Liberal legislation Flashcards
What was the Criminal Justice Act?
A 1967 act which introduced ‘majority’ jury verdicts instead of unanimity. Jenkins refused to authorise the use of corporal punishment
What was the NHS Family Planning Act?
A 1967 act which made contraception available for all. It was a private members bill introduced by Edwin Brookes
What was the equal pay act?
A 1970 act which introduced the principle of equal pay for equal work. Most women were underemployed in low skilled jobs with little chance of promotion. In 1958 women were paid less than 2/3 of a man’s salary for the same work. It was not enforced for 5 years after it was introduced.
What was the race relations act?
1965 and 1968 act. It prohibited discrimination in public facilities, housing, employment and commercial services on the basis of race.
Who was responsible for the liberal reforming legislation under Wilson?
Wilson himself, the Labour government and the backbench MPs
What was the representation of the people act?
A 1969 act which lowered the voting age to 18
Did the Labour government set out with a liberalising agenda?
No
Did Wilson’s manifesto mention moral issues?
No
What was the commonwealth immigration act?
A 1968 act hoping to limit immigration triggered by the sudden influx of Kenyan Asians. It invalidated the papers of Kenyan refugees and limited numbers to 1500 refugees. Allowed Commonwealth citizens who had parents or grandparents born in Britain to return
What was the abolition of the death penalty act?
A 1965 act which was permanently introduced in 1969. Labour backbenchers had long been campaigning for the abolition. Was supported by Butler, Jenkins and Callaghan
What was the social security act?
A 1966 act which established the supplementary benefits scheme whereby the National assistance board became the supplementary benefit board. Also created the post of minister of social security.
What was the open university act?
A 1969 act which combined Wilson’s enthusiasms for equal opportunity in education, modernisation and the ‘white heat’ of technological development. By 1980, it had 70,000 students. Wilson later said he most wanted to be remembered for its creation. He commissioned Labour backbencher Jenny Lee to set it up
What was the divorce reform act?
A 1969 act which introduced ‘irretrievable breakdown’ as a reason for divorce. Jenkins believed the divorce laws were out of date. It increased the number of divorces, in 1950 less than 1 in 500 marriages ended in divorce but by 1970s it was 5 in 500
What was the matrimonial property act?
A 1970 act which improved the financial provision for women and children and made it much fairer. It deemed that a couple’s assets could be split in any way the court deemed just
What was the family planning abortion act?
The 1967 made it legal to terminate a pregnancy within 28 weeks on the grounds of legal suffering. Liberal MP David Steele led the reform campaign in Parliament and introduced it as a private member’s bill. Jenkins ensured an all nights common sitting to pass the bill.
What was the sexual offences act?
A 1967 act which decriminalised homosexual activity. The conservative government had rejected the Wolfended reccomendation and The Labour govt was divided. It was a private member’s bill introduced by Leo Abse. Support from Jenkins was essential
What was Jenkin’s position in Cabinet?
From 1965 to 1967 he was home secretary
What was the abolition of theatre censorship act?
It was a private member’s bill proposed by Labour backbencher George Strauss in 1968 which allowed nudity on stage. Support from Jenkins was key
What was the education reform act?
It was a 1969 act which introduced the largest expansion of comprehensive schools by joining grammar and secondary schools to form comprehensives. The govt made money for new school buildings conditional on plans for comprehensive schools being drawn up. It aimed to provide a ‘grammar school education for all.’ It was pushed forwards by the Labour minister of education, Tony Crossland
