labour 1964-70

Question 1

What was Wilson’s famous quote about modernising Britain?

Answer 1

‘Britain will be forged in the white heat of technological revolution’

Question 2

How large a deficit were Labour left by the Conservatives in 1964?

Answer 2

£800 million (£13 billion today)

Question 3

What was Britain’s average % GDP growth 1950-73?

Answer 3

3% - lagging behind, Japan 9% W.Germany 6%

Question 4

When was the pound devalued?

Answer 4

November 1967 by 14%

Question 5

What was Wilson’s famous quote regarding devaluation?

Answer 5

“The pound in your pocket hasn’t been devalued”

Question 6

What % of the country favoured unions in the early 1960s?

Answer 6

Almost 60%

Question 7

What was ‘In Place of Strife’

Answer 7

Labour counter to Trade Union issues - rejected by 50 MPs including Callaghan

Question 8

What did Wilson do to combat growing unrest in Northern Ireland?

Answer 8

Sent in British army troops in August 1969

Question 9

What were the civilised society reforms?

Answer 9

Socially liberalising reforms introduced by Wilson/Jenkins

Question 10

What were some examples of civilised society reforms?

Answer 10

End of death penalty, legal abortions, divorce reform, legalising homosexuality

Question 11

What % of leisure time did TV account for by 1969?

Answer 11

23%

Question 12

How much did the number of foreign holidays increase between 1951-71?

Answer 12

From 2 million to 7 million

Question 13

How much did the number of total holidays increase 1951-71? (in terms of total number)

Answer 13

From 27 million in 1951 to 41 million in 1971

Question 14

When was theatre censorship abolished?

Answer 14

1968

Question 15

What % of students in higher education by 1970 were women?

Answer 15

28%

Question 16

What was the first race relations act (1965) and second race relations act (1968)?

Answer 16

1965 act banned racial discrimination in public places - 1968 act banned racial discrimination in housing and employment

Question 17

Why was the first race relations act ineffective?

Answer 17

Race Relations Board was weak, 75% of cases in first year dismissed due to lack of evidence

Question 18

What was Enoch Powell’s infamous racist quote in April 1968?

Answer 18

“rivers of blood”

Question 19

What was Wilson’s policy on the Vietnam War?

Answer 19

Moral support but no military support

Question 20

Why was Wilson’s Vietnam policy unpopular?

Answer 20

Annoyed the USA who wanted military backing + annoyed some who wanted condemnation of war

Question 21

Who was Frank Cousins?

Answer 21

TU leader appointed Minister of Tech in 1964 - resigned over govt incomes policy in 1966

Question 22

What was Wilson’s reaction to the seamen’s strike in 1966 and what was the impact of this?

Answer 22

Criticism - showed govt/union relationship was starting to break down

Question 23

How was the economy post devaluation?

Answer 23

Balance of payments surplus after Jenkins used deflationary methods, however inflation still 12%

Question 24

What were wildcat strikes?

Answer 24

Sudden strikes which started without a ballot

Question 25

What were Labour divisions between 1964-70?

Answer 25

Personal rivalries between Wilson, Brown, Jenkins and Callaghan - Wilson was paranoid of plots to replace him as PM

Question 26

What was Labour's educational reform between 1964-70?

Answer 26

Began implementation of comprehensive schools, Open University, polytechniks

Question 27

What % of UK universities were polytechniks by 1967?

Answer 27

35%

Question 28

What 3 main developments improved the lives of women between 1964-70?

Answer 28

legalisation of abortion (1967), 'no fault divorce' (1969), equal pay act (1970)

Question 29

What impact did 'no fault divorce' have?

Answer 29

Divorce rates increased by 5x between 1950-70

Question 30

Did women's rights progress during the 1960s?

Answer 30

Some progress through 'civilised society' reforms however were still seen as housewives and had little economic independence

Question 31

What is meant by the 'permissive society'?

Answer 31

Rise in hippie culture, increased sexual liberation, drug culture, far less censorship in media and arts

Question 32

What % of people in London in 1965 said they would refuse to live next door to a black person?

Answer 32

50%

Question 33

What % of people in London in 1965 said they would refuse to work with non-white people?

Answer 33

20%

Question 34

What % of people in London in 1965 said they disapproved of mixed race marriages?

Answer 34

90%

Question 35

What was Labour's policy towards the Conservatives' 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act?

Answer 35

Criticised it in the Commons however didn't repeal it when they took office

Question 36

What % of the population agreed with Enoch Powell's "rivers of blood" speech?

Answer 36

75%

Question 37

What was Denis Healey's 'East of Suez' policy?

Answer 37

£2bn in cuts

Question 38

What was Wilson's attitude towards Europe?

Answer 38

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