harold wilson (labour) 1964 - 1970

Question 1

how much was the bopd wilson inherited?

Answer 1

£800 million

Question 2

what type of characteristics did wilson have compared to douglas home

Answer 2

hardworking, intelligent, charming, kind, unitive, reslient, optimistic, practical. home was seen as ‘out of touch’ with modern ideals, he was a scottish aristocrat.

Question 3

what did wilson promise in his manifesto

Answer 3

social reformation and more economic planning - a technological revoloution in order to take britain forward

Question 4

name 3 social reforms introduced under labour

Answer 4

roy jenkins (HOME SECRETARY) undertook a policy of modernisation . . .

• RACE RELATIONS LAW
• VOTING AGE LOWERED FROM 21 TO 18
• CAPITAL PUNISHMENT WAS ABOLISHED
• EQUAL PAY ACT

Question 5

when did the bopd begin to improve

Answer 5

1969

Question 6

what measures did wilson take to tackle the bopd

Answer 6

deflationary measures- rose tax and cut government spending amounts > august 1964, higher taxes were placed on tobacco and alcohol.
- additional import surcharge - additional tax on goods coming into a country placed on top of import duty.

Question 7

how did wilson manage his cabinet

Answer 7

he gave ministerial positions to people in his party that upheld a range of opinions, allowing him to avoid extremism.

Question 8

what problems did labour face upon entering office

Answer 8

• bopd
• economic growth of britain was very much behind that of other developed, industrial countries
• nationalised industries were very costly
• defense costs were very high which resulted in a lack of investment into domestic needs.
• social problems > the education system did not offer opportunities for students to go into higher education
• internal divides within his party

Question 9

why did the NATIONAL PLAN (1965) fail?

Answer 9

• targets were too high - (annual growth rate of 3.8% over six years)
• the treasury did not co operate with the DEA
• recommendations for gvt spending was undermined by the treasury’s deflationary measures

Question 10

why did the government devalue the pound in 1967

Answer 10

seen as the only way out of economic difficulties

Question 11

what impact did the 1966 seaman strike have

Answer 11

it damaged the economy and led to a loss of confidence, which subsequently led to devaluation

Question 12

what was place of strife? (1967)

Answer 12

it required unions to ballot members prior to calling strikes and achieve settlements via ‘arbitration’. it was an unpopular policy that was abandoned.

Question 13

what was unemployment figures in 1967?

Answer 13

postwar high - 2.5 million

Question 14

why was ipos unpopular

Answer 14

-seen as a restriction of tu freedoms, its aim was to reduce the power of trade unions.

Question 15

what happened to labour seats in the 1966 election

Answer 15

increased to a majority of 110

Question 16

how much payrise did the seamen demand in 1967

Answer 16

17 percent

Question 17

how did wilson deal with vietnam

Answer 17

wilson made it very clear that britains economic recovery and security depended on close alliance with americans. he told the commons that he ‘supported american stands against communist infiltation of south vietnam’ however, he did not send british troops, in 1966 publicly criticised heavy bombing and 1967 he attempted to broker a peace deal > he never really took a side and tried to make everyone happy

Question 18

how did wilson deal with southern rhodesia

Answer 18

wilson tried personal diplomacy - he proposed a settlement that would leave smith in power provided a majority rule was introduced some time in the future.

Question 19

was wilson accepted into the eec

Answer 19

no, membership was denied by de gaulle in nov 1967.