how far did heath change con party

Question 1

intro/ summary

Answer 1

1. series of U turns which contradicted the promises of Selsdon Man and was ousted from office after only 1 term.
2. He failed to stop the growth of inflation which led to a series of strikes.

Question 2

economic

Answer 2

1. promised to break with the post-war consensus, reducing state intervention and ensure greater competition in industry.
2. He nationalised Upper Cylde Shipbuilders and Rolls Royce- first U-turn and failure.
3. Inflation rose to 10% whilst growth rate decelerated to 1.7%. Stagflation became a common trait.

Question 3

industrial relations

Answer 3

1. promised to be tough on the unions and early moves indicated that this would be the case. 1971 Industrial Relations Bill wanted to set up industrial Court and ban the closed shop.
2. Heath then faced huge wage demand from the unions and the number of days lost to strikes increased to 23 million in 1972.
3. Heath’s handling of the miners’ strike was even more disastrous.

Question 4

political

Answer 4

1. Northern Ireland was a disaster for Heath. The policy of internment without trial alienated the Catholic population and his feeling of alienation was exacerbated by the actions of British troops on Bloody Sunday.
2. Miners’ strike of 1973-4, the three-day week and Heath’s response to call an election on the slogan ‘who governs Britain’ was a political disaster for the Conservatives.
3. Heath only gained 297 seats.

Question 5

social

Answer 5

1. Education budget rose under Thatcher at the Education Ministry, with the raising of the school leaving age to 16.
2. Spending on health, agriculture and environment increased.