Factors contributing to Labours downfall in 1979 Flashcards
What are four key factors in Labour’s
- The winter of discontent
- Strong conservative appeal (Thatcher)
- Divides in the Labour party/weak party leadership
- The IMF crisis/inflation
How many public sector workers went on strike in the winter of discontent and what professions were they?
1.5 million - bin men, grave diggers, fuel tanker drivers.
Where became a temporary rubbish dump? What did this represent?
Leicester square - a visual breaking of Britain.
What class did the rubbish situation make the conservatives appeal to?
The middle class
What was the cause of the inflation?
The oil crisis because of the Arab-Israeli war.
How big was the IMF loan? How much was used?
3 billion -> only half.
How much did the public expenditure cuts due to IMF increase unemployment by? When?
1.6 million in 1978.
How did IMF deepen the right left divide?
The right were focused on public spending while the unilateral left wanted to give up nuclear power.
What majority did Labour have?
Three seats
In what way was Callaghan different to Wilson?
He was much more passive and willing to see how things played out.
When were the two byelection that lost Callaghan his majority?
1978
What did Callaghan lose politically in 1978?
The two byelections, the LIb-Lab pact, and support from the SNP due to devaulation.
When was Callaghan’s perfect point to call an election? Why?
1978 - inflation had dipped, he was in peak position to win.
When was Callaghan’s perfect point to call an election? Why?
1978 - inflation had dipped, he was in peak position to win.
When was the vote of no confidence? How many votes did Callaghan lose by?
1979 - 1 vote (all of the opposition voted against him)
