Labour 1974-1979 Flashcards
Who did the government controversially refer to as ‘spongers’
Unionists
What was special about the February 1974 election
Hung Parliament
What was the social contract with the unions
Voluntary restraint in wage rises given that the government wouldn’t intervene in discussions between unions & employers
Which two individuals on the left of the party did Wilson give cabinet roles too
Michael Foot - Employment
Tony Benn - Trade
Who was the Chancellor of the Exchequer
Denis Healy
How was the 1974 miners strike ended
Agreement on 35% pay rise with the NUM
What was abolished in 1974 that pleased the unions
The Pay Board
How much money was made available to building societies in 1974
£55 Million
How much was given to pension and food subsidies in the 1974 budget
£500 Million
How much was given to customer purchasing power in the 1974 budget
£900 Million
What was the government majority in the October 1974 election
3
What was inflation in December 1974
28%
When was the National Enterprise Board set up
1975
What did the National Enterprise Board do
Increase govt investment
Administer state shareholding in private industry
Financial aid for companies
Why did Foot introduce ACAS & The industrial protection bill 1975
Pacify industrial relations and resolve disputes
Which policy by TGWU leader Jack Jones became TUC policy in March 1975
Voluntary wage restraint and a flat rate rise of up to £6 a week
What policies were in the April 1975 budget
£250 million in new taxes
Cuts to public spending
Increased VAT
Which lame duck was part-nationalised in 1975
British Leyland
What was the key policy in the April 1976 budget
3% max in wage rises
What were the two biggest economic successes of the 2nd Wilson ministry
Fall in the BoP deficit
Fall in inflation (75-76)
When did the BoP deficit end
1977
What were the two biggest economic failures of the 2nd Wilson ministry
Steady rise of unemployment
Production levels and productivity remained low
When did the Liberal-Labour pact end
July 1978
When did Wilson resign
March 1976
When did Labour lose their majority due to by-elections
March 1977
How did inflation fall from 1975-1978
From 27% to 7%
How quickly was the 1976 IMF loan paid back
By 1979
What percentage pay rise cap was negotiated in August 1976
5%
How much did investment in manufacturing increase by in 1978
8%
Why did the TUC reject the 5% pay cap in Autumn 1978
Private business were getting higher pay rises
What pay rise did Ford Motors workers get
17%
Which areas of society were most effected by the WoD
Food supplies (lorry drivers)
Burials (gravediggers)
Public Health (binmen)
How did Callaghan deal with party divisions
Neutralised Tony Benn
Avoided resignations over the IMF loan
What did Callaghan say on his return from Guadeloupe
“I Swam”
What did the Sun say about Callaghan’s attitude to the WoD
Crisis? What Crisis?
Which MP left Labour for the Conservatives in 1977
Reg Prentice
What was the BoP surplus in 1978
£300 million
What caused the SNP to end their cooperation with Labour
40% clause
By how many votes did the government lose the vote of no confidence by
1
Who created the “Labour isn’t working” poster
Saatchi & Saatchi
What gift did Callaghan give to the US to celebrate the bicentennial
Golden reproduction of the Magna Carta
What was the Bermuda II agreement
Allowed for free travel for airlines between US and UK airports
Why was Wilson sceptical of the EEC
‘Capitalist Club’
What effect would it have on Unions
What did Wilson pledge about Europe in the 1974 manifesto
Renegotiate terms on agriculture, payments and the Commonwealth
Who were the most senior pro-EEC Labour MPs
Roy Jenkins and Shirley Williams
Who were the most senior anti-EEC Labour MPs
Michael Foot, Tony Benn and Barbara Castle
How can the change in Wilson’s view on EEC membership be seen
Sent out a leaflet urging people to vote to stay
When was the EEC referendum
June 1975
What percentage voted in favour of remaining
67%
How many were killed in the Troubles in 1974
65
What are the biggest reasons for Labour’s increase in Oct 1974
Resolving industrial issues
Liberal decline
What was the BoP deficit upon Callaghan’s exit
£900 million
Who long was the WoD
4 months (Nov 1978 - Feb 1979)
How many workers were on strike on January 22nd 1979
1.5 million
When did Chinese Premier Hua Guofeng visit Britain
1979 (First time since 1949)
When did Nixon go to China
1972
Who was assassinated in 1978
Georgi Markov
What country did the USSR invade in 1979
Afghanistan
