Labour Govt 1974 to 1979 Flashcards
What was inflation and the BoP deficit at the time of Harold Wilsons ascendency in ‘74
15% and 3 billion
Why did Wilson decide to call a second election later in 1974
To gain a majority. He thought this would happen as voters would still associate Heath with the 3 day work week and Trade Union troubles.
What legislation did Wilson negotiate while in opposition in 1973 with the Trade Unions and what did it involve
The Social Contract-included voluntary pay restraint in exchange for repealing Heaths Industrial Act and Pay Board
Which left wingers were put in charge of the departments for Industry and Employment and what did this achieve
Michael Foot and Tony Benn-showed the Unions the govt wished to be cooperative and helped end the state of emergency and 3 day work week
Who was Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1974 and what did they do
Denis Healey-released 2 budgets trying to solve the economic crisis without provoking the unions
Where did Denis Healey make a speech concerning the dangers of inflation and what did he declare was important
Leeds-the necessity to control public spendingq
What did the April 1975 budget bring, in order to curb inflation
Raised taxes and cut spending
What board was set up in 1974, who administered it and what was its role
The National Enterprise Board, Tony Benn, it controlled the goverments share holdings in private companies, adn aimed to increase investment
Which failing car manufacture was rescued by Wilsons govt in 1975, prompting discussion of Lame Duck industries
British Leyland
When did Harold Wilson abruptly resign
March 1976
Why was callaghan seen as ideal to replace Wilson
He was experienced, well connected with the unions and seens as a ‘safe pair of hands’
At the end of 1976 what did Callaghan declare, undermining the post war consensus
Taht the govt could no longer maintain full employemnt in Keynsian fashion
What two things did callaghan declare were ‘‘twin evils’ and how did he want to ward them off
Unemployment and Inflation-ward them off by increased productivity
When was the IMF crisis and how much of a loan did Healey secure, on what conditions
end of 1976. 3 billion, dependent on Britain making drastic spending cuts
Why was there consternation surrounding the IMF crisis
Although the crisis was not that bad and Britain recovered quickly, it gave the image of being in industrial decline. The left wing of labour did not like the dependence on international financiers and leftist militancy, espeically in trade unions and local councils grew
What new development fixed, to some degree, the issue of the BoP
The extraction and exportation of North Sea Oil, by 1978 there were 9 oilfields production
After 1978, what were the inflation and unemployment numbers?
10% and 1.6million unemployed
What was the condition for the 1977 lib-lab pact
Devolution progress for scotland and wales, resulting in referendums in 1978
Why were scottish nationalist MPs dissapointed with the referendums and what were their reactions
even though a majority of people who voted wanted devolution, 40% of the entire electorate needed to vote yes so the vote failed. They withdrew their support from Callaghans govt, which would be decisive during the winter of discontent
What benefit did the lib-lab pact bring to Callaghan
With the 12 Liberal MPs, he was able to defeat a Tory vote of no confidence
What % pay increase did Ford lorry drivers achieve in december 1978 after a 9 week strike and what did this encourage
15%- lots of other workers and unions to begin striking for better pay
What did the TUC reject in the autumn of 1978
The labour goverments proposed wage increase cap of 5%
Following the winter of discontent, what was the average pay increase negotiated
just 10%
What issue forced a vote of no confidence that labour lost in march 1979
Scottish devolution
Did the winter of discontent have a genuine material impact on the UK
not really; it was more psychological, with the miners strike of ‘74 being more concerning.
Why did the conservative win the 1979 election
Despite labours support only dipping 3$, the Tories benefited hugely from a fall in support for the liberals and SNP.
By how many votes did the conservatives win the ‘79 election
43
