Internal Labour Divisions

Question 1

Why were there internal divisions?

Answer 1

-Attlee continued as leader 1955
-great wartime gen of lab leaders ageing + often in poor health
-growing spoilt in party, ideology + personalities

Question 2

Who was Bevan?

Answer 2

-minister health Attlee govt + architect for NHS
-hero to lab left
-resigned 1951 in protest against prescription charges — support from lab MPs + TUs
-upset with defeat was wanted lab be more socialist

Question 3

Who was Gaitskell?

Answer 3

-chancellor exchequer 1950-51
-introduced prescription charges
-right of lab + became leader 1955 defeating Bevan
-tried reform lab but unsuccessful

Question 4

What were the divisions over nuclear weapons?

Answer 4

-Bevan initially opposed Br nuclear weapons but 1957 announced opposition for Br unilateral nuclear disarmament
-many lab left joined campaign for nuclear disarmament (CND)
-may have turned voters away from lab

Question 5

Why were the problems with unions increasing?

Answer 5

-until late 1950s unions were happy with full employment
-but 1956 left wing cousins became eager TGWU - most powerful union
-cousins led fierce union opposition to Gaitskell over Br nuclear weapons

Question 6

Who was Frank Cousins?

Answer 6

-leader TGWU 1956
-1950 led unsuccessful strike against Mac govt
-1960 bitterly opposed Gaitskells leadership of lab
-cousins led unions to take left position hostile to party leadership - carried into 70s + 80

Question 7

What party conferences saw battles about direction of lab?

Answer 7

-after 1959 election loss divisions more apparent
-annual party conferences Blackpool 1959 + Scarsborough 1960 saw battles about direction of Labour

Question 8

What happened at annual party conferences in Blackpool?

Answer 8

-1959 - before general election
-Gaitskell idea abolishing clause 4 - committed lab to nationalisation
-clear opposition from left + union leaders would be fierce in opposing
-Gaitskell backed down without vote