Liberalising Reforming Legislation Flashcards
Info that is on the specification
What was the labour government’s initial stance on liberal reforms?
did not set out with a liberalising agenda
What were most labour leader’s stance on moral issues?
more conservative views
How were laws passed that were in relation to moral issues?
a free vote
What is a free vote?
MPs having an individual votes rather than voting based on overall beliefs of the party they belong to
What was the purpose of a private members’ bill?
to have backbench MPs propose legislation
When did discussions about getting rid of the death penalty begin?
1950s
What significant event happened in 1955 which gave the anti-hanging campaign a significant boost?
Ruth Ellis
How did the conservatives previously deal with the increasing opposition to the death penalty?
reduced the amount it was used in 1957
What labour backbencher lead the anti-hanging campaign within parliament?
Sydney Silverman
What did Silverman aim for?
total abolition of the death penalty
When was the first free vote held?
1965
What did the free vote result in?
abolition of the death penalty for a trial period of 5 years
When was the second free vote?
1969
What was the result of the second free vote?
abolition made permanent
What did Jenkins contribute to the internal prison system?
did not authorise the beating of prisoners - ceased after 1967
How did Jenkins change the chance of getting a guilty verdict in court?
he removed the need for unanimity and introduced majority votes
What was the system of getting a divorce like in the early 1960s?
- almost impossible for those in the lower classes
- needed evidence that one party committed adultery
What act was passed in relation to divorce?
Divorce Reform Act - 1969
What did this divorce act allow?
a no fault divorce
What were the conditions of a no fault divorce?
1- living apart 2 years and both partners wish for a divorce
2- living apart 5 years and only one partner wishes for the divorce
What was the impact of the introduction of this divorce reform?
huge increase in number of divorces
- 1950s - 2 in 1000
- mid 1970s - 10 in 1000
What year was abortion illegal up until?
1967
How were abortions performed when it was illegal?
- private clinics (for the wealthy)
- backstreet abortions
How many illegal abortions were performed each year?
between 100,000 and 200,000
How had abortions been campaigned for in the past?
Abortions Law Reform Association campaigned in 1945
Who led the abortion reform into parliament?
David Steel
What act was passed in regards to abortion?
Abortion Act - 1967
What were the terms of the abortion act?
- only first 28 weeks
- medical supervision needed
- written consent from 2 doctors
How were homosexual acts dealt with up until the 1960s?
men could be imprisoned for 2 years for participating in homosexual acts
Who took up the case of homosexual rights?
Leo Abse
What were the terms of the Sexual Offences act?
- both partners had to consent
- both partners had to be over the age of 21
- had to be in private
What act was passed in regards to homosexuality?
The Sexual Offences Act - 1967
What was the issues with the fact that homosexual practices could only be in private?
‘in private’ was interpreted as no one else in the building - so a nearly impossible feat
What type of education system had Britain being using?
Tripartite system
Why did people have issues with the tripartite system?
it was seen as socially divisive
What new type of school was introduced?
Comprehensive schools
What was the purpose of a comprehensive school?
so that pupils could learn at their pace and be tested on their strengths
How many students attended comprehensive schools in 1964?
1 in 10
How many comprehensive schools were there by 1974?
1145
Who was put in charge of the new schools?
Tony Crossland
How did Crossland affect the new comprehensive schools?
his support sped up the production of comprehensive schools
How did higher education change?
more focus on science and technology rather than arts based subjects
What types of schools replaced colleges of technology?
poly-technics
What type of university was created?
The Open University
What was the purpose of the open university?
to allow women and the disadvantaged education
Who was put in charge of open universities?
Jennie Lee
