Labour and Conservative Govts. 1964-79 Flashcards
- Labour victory 1964 - Wilson as leader 1964–1970 - economic problems and policies - relations with the Trade Unions - Labour party divisions - 1970 election - Heath as party leader and Prime Minister - aims and policies of Heath’s government - industrial relations & miners’ strike - Wilson and Callaghan 1974–1979, problems and policies 1974–1979
1
Q
Failures of Labour 1974 - 79: Industrial relations
A
- diplomatically inept & ignorant of Br. public’s plight
- exacerbated tensions which erupted in WOD - public thought
- unable to reach a resolution
However: merely a reaction to poor economic climate and the ‘straw that broke the camels back’
2
Q
Economy
A
- highlighted inefficiency of Govt.
- inflation rose to 20%
- economic slump & unemployment
- £3.9 bil IMF loan saw £2 mil slashed from public spending
Ultimately the greatest failure - poor economic climate = soc & industrial tensions + political instability
3
Q
Political instability
A
- Lib-Lab pact in ‘74 - weak as reliant on other party to prop up govt. - had only won by a 3 seat majority - public alr lacked faith in govt.
- divisions between Left & Right (Benn & Foot) - these weren’t as polarising as the 50s
