Wilson Government Flashcards
When was Wilson PM?
And who for ?
1964-70
Labour
How did Wilson appeal to the public?
His image was to be ‘classless’ he wanted to be more in touch with the public such as smoking from a pipe and was the first pm that had been educated at a secondary school.
What deficit did labour inherit?
£800 million
What is devaluation?
Lowers the value of a currency in comparison to others. Makes imports more expensive but help exporters by making British goods cheaper in other countries.
Was the department of economic affairs a success?
NO. Set up and led by George Brown with the aim of setting up the restraint needed to prevent inflation rising. Abandoned in 1967.
What led to devaluation?
1965,1966 Sterling crises.
1967 outbreak of war in Middle East affecting oil supplies.
August 1967 national dock strike .
What did the pound drop to?
BY 14%. Equivalent to 2.40 US dollars
When was Britain’s second application to join the EEC declined?
1967
How did Roy Jenkins improve the economy?
Raised taxes, tightened government spending in all areas of the economy. Not popular but led to a surplus in 1969.
What did Barbara Castle’s in Pace Of Strife mean for the unions?
28 Day ‘cool off’.period before a strike went ahead
Strike
ballots imposed
Industrial relations court to prosecute those who broke the rules
Why was there divisions within the Labour Party?
Deaths of Bevan from the left and gaistksell from the right of the party led to Wilson being the sole leader. Personal rivalries with Brown, Callaghan or Jenkins disrupted Wilson’s work.
What were catholics in NI referred to as? And what did they believe Ireland should be like?
Loyalists or Nationalists
Ireland should be united as one.
What were Protestants referred to as?
Unionists.
Believed in a division in Ireland.
What accusations did the Royal Ulster Constabulary Force and the Irish police force receive?
Biased against catholics.
Failure to protect Catholics in 1968 riots.
When did Wilson send British Army troops in to ease the tension?
August 1969