The 1966 General Election

Question 1

Election Results

Answer 1

• Labour: Wilson, 48% popular vote, 364 MPs
• Conservatives: Heath, 41.9% popular vote, 253 MPs
• Liberals: Grimond, 8.5% popular vote, 12 MPs
• Wilson increased the majority of seats he had to 66

Question 2

Reasons Why Labour Won

Answer 2

• Wilson was more in tune with popular culture and society in the 60s
• He kept his 1964 manifesto commitments, e.g. creating a Department of Technology and investing in the ‘White Heat of Technology’
• Labour’s commitment to modernity was evidenced, e.g. expansion of universities and the strengthening of science
• Ran with the slogan “You know Labour government works”
• Won with larger majority of 66 seats

Question 3

Reasons Why Conservatives Lost

Answer 3

• Heath was an inexperienced campaigner compared to Wilson who was experienced
• Heath was unable to connect with voters, seemed uncomfortable in TV debates
• Conservatives hadn’t had much time to prepare their campaign as it was a ‘snap election’
• Heath wasn’t well known to the British public as he had only been leader of the Conservatives 8 months prior to the election