Liberal social reforms of the 1960s + education Flashcards
What is a private members bill?
When backbench MPs propose legislation not directly through the government
What is a free vote?
When MPs can vote with their own conscience not along party lines.
Name 4 social reforms that benefited women
Abortion
Divorce
Family Planning
Equal Pay
Which MP argued for the legalisation of abortion? and when was it legalised?
David Steel from the Liberal Party. Legalised in The Abortion Act 1967 where you could terminate until 28 weeks. Abortions quadrupled in 7 years.
Who opposed abortion?
Conservatives, especially after the death penalty had been abolished which seemed hypocritical and also the Catholic church.
How was divorce reformed?
With the 1969 Divorce Reform Act, a consensual no-fault divorce was created for couples who lived apart for 2 years before you had to prove abuse or adultery. Divorce rates increased 250 times from 1950 to 1970..
Who was Wilson’s liberal Home Secretary?
Roy Jenkins
How was family planning reformed?
Family Planning Act 1967 allowed councils to give advice on birth control regardless of marital status whereas it used to just be married women. Also the pill was made available in 1961.
Give 2 example of reform private members bills that were passed
Homocide Act 1957 - backbench Labour MP Sydney Silverman secures free vote to ban capital punishment.
Sexual Offences Act 1967 - Labour MP Leo Abse put forward a bill to allow homosexual acts between consenting men over 21 in England.
What social reforms were there for race relations?
Race Relations Act 1965 made it illegal to discriminate on the grounds of race in public spaces and put together a race relations board to deal with complaints.
What racist continuity was there in 1960s?
Despite the 1965 act racism was still not treated as a crime and was allowed to continue in housing and work. Also Enoch Powell was stirring up immigration tensions with his Rivers of Blood speech leading to the Commonwealth Immigrations Act 1968 limiting it.
What changes were there to media and censorship?
There were emerging forms of media like TV which added BBC2 in 1964 and ownership was at 91% by 1971. Also the 1968 Theatre Act removed any censorship from plays leading to more risque plays like Hair and around this time Alfie was a popular film.
How did life not change for women?
Still mainly seen as domestic and in the home - still only 28% of students. Also more than half of the people still married their first sexual partner.
Who was the minister for education under Wilson?
Anthony Crosland
How did the government reform secondary schools? was there any success?
They introduced comprehensive schools (state schools) to be a more progressive and equal alternative to the tripartite system and gave building money to LEA’s who did so. By 1970 there were 1145 comprehensives.
