Political Developments: Both 1974 Election Results Flashcards
When did the First 1974 election happen?
February
When did the second 1974 election happen?
October
Why did Heath call for an election in February?
He wanted to ask the country if the unions or the government ran the country
How did the public respond to Heath’s question on who ran the country?
Said the unions ran it
Which party got a seat majority in the February election?
Neither of the partys
What did the split in votes in the February election show?
People could not decide if Conservatives could stay or if Labour would mess it up
How did Wilson get Labour to be the ruling party after the February election?
He created a coalition of other parties to get a majority
What main parties did Wilson combine with the Labour seat majority?
Scottish National Party
Liberals
What was the organisation of party’s for a majority called?
Lib-Lab pact
What election did the Lib-Lab pact occur?
October 1974 election
What are 2 ways that Labour tried to get more support for the October election?
Ended 3 day weeks
Paid off the Trade Unions
Who were 2 significant politicians who opposed Heath’s leadership in February 1974 election?
Enoch Powell, not wanting to be part of the EEC
Margaret Thatcher, believing Heath shouldve kept initial economic policies
What did Labour form with the Trade Unions to try and get their support?
Social contract
What is a social contract?
An informal agreement in which unions give up wage demands to protect their existence
What did Labour do in the social contract?
They repealed everything from the 1971 Industrial Relations Act
What were some things Labour removed from the 1971 Industrial Relations Act?
Industrial Relations Court
Having to sign up to a government register to be legally recognized
What was the benefit for the Party’s signing under the Lib-Lab pact?
They were able to have referendums in their own borders on laws put in place
What was the result of Thatcher challenging Heath’s leadership?
She won
What did Thatcher put in place in the Conservative Party?
She adapted the ‘new right’ of Heath’s initial policies
What seat majority did Labour get in October 1974?
42 seats
What did Heath fail to do in the February election that would have given him a majority?
Make an alliance with Labour
What was the February 1974 election called?
The “Crisis” election
What did Heath misjudge about the public for the 1974 election?
He failed to recognise the mounting inflation affecting everyone in the country
How were even shopkeepers negatively affected by inflation?
Prices rose so often they had to buy new price tags of which the prices were also rising
