how successful was wilson as PM (1964-70)

Question 1

intro/summary

Answer 1

1. clear successes in social and foreign policy but this has only been appreciated with hindsight by later generations who acknowledge his civilising effect.
2. Voted out by electorate in 1970- judged him a ‘failure’- they were disillusioned with high taxation.
3. Mishandling of the economy was his biggest failure.

Question 2

failures

Answer 2

ECONOMIC
1. Inherited a poor economic position with an £750million deficit and had bad luck in the sterling crises caused by hostile speculators in the city.

2. Economic growth slow to 2%.
3. Bank rate raised to 7% and wages frozen in 1966 July Package.
4. Devaluation in 1967- cuts to departmental budgets.
5. Political failure : Rejection in the bid to enter the EEC by De Gaulle in 1967.

Question 3

success social

some successes but to the electorate of 1970, this could not compensate for the economics

Answer 3

SOCIAL
Success in presiding over legislation that helped to create a more civilised Britain- abolished the death penalty, legalised abortion and homosexuality, ended censorship, reformed divorce law and criminalised racial discrimination.

Question 4

success political

some successes but to the electorate of 1970, this could not compensate for the economics

Answer 4

3. POLITICAL He held the government together and handled the volatile situation in Northern Ireland well.

Question 5

success foreign policy

some successes but to the electorate of 1970, this could not compensate for the economics

Answer 5

4. FOREIGN POLICY
   ensured no British soldier ever set foot on Vietnamese soil whilst at the same time, securing American support for the British economy- these successes were not appreciated at the time.