Why did Labour win in 1964? Flashcards
What was Harold Wilson’s key promise regarding economic planning and technology?
Wilson promised to “harness science to our economic planning” and that Britain would be “forged in the white heat” of scientific and technological “revolution.”
1963
What was Harold Wilson’s age when he became leader of the Labour Party?
Harold Wilson was 48 years old when he became leader of the Labour Party in February 1963.
1963
What type of education did Harold Wilson receive?
Wilson was educated at a grammar school.
1963
Where was Harold Wilson from, and what was his family background?
Wilson was from Huddersfield, Yorkshire, and came from a middle-class family.
1963
How was Harold Wilson perceived as a politician in comparison to his opponents?
Wilson was seen as a modern and dynamic politician, representing a new type of leadership compared to his peers.
1963
How did the Observer newspaper describe Harold Wilson in 1963?
The Observer described him as a “contemporary, classless figure.”
1963
How long had the Conservative Party been in power by 1963?
The Conservative Party had been in power since 1951.
1963
What was the reputation of the Conservative Party leading up to the 1964 election?
The Conservatives were accused of presiding over “Thirteen Wasted Years” and had been involved in multiple scandals, including the Profumo Affair, Philby Case, and Argyll Affair.
1963-64
What was the unemployment rate in 1963 under the Conservative government?
Unemployment reached 878,000 in 1963 under the Conservative government.
1963
What economic situation did the Conservative government face leading up to the 1964 election?
The government faced a “stop-go” economy with stagflation, marked by economic instability.
1963-64
Who was the leader of the Conservative Party in 1964, and what was his title?
The leader of the Conservative Party was Sir Alec Douglas-Home, who was the fourteenth Earl of Home.
1964
What action did Alec Douglas-Home take in 1963 regarding his title?
Alec Douglas-Home resigned his peerage in 1963 and was elected to the House of Commons.
1963
How were the Conservatives viewed leading up to the 1964 election?
The Conservatives were seen as out-of-touch, elitist, and incapable of dealing with contemporary problems in Britain.
1964
What complaint did Sir Alec Douglas-Home have about the media during the 1964 election?
Douglas-Home complained that television made him look “like a ghost” during the campaign.
1964
What event marked the revival of the Liberal Party?
The Liberal Party revived following the Orpington by-election of 1962.
1962
How did the Liberal Party perform in the 1964 UK General Election in terms of vote share?
The Liberal Party doubled its vote, from 1.6 million in 1959 to 3.1 million in 1964.
1964
How many seats did the Liberal Party win in the 1964 General Election?
The Liberal Party won 9 seats in the 1964 General Election, up from 6 in 1959.
1964
How did the Liberal Party impact the Conservative Party’s performance in the 1964 election?
The Liberal Party took votes away from the Conservative Party in key seats like Dover, Wellingborough, and Bolton East, allowing Labour to win them.
1964
What social phenomenon in Britain in the early 1960s influenced the 1964 election?
The “satire boom” undermined respect for authority figures, and youth subcultures became more prominent. This led to significant support for Labour among those aged 44 and under.
1964
What was the political impact of the satire boom and youth subcultures in the 1960s?
The satire boom and youth subcultures led to a large Labour lead among voters aged 44 and under.
1964
What contributed to the 1964 election being closer than expected?
The result was closer than expected due to effective Conservative campaigning and changes in leadership perception, including Douglas-Home’s growing popularity.
1964
How did Douglas-Home’s leadership style impact the 1964 election?
Douglas-Home gained popularity due to his modesty, self-deprecation, and “cheerfulness and unforced humour,” which helped win over MPs and voters.
1964
What slogan did the Conservative Party use in the 1964 election?
The Conservatives campaigned with the slogan “Conservatives Give Prosperity.”
1964
How did the Conservative Party’s slogan impact the 1964 election result?
The slogan “Conservatives Give Prosperity” helped reduce Labour’s lead from 20% in May 1964 to just 2% by September 1964.
1964
What action did Chancellor Reginald Maudling take in the 1963 budget?
Chancellor Reginald Maudling implemented tax cuts, including reductions in purchase tax and income tax.
1963
What was the unemployment rate in 1964, and how did it compare to the previous year?
Unemployment fell from 878,000 in 1963 to 300,000 in July 1964.
1963-64
What was the Conservative government’s economic growth target for the future?
The Conservative government set a target of 4% economic growth per year.
1964
How did the Conservative strategy affect the Labour Party’s lead in the 1964 election?
The Conservative tax cuts and economic growth strategy significantly reduced Labour’s lead, making the election result closer than expected.
1964
What was a key issue that impacted Labour’s performance in the Midlands during the 1964 election?
Immigration was a major issue, and the Conservatives ran an explicitly racist campaign in areas like Smethwick, which helped them defeat Labour in these regions.
1964
What was the consequence of Wilson’s campaign mistake during the 1964 election?
Wilson accused the government of deliberately causing strikes in the car industry to damage the reputation of trade unions and the Labour Party. The company involved sued for libel, preventing the accusation from being reported.
1964
