Topic 2: Wilson and Politics (1964-70) Flashcards
1
Q
3
Describe problems Wilson faced in 1964
A
- Inherited budget deficit of £750 million
- Balance of payments at £800m
- Slim HoC majority of 4 - vulnerable to rebellion
2
Q
4
Describe the ideology/policies of Wilson (1964-70)
A
- Resigned from cabinet in Bevan rebellion of 1951
- However supported nuclear deterrent and trade union reform
- Pragmatic centre of party - equated socialism with public control, not ownership
- Planning of exports and science/tech
3
Q
3
Describe Wilson’s image (1964-70)
A
- Classless - departure from etonians
- First PM educated at state secondary school
- Relaxed and skillful performer on TV
4
Q
5
Describe Party Unity under Wilson (1964-70)
A
- Triumvirate
- Fear of Jenkins/Callaghan plot
- Kitchen Cabinet
- Simulatenous promotion of Bevanites (e.g. Castle) and Gaitskellites (e.g. Crossland)
- Donnelly-Waytt revolt 1965
5
Q
4
Describe the triumvirate
A
- Brown placed as Economic Affairs Sec and First Sec of State
- Callaghan as Chancellor
- Brown promised greater power than treasury
- Brown bitter at leadership elec loss
6
Q
3
Describe the Jenkins/Callaghan plot
A
- Wilson wary of Callaghan/Jenkin’s support for devaluation after Seamen’s Strike 1966
- beleived it was plot to replace Brown/Wilson with Callaghan/Jenkins
- this is despite differences in European policy between latter 2
7
Q
5
Describe the kitchen cabinet
A
- Comprised of economic advisors and inner circle
- Met in No10 kitchen
- inc Peter Shore, Barbara Castle
- Gave ministers little access to him
- Reinforced Wilson’s suspicions of party rivalries
8
Q
5
Describe the Donnelly-Wyatt revolt 1965
A
- By-election defeat had reduced Lab majority to 3
- Revolt from 2 right-wing backbenchers (Wyatt & Donnelly)
- Refused to support the renationalisation of the steel industry
- Sufficient to block the nationalisation Bill
- Forced Wilson to delay steel nationalisation until after 1966 election
9
Q
3
Describe the pretext to the 1966 election
A
- Douglas-Home replaced by Heath in 1965
- Wilson dismissed 1965 election despite calls from many inc Benn
- 4.5% swing to Labour govt in Hull Jan 1966 by-election - vindicated Wilson of his decision
10
Q
3
Describe the 1966 election campaign
A
- Economic difficulties blamed on previous administration
- Pledged to join EEC
- Tories split over oil sanctions in Rhodesia
11
Q
3
Describe the results and effects of the 1966 election
A
- Majority of 96
- only 2nd election to give Lab big enough majority to secure full parliamentary term without 3rd party support (a feat not accomplished again until 1997)
- no repeat of Wyatt-Donnelly revolt
12
Q
5
Describe Wilson’s attempts to reform the House of Lords
A
- Attempted restructure in 1968
- Hereditary peerage would be replaced by a 2 tier system of appointments (voting and non-voting)
- Those peers entitled to vote would be appointed by the PM
- Opposed by both right and left (unlikely alliance of Powell and Foot)
- Bill withdrawn in 1969
13
Q
2
Describe Wilson’s attempted reform of local govt
A
- Redcliffe-Maud Report 1969, suggested England should be divided into 8 provinces with 3 metropolitan authorities
- Met with much resistance and nothing came of it
14
Q
3
Describe Wilson’s nuclear deterrent policy (1964-70)
A
- Abandoned identification with unilateral disarmament
- Continued with Polaris project and went ahead with 4 of 5 planned submarines projects
- Only concession was assurance that there would be no pretence for go-it-alone British nuclear action - seemed unlikely in any case
15
Q
3
Describe nationalist movements during Wilson 1st term
Just Scotland and Wales
A
- Emergence of Scottish/Welsh nationalism
- By-election defeats e.g. Lab majority of 16k in Hamilton overturned by SNP in 1967
- PC/SNP threatened Lab strongholds
