wilson's ideology and leadership

Question 1

1964 oct

Answer 1

victory in general election for labour

Question 2

when Harold Wilson entered Downing Street in 1964 labour seemed

Answer 2

more in touch with the social and cultural trends of the 160s

Question 3

example of effective campaign speech

Answer 3

promised Britain would catch up on the ‘white heat’ of technological change

Question 4

1966 election

Answer 4

labour able to consolidate its position

Question 5

conservative party Douglas-Home was replaced with?

Answer 5

more modern looking Edward Heath

Question 6

Edward heath vs Harold Wilson

Answer 6

-Heath no match for Harold Wilson
-Wilson better political tactician + able to portray a more attractive image to the voters
-Heath came across as stiff + lacking perosnality

Question 7

Harold Wilson’s initial place in labour party

Answer 7

-appeared to be on the left of the labour party
-had been a bevanite, resigned in 1950 over prescription charges
-but, also served in Gaitskell’s cabinet.

Question 8

Harold Wilson’s view on nuclear deterrent + trade unions

Answer 8

-supported Britain’s nuclear deterrent + attempted to reform trade unions

Question 9

critics maya argue Wilson was an

Answer 9

opportunist
-> but he successfully linked the labour party to modernisation in contrast to what were described ‘wasted years’ of conservative gov

Question 10

how was modernisation reflected through Wilson’s own image

Answer 10

seen as an classless, removed from old Etonian style Eden, Macmillian and Douglas Home

Question 11

Wilson secondary school

Answer 11

first prime minister educated at state secondary school
-spoke with Yorkshire accent
-relaxed skillful performer on tv

Question 12

wilson in private

Answer 12

-anxious + insecure about his leadership

Question 13

what was he conscious of?

Answer 13

balancing out his potential rivals so that he would remain unchallenged

Question 14

wilson also relied heavily on

Answer 14

personal team of trusted advisors from outside the gov + civil service

Question 15

wilsons team dominated by who

Answer 15

Marcia Williams- his personal political secretary

Question 16

what made Wilson more popular than Home?

Answer 16

• not a part of the establishment
• presented himself as a normal man who was in touch with the needs of the people
• tapped into the country’s interest with technology and progress

Question 17

what was labour’s majority in 1964 and in 1966

Answer 17

4 in 1964
98 in 1966