Labour governments of Wilson and Callaghan 1970s - Devolution Flashcards
Describe the Labour majority in the House of Commons by 1977.
It had disappeared so Callaghan strengthened the government by making the ‘Lib-Lab pact’.
What did the ‘Lib-Lab pact’ achieve for Labour?
Callaghan was able to defeat a vote of no confidence tabled by the Conservative’s.
Describe the deal of the Lib Lab pact.
12 Liberal MPs agreed to vote with the government in Parliament and in return Callaghan promised to move ahead with devolution for Wales and Scotland.
Who welcomed devolution and who didn’t?
- Welcomed by nationalists in Scotland and Wales (growing in strength since late 1960s)
- But the majority of MPs in the Conservative Party and many within Labour were against any form of devolution.
What happened in 1978?
Devolution Acts for Scotland and Wales were passed opening the way for referendums – terms of referendum set up in order to make it unlikely that devolution would pass.
When and what happened in the referendum?
1 march 1979
- The vote in Wales was conclusively against devolution.
- In Scotland, more people voted in favour of devolution than against it, but the rules stating that a simple majority was not enough meant that devolution was defeated.
What happened after the referendum?
The disappointed Scottish nationalist MPs withdrew their support from the Labour Party. This was to prove decisive in the aftermath of the events of the winter of 1978-1979.
What happened in Autumn 1978?
TUC reject Labours proposed wage increase limit of 5%.
What did this rejection encourage?
Trade unions to put in higher demands. Ford lorry drivers achieved a 15% increase in December after a 9-week strike. More unions followed their example.
What did the wave of industrial unrest action include?
Disruption to transport, through strikes by lorry drivers and the train drivers’ union ASLEEF.
How did the public-sector workers react?
In shock and outrage, such as hospital porters and clerical staff in local councils and, above all, by dustmen and gravediggers.
Describe the scale of the winter of discontent.
It was not on as big a scale or serious challenge to the government as the miners’ strike of 1974.
When were the disputes brought to an end?
In March 1979 - the average pay increase was 10% but the psychological effect of the winter had a devastating impact on the public mood.
