Politics Flashcards
Why may someone left-wing credit the Atlee govt?
Created welfare state, carried the nation into peacetime, established Keynesianism in the country, encouraged decolonisation.
Why may someone right-wing credit the Atlee govt?
Made no attempt to destroy capitalist system, encouraged defence spending and made nuclear commitment, didn’t nationalise all industries, held the festival of Britain.
Why may someone left-wing criticise the Atlee govt?
Made no attempt to truly overthrow capitalist system, thrown away opportunity to be truly radical, made no effort to take over private banks or insurance companies. Too dependent on America, class system remained, NHS failed to fulfil expectations, introduced conscription.
What is a political consensus?
General agreement between political parties on key issues.
What were the main features of the post-war political consensus?
Maintaining full employment, working with trade unions, high welfare spending, mixed economy. (Keynesian economics)
How did the consensus start to break down under the Heath govt?
Heath felt the state should be removed from peoples lives. Introduced tax and spending cuts. Unions were becoming more powerful than the state. Had new thinkers in his party such as Margaret Thatcher and Keith Joseph.
How did the consensus continue to break down under the labour govt of 74-79?
Adopted monetarism and abandoned post-war commitment to full employment. The winter of discontent led to a loss in confidence of the consensus. Forced to make spending cuts after the IMF loan and Callaghan thought Britain should cut spending. Implemented social contract which broke down. Had radical thinkers like Tony Benn and Michael Foot.
What was Butskellism?
Policies accented equally by R.A. Butler and Hugh Gaitskell who were both parties chancellors of the exchequer.
What industries had contentious nationalisation between the parties?
Iron and steel. Nationalised by labour in 1949, denationalised by conservatives in 53 and nationalised in 67.
What did Heath promise about involvement in the economy and what did he actually do?
promised to intervene less in the economy and allow market forces to operate more freely. Ended up nationalising Rolls Royce and subsidised upper Clyde shipbuilders.
How were both parties relations with unions in the late 60s and 70s?
Labour seemed to promote industrial harmony to a better extent. Labour did propose the White paper ‘in place of strife’ which was rejected by the unions. Labour also struggled with unions during winter of discontent. Conservatives struggled with unions during miners strike which led to three day week.
Was there consensus over education?
Labour came out firmly for the comprehensive system in 1964 however the conservatives supported the tripartite system and wanted grammar and public (private) schools to remain. Both expanded higher education.
Was there consensus over the commonwealth?
The labour party gave independence to India which the Tories opposed however after this Macmillan did not oppose the decolonisation happening across Africa. There were some differences in their attitudes but not significant.
Was there consensus over foreign policy?
Both accepted the need for nuclear weapons and both attempted to maintain the special relationship with the USA. Labour condemned the actions of Eden during the Suez crisis. Both parties removed all foreign bases east of the Suez.
Was there consensus over entering the EU?
The conservatives were keener on the EU than labour. Both parties had pro and anti EU members.
Was there consensus over immigration/race relations?
Conservatives restricted immigration which was opposed by labour (1962). Labour introduced the race relations acts of 1965 and 1968 which the conservatives opposed. Labour restricted entry of Kenyan Asians(Tories would agree with). Powell gave rivers of blood speech condemned by both parties.
