Labour and Conservative governments 1964-79 Flashcards
Why did Labour win the 1964 election?
Labour strengths- blamed Tories for ‘13 wasted years’, desire for new, classless Britain, popular with voters under 44
Tory weaknesses- Douglas-Home out of touch, scandals seem out of control and elitist, rise of the Liberal party (e.g. Orpington by-election 1962)
1964 election result
317 Labour
304 Tory
Why was the 1964 election close?
Tax cuts in 1963 budget, Labour divisions bad for reputation, Labour leaders seemed inexperienced (Tories since 51), immigration helped Tories win votes
Was Wilson an effective leader?
Effective- increased majority to 96 in 1966, series of social reforms (Race relations, family planning, equal pay), education reforms (grammar -> comprehensive, open university), only 4 cabinet resignations
Ineffective- had to devalue £ to deal with balance of payments deficit, in place of strife, Vietnam war angers Johnson and left of Labour party
Was Heath an effective leader?
Effective- ‘one nation’ aim led to regional development, joins EEC in 1973
Ineffective- 280,000 miners on strike Jan-Feb 1974, 3 day working week and STATE OF EMERGENCY Dec 1973, loses election Feb 1974
Were Wilson/Callaghan effective leaders?
Effective- IMF loan 1976, social contract 1973 doesn’t immediately fail like previous attempts, majority up to 42 Oct 1974 election
Ineffective- Winter of discontent 78-79, economic crisis means they have to get IMF loan, Lib-Lab pact 77-78
What were Wilson’s economic policies?
He inherited £800 million balance of payments deficit
- Deflationary measures: foreign loans 1964, taxes on tobacco and alcohol
- National plan Sep 1965: target growth of 3.8% annually, NOT successful as treasury wouldn’t cooperate with DEA or NBPI
- Devaluation Nov 1967 after Seamen strike £1-$2.40, not super successful still needed deflationary measures
What were Heath’s economic policies?
Successfully joins EEC 1973, inflation reaches 10% by 1974, oil price shock 1973 -> 4x higher price of oil, state of emergency 1973
What were Wilson/Callaghan’s economic policies?
Inflation 30% by 1975, unemployment 1.3 million, £6 ceiling on wage increases, IMF loan 1976 (borrow $3900 million)
How did Wilson deal with industrial relations?
In Place of Strife Barbara Castle 1969- TUC and left of labour party angry about legal sanctions, 50+ MPs rebel
Wilson backs down and gives TUC their power back- Wilson was seen as weak
How did Heath deal with industrial relations?
Industrial relations act 1971 sets up the NIRC, could impose 60 day cooling off period for strikers, FAILS because TUC didn’t comply
280,000 miners on strike 1974- Arthur Scargill organised flying pickets, led to 3 day week
How did Wilson/Callaghan deal with industrial relations?
Social contract agreed 1973: unions say they’ll cooperate in controlling wage increases
Winter of discontent 1978-9: Ford workers get 17% pay increase so refuse collectors and other public workers all go on strike
Why did Conservatives win 1970 election?
Conservative strengths- attractive policies of less strikes, less state intervention in industry and joining EEC were popular, Heath hardworking, used TV appearances well, sacked Enoch Powell for 1968 immigration speech
Labour weaknesses- In place of strife 1969 showed Wilson as weak and unions out of control, Wilson ran bad campaign as opinion polls put him far ahead of Heath, Labour membership down 150k since 1964
1970 election result?
330 Tory
287 Labour
