Wilson and the labour governments

Question 1

When was Wilson in power?

Answer 1

1964-1966

Question 2

What political problems did Wilson Face in 1964?

Answer 2

• Political
• majority of 5
• Wilson’s position precarious and temporary
• Another election would have to be called in 1966
• However, Pimlott argues advantages –> made backbench revolt and public disagreement unlikely for fear of downfall

Question 3

What economic problems did Wilson Face in 1964?

Answer 3

• Balance of payments deficit risen to an alarming level
• Economic behaviour of the conservatives during last months in offices amounted to criminal negligence
• When labour took office MPs informed that predicted deficit of £800 million

Question 4

What was Wilson’s first concern when coming into power?

Answer 4

• risk and concerns of sudden defeat as tiny majority of 5
• risk of split
• first concern –> build gov and keep party united

Question 5

What were two main sections of cabinet?

Answer 5

• the triumvirate

- the second tier

Question 6

what were wilson’s personal advisors called?

Answer 6

• the kitchen cabinet

Question 7

Who was in the Triumvirate?

Answer 7

• Wilson at top
• Callaghan as Chancellor of the Exchequer
• Brown as First Secretary

Question 8

What groups was the second tier made up of?

Answer 8

• Subtle blend of Gaitskellites, old morrisionions, centrists and ex bevanites

Question 9

What was the largest element of the second tier? Who made up of ?
Other group?

Answer 9

• combined right
• repped by Denis Healy, Ray Gunter etc
• Centre left:
• repped by Anthony Crossland, Barbara Castle etc

Question 10

Who was Minister of Technology?

Answer 10

• Frank Cousins

Question 11

Who was Foreign Secretary?

Answer 11

• Patrick Walker

Question 12

Who was the kitchen cabinet made up of? Where did they meet?
What was a negative?

Answer 12

• Centres around Marcia William, his personal political secretary
• Met at N.o 10
• Members include: Barbara Castle, Anthony Crossman etc
• Many people felt ‘KK’ reinforced Wilson’s suspicions of party rivalries and prevented ministers from having access to him.

Question 13

What reputation/image did Harold Wilson gain?

Answer 13

• Gained rep for being a competitive, pragmatic worker
• Modernisation reflected in own image –> seen as classless –> an image far removed from old etonian style of predecessors
• state school
• smoked pipe
• yorkshire accent
• relaxed and skilful performer on TV

Question 14

Ways Wilson was left? Not left?

Answer 14

• had been bevanite, resigned over prescription charges

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

Question 15

What was a theme of Wilson’s policy that was very important to Wilson / on his radar?

Answer 15

• Modernisation - he successfully linked labour to this

Question 16

What was Wilson’s policy in the early 1960s?

Adopted when? + Main themes *

Answer 16

• ‘Signpost for the sixties” adopted in party conference in 1961
• Main themes:
• Role of Economic planning
• Need to reach out towards the growing body of scientists + technicians
• Link between planning, technological advancements and growth

Question 17

What did Wilson successfully do with his policy?

Answer 17

Bridged the gap between right and centre-left and demonstrated lack of distance between them

Question 18

What were Wilson’s leadership worries? (Not detailed)

Answer 18

• Anxious and insecure about leadership
• Relied heavily on his personal team of advisors + few inner circle MPs
• The ‘KK’ reinforced his suspicions of party rivalries and prevented ministers from having access to him

Question 19

What were some of Wilson’s other beliefs/ policies? - education and employment vibes

Answer 19

• believed in scientific revolution

- harnessing talent, educating the ambitious, promoting on merit + abolishing the old boys network

Question 20

In terms of economic policies what did Wilson believe?

What emerged from this

Answer 20

• Planning of exports, science and tech
• Economic failings were due to Treasury’s lack of training, expertise and supremacy over other departments
• Idea of Department of Economic Affairs emerged

Question 21

What was the DEA?

Answer 21

• would have strong trade union backing

- was hoped would become most important ministry + help downgrade treasury