Labour Divisions Flashcards
What were the labour divisions pre 1964
-Labour divided between Bevanites + Gaitskelites
-bevanites -> movement by left wing lab incl Castle + Foot, supported decolonisation, anti prescription charges, state ownership of economy
-gaitskellites -> opposed nationalisation, in favour of more market orientated economy + supported Gaitskell budget 1951 introduce prescription charges on NHS
Who emerged leader of the 1963 lab party
-after death Bevan 1960 (left leader) + Gaitskell 1963 (right leader) Wilson emerged conciliatory leader
-Wilson focus on technological modernisation united both left + right and minimised underlying tensions over Clause IV
What were the personal rivalries within the Labour
-personal rivalries between Wilson + powerful colleagues
-Wilson feared leadership challenge from brown, Callaghan or Jenkins
-brown -> hugely resentful lost leadership election to Wilson + further disappointed not foreign secretary 1964
-Jenkins -> a gaitskellite + Wilson didn’t support liberalising legislation Home Secretary + seamen strike 1966 caused sterling crisis Wilson took his attempt get support devaluation as plot replace himself with Wilson as party leader
Criticism of Wilson
-too paranoid as Callaghan + Jenkins would work together as both criticised each other
-e.g. Callaghan not fan of Jenkins pro European stance nor liberal legislation + Jenkins critical of failure debate when Callaghan chancellor
-too much Wilson attention + energy devoted keep party united + stopping colleagues threatening his position
-no challenger from left but left wing unionists, local govt + youths frustrated with his govt + this made likely divisions re-emerge in 1970s
