Labour Divisions Flashcards
What issue divided the Labour Party after their 1951 defeat?
The party was divided between the Bevanite Left and Gaitskellite Right over trade unions, nuclear disarmament, NATO, the EEC, and Clause IV
What did the Bevanite Left of the Labour Party support?
Keeping Clause IV, strong union influence, leaving NATO and the EEC, distancing from the US, and unilateral nuclear disarmament.
What were the views of the Gaitskellite Right?
Abolishing Clause IV, reducing union influence, maintaining NATO and US ties, and favouring multilateral disarmament.
What caused Labour’s poor performance in the 1955 General Election?
Internal divisions, especially over nuclear policy. 61 Bevanites defied party leadership and abstained on a key vote, damaging Labour’s defence credibility.
What happened in the 1959 General Election?
Despite initial optimism, Labour lost due to economic recovery under Macmillan and a poorly planned pension policy. The Conservatives portrayed Labour as disorganised and divided.
What was Gaitskell’s proposal at the 1959 Labour Party Conference?
He proposed removing Clause IV, but was overruled by party members.
What happened at the 1960 Labour Party Conference?
Bevanites, with union support, forced unilateral disarmament onto the party. Gaitskell opposed this emotionally, and it was overturned the following year.
What effect did the deaths of Bevan and Gaitskell have on the party?
After their deaths (Bevan in 1960, Gaitskell in 1963), Harold Wilson became leader and began unifying the party.
How did Harold Wilson’s position shift within the Labour Party?
Though from the Bevanite Left, Wilson worked with Gaitskell and later adopted more centrist views, supporting nuclear deterrence and trade union reform as PM.
