1970 Flashcards
Leadership
Opinion polls showed approval rating 51 v 28
Publication of poor trade figures + reveal of POB £31 just before election dented claims that economy was on the mend
Beset by constant economic difficulties
Undergoing major shift in economic and social structure: industrial > post
Commentators ‘britain in decline’, ‘Britain sickest man in europe, failing to match growth rate of western countries and USA, Japan
Failure to implement policies to promote economic growth > devaluation of pound $2.80 to $2.40. Assured viewers in prime ministerial broadcast on tv that devaluation didnt meant that pound in pockets was worth any less. Mocked for it. Had devaluation been brought about earlier and in less theatrical way, it could have been passed as a mere financial adjustment.
Attempts at reform dismissed by leading social analysts, peter Townsend as ‘hot compress on an ailing body politic’
Wilson’s belief that labours basic support remained solid > shock.
Had not realised that his undistinguished economic policies and apparent failure to control unions had lost gov a significant degree of support among moderate voters.
Disillusionment of labour supporters
3% lower voter turnout despite more eligible with representation of the people act 1969 lowering voter age to 18
Senior cabinet minister Richard crossman blamed lack of voter turnout, Barbara castle ‘sensed an undercurrent of detachment among own activists and party audiences’
Membership of party feel from 830k in 64 to 680k in 70 reducing number of local activists willing to campaign for it.
Promise to modernise britain and science in white heat of technological revolution impressed many in 64 and 66. Left of labour and young people having the highest hopes for Wilson but most disillusioned by 1970
Belief that gov too right wing, especially in economic and foreign policies with majority of money spent on defence and not enough on welfare (aim of lab)
Abandoned historic commitment of socialism and interest of working class with attempt to curb trade union power with ‘in place of strife’.
Trade unions / defeat
Publication of white paper in place of strife. Central proposal was for introduction of legal restrictions on right of workers to strike.
- members to be balloted and would have to agree by clear majority for strike to be legal
- restrictions viewed as attempt to make strike controls more palpable to employees.
Undermined divisions that lab stood for - protection of unions
Created immediate divisions when put before cabinet
Defeat of in place of strife showed power over gov + signs of gov wider failure to improve and transform nations economic performance which Wilson had promised
Prices and incomes board 66 to regulate pay settlements disappointing left and angering TU > series of strikes over pay 66-67
- deliberate attacks by groups of ‘Marxist extremes’ on britains industrial wellbeing
- ‘group of politically-motivated men who are now determined to exercise back-stage pressures endangering the security of the industry and economic welfare of the nation’
Trade unions blamed for need to approach IMF for another large loan (1964) claiming britain had been dealing with financial problems only to be ‘blown off course by the seven weeks seamens strike, enlarging BOP
Edward heaths leadership
Pledged to reform industrial laws to reduce no strikes
Aims to strengthen economy, curb inflation and create one nation promising regional development, faster economic growth and better social services challenged assumptions accepted by both parties since WW2
Attacked labours economic record stressing >64 inflation measured by retail index price risen by 33% and unemployment by 200k - deemed high levels of unemployment as unacceptable
- press daily express praising his ‘guts and leadership’
Dealt with challenges to authority 68 Enoch Powell from shadow gov by sacking
- April 68 speech predicting race riots popular with white working class who felt threatened by immigration
- thousands of letters criticising sacking but majority of tory mps supported him
- gained 2.5m votes with claims that Powell won election for conservatives from psephologists such as r.w.Johnson
Of those that switched, 50% working class powellites, 18% labour, 24% lib
