Hugh Gaitskell prescription charges

Question 1

What date is the Hugh Gaitskell diary extract from?

Answer 1

30th April 1951

Question 2

Why did Gaitskell believe the tax was necessary

Answer 2

‘I felt it was vital from the political angle that we should make a tremendous effort to economise on civil expenditure so that we could say to the country that only part of the burden was being carried by higher taxation.’

Question 3

Did hugh Gaitskell think the charges would be as controversial as they were?

Answer 3

He thought that ‘health charges would not in themselves loom very large in the background of the other charges’

Question 4

What did Gaitskell believe about Bevan’s resignation?

Answer 4

It ‘turned opinion even more sharply against him’

Question 5

What did Gaitskell say was Bevans reaction in party meeting the day after his resignation?

Answer 5

He had a shocking burst of bad tempter… ‘I won’t have it’

Question 6

What two observations did Gaitskell make with hindsight

Answer 6

1. He didn’t think the struggle would be quite so tough. If he had realised there were so many issues that meant defeat, perhaps he never would’ve started it, or would’ve at least surrendered early on
2. Bevan would now be able to exploit all of the opposition mindedness that Gaitskell believed was inherent within Labour Party members

Question 7

What did Gaitskell believe would happen is Bevan won the fight for the soul of the Labour Party?

Answer 7

Labour would be out of power for years