labour 1964-70 Flashcards
What was Wilson’s famous quote about modernising Britain?
‘Britain will be forged in the white heat of technological revolution’
How large a deficit were Labour left by the Conservatives in 1964?
£800 million (£13 billion today)
What was Britain’s average % GDP growth 1950-73?
3% - lagging behind, Japan 9% W.Germany 6%
When was the pound devalued?
November 1967 by 14%
What was Wilson’s famous quote regarding devaluation?
“The pound in your pocket hasn’t been devalued”
What % of the country favoured unions in the early 1960s?
Almost 60%
What was ‘In Place of Strife’
Labour counter to Trade Union issues - rejected by 50 MPs including Callaghan
What did Wilson do to combat growing unrest in Northern Ireland?
Sent in British army troops in August 1969
What were the civilised society reforms?
Socially liberalising reforms introduced by Wilson/Jenkins
What were some examples of civilised society reforms?
End of death penalty, legal abortions, divorce reform, legalising homosexuality
What % of leisure time did TV account for by 1969?
23%
How much did the number of foreign holidays increase between 1951-71?
From 2 million to 7 million
How much did the number of total holidays increase 1951-71? (in terms of total number)
From 27 million in 1951 to 41 million in 1971
When was theatre censorship abolished?
1968
What % of students in higher education by 1970 were women?
28%
What was the first race relations act (1965) and second race relations act (1968)?
1965 act banned racial discrimination in public places - 1968 act banned racial discrimination in housing and employment
Why was the first race relations act ineffective?
Race Relations Board was weak, 75% of cases in first year dismissed due to lack of evidence
What was Enoch Powell’s infamous racist quote in April 1968?
“rivers of blood”
What was Wilson’s policy on the Vietnam War?
Moral support but no military support
Why was Wilson’s Vietnam policy unpopular?
Annoyed the USA who wanted military backing + annoyed some who wanted condemnation of war
Who was Frank Cousins?
TU leader appointed Minister of Tech in 1964 - resigned over govt incomes policy in 1966
What was Wilson’s reaction to the seamen’s strike in 1966 and what was the impact of this?
Criticism - showed govt/union relationship was starting to break down
How was the economy post devaluation?
Balance of payments surplus after Jenkins used deflationary methods, however inflation still 12%
What were wildcat strikes?
Sudden strikes which started without a ballot
What were Labour divisions between 1964-70?
Personal rivalries between Wilson, Brown, Jenkins and Callaghan - Wilson was paranoid of plots to replace him as PM
What was Labour’s educational reform between 1964-70?
Began implementation of comprehensive schools, Open University, polytechniks
What % of UK universities were polytechniks by 1967?
35%
What 3 main developments improved the lives of women between 1964-70?
legalisation of abortion (1967), ‘no fault divorce’ (1969), equal pay act (1970)
What impact did ‘no fault divorce’ have?
Divorce rates increased by 5x between 1950-70
Did women’s rights progress during the 1960s?
Some progress through ‘civilised society’ reforms however were still seen as housewives and had little economic independence
What is meant by the ‘permissive society’?
Rise in hippie culture, increased sexual liberation, drug culture, far less censorship in media and arts
What % of people in London in 1965 said they would refuse to live next door to a black person?
50%
What % of people in London in 1965 said they would refuse to work with non-white people?
20%
What % of people in London in 1965 said they disapproved of mixed race marriages?
90%
What was Labour’s policy towards the Conservatives’ 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act?
Criticised it in the Commons however didn’t repeal it when they took office
What % of the population agreed with Enoch Powell’s “rivers of blood” speech?
75%
What was Denis Healey’s ‘East of Suez’ policy?
£2bn in cuts
What was Wilson’s attitude towards Europe?
Applied for EEC membership on economic grounds but was always more committed to the ‘special relationship’ and therefore was vetoed by De Gaulle in 1967
