, given in the form of increased pensions and benefits, as well as tax reductions.
What was the effect of putting the money into the economy?
It brought down the unemployment level to 550,000 by 1974 - indicated the “Selsdon man” approach had been abandoned
How did the miners strike affect Britain?
It meant that Heath had to implement a 3 day work week.
Eventually the unions won, demonstrating their power.
What was Heath’s slogan in the next general election?
‘Who governs Britain?’
Not him, he lost. Shows again the power of the trade unions.
What was unemployment like in 1972?
It had reached 1 million
What happened in 1973 that badly affected the economy?
The Oil Crisis
What was the 1973 Oil Crisis?
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
What did the 1974 Miner strike force Heath to do?
Implement the 3 day work week
He eventually gave in to the strikers demands
What were the main problems faced by Heath?
- Unemployment
- 1973 Oil Crisis
- Miners strike in 1974
- Lost the election after the miners strike
What were Heath’s main achievements?
- Less Keynesianism
- 1971 Industrial Relations Act
- 1973 Britain joins the EEC
When Selsdon man was abandoned what did the government do?
Pumped £2.5bn into the economy
What proves that Heath had left the relationship with TUs in tatters?
- Industrial Relations Act
- 1972 Strike
- Events surrounding 1974 strike
