How Effective Was Harold Wilson As Prime Minister Flashcards
What problems did Wilson face when he became prime minister?
The Labour government had a majority of only four seats
The party’s promises about modernising British society needed to be fulfilled
There were pressing foreign and colonial problems to deal with
Senior figures in the government were talented but many disliked each other
The economic situation was serious
How big of a majority did Wilson get in the March 1966 general election>
A majority of 96, winning 363 seats overall and 13,064,951 votes
Who did the reforms of the Labour government in the 1960s are a lot owed to?
The home secretary, Roy Jenkins
What was some of the social reforms under Labour in the 1960s?
Abolition of the death penalty in 1965, made permanent in 1969
Race relation Act in November 1965 with discretion in public facilities illegal
Family Planning Act in June 1978 with contraception available to all in the NHS, not just married couples
Homosexual acts in private between consenting adults legalised in July 1967
Racial discrimination in housing and employment illegal in April 1968
Censorship of plays by the Lord Chamberlain ended
Voting age lowered from 21 to 18
In October 1969 the divorce process simplified and made less costly
Equal Pay Act in May 1970, men and women to receive the same pay for the same work
What were change sunder Wilson’s Labour in Britain in the 1960’s?
Race relations, Education policy, wanting strong relations with the US but not refused to send troops to Vietnam, attempt to handle the illegal declaration of independence in November 1965 of Southern Rhodesia by the white minority government, and the common market applications being rejected by de Gaulle in November 1967
