Sixties: 1964 + 1970 Election

Question 1

How did Labour strength win them the 1964 election?

Answer 1

1. 1961 Gaitskell (“we will fight and fight and fight again to save the part we love”) succesfully overturned unilateralism at party conference (after crisis at 1960 Scarborough Conference) and Labour ratings in poll rose
2. CDS grew in influence compared to Bevanite forces
3. Wilson was flexible and pragmatic, dropped “nationalisation”, became more central, effective party manager, gifted speaker
4. introduced “modernisation” as key policy approach eg “white heat of technology” and “jet age”
5. emphasised use of media to win “floating voters” and slogans like “Let’s go with Labour”

Question 2

What Conservative scandals affected the 1964 election?

Answer 2

1. 1963 Vassal Inquiry: allegations of civil servant spying for USSR
2. 1963 Kim Philby: foreign office spy for USSR
3. 1963 Argyll Divorce case: gov ministers having sex with Duchess of Argyll; judge said ‘disgusting sexual practices’
4. 1963 Profumo Affair: war minister affair with Christine Keeler

Question 3

What Conservative weaknesses led to election failure?

Answer 3

1. stop go policies unpopular eg Selwyn Lloyd 1961 pay pause
2. Beeching Report (55% stations and 30% tracks closed)
3. Night of the Long Knives damaged “Supermac’s” reputation
4. Macmillan delayed resignation and recommended Home as leader in letter to Queen; corruption of denying Butler a chance as leader; ‘old boy network’ and 9 who helped were old Etonians
5. Home had no support from leading Conservatives like Powell and Ian Macleod

Question 4

How did other socio-economic factors affect election?

Answer 4

1. Gaitskell death: “best prime minister Britain never had”
2. media’s attention on Profumo affair eg the Times said “it is a moral issue”
3. increase in satire
4. Tony Benn campaigning for 1963 Peerage Act
5. more effective campaigning force under Jo Grimond which doubled their share of the vote primarily at the expense of the Conservatives

Question 5

How did Labour’s weakness lead to their defeat in the 1970 election?

Answer 5

1. Wilson taunts about ‘Selsdon Man’ actually strengthened Conservatives
2. lacked motivation eg opinion polls predicted lead of 6-12%
3. economic U-turn, ongoing re-inflation + productivity
4. balance of payments £31 mill deficit (released 3 days before election)
5. industrial relations problems
6. unemployment highest since 1940
7. Vietnam issue
8. weak election campaign compared with vision of 1964 eg used 1966 argument of rescuing economy + Tory extremism but lost credibility
9. Wilson’s paranoia, some disunity eg disillusioned left and falling party membership

Question 6

What conservative strengths helped them win the 1970 election?

Answer 6

• Heath’s image as non-stereotypical tory and fresh approach eg policy review, Europe, “selsdon man”, tax + TU reform proposals + sacking Powell
• unity behind Heath despite doubts
• Powell’s appeal after “rivers of blood”

Question 7

How did other factors affect the 1970 election?

Answer 7

• trade figures announcement at election times
• loss of national prestige after 15th June world cup defeat
• liberals struggled to establish new leader Jeremy Thorpe due to Powell
• Powell gained conservatives 2.5mill votes + views supported in monday club (2000 by 1970)
• low turnout

Question 8

What was the result of the 1970 election?

Answer 8

• George Brown lost seat in Belper, held since 1945
• Jennie Lee lost Cannock seat held since 1935 (10.7% swing)
• of 6 Labour MPs that returned, only 3 had majority of less than 1000 = Thorpe, Steel and Pardoe
• Labour support fell from 69.6%-57.1%
• 18% of Labour and 24% liberal powellites voted Tory (50% were working class)
• Powell in own constituency had majority 26,220 (64.3% vote share)