Chapter 5 Labour and Conservative governments Flashcards

Question

Why did the Labour Party win the 1964 election? How the electorate regarded the conservatives.

Answer 1

Cons had been in power since 1951 and many voters blamed them for the economic problems that became apparent in the 1960s. Tories didn't have control of unemployment, inflation, industrial unrest and growing regional wealth inequality. '13 wasted years' Cons seem out of touch, Douglas-Home was an aristocrat and 60 years old, Wilson was just 47. Sex scandals, electorate given the impression of an old-fashioned, self-indulgent elite.

Answer 2

Conservative unpopularity in the 1960s benefitted Liberal as it was a way for middle-class voters to express protest but weren't prepared to vote for Labour. This was shown by by-election results such as Orpington in 1962, when a conservative majority of 14,700 was overturned by Liberal candidate with a 7,850 majority. Liberal revive brought more funding, publicity and new recruits. As a result able to contest more seats, only gained 3 in reality but doubled their votes. Took votes from conservatives and helped hand victory to labour in many seats.

Answer 3

Living standards improved in the 1950s, more money to spend made people, especially young, more independent and less willing to accept traditional authority. These attitudes encouraged by cultural change in the 50s, novels, plays and TV examined class structure and poked fun at politicians, also changed attitudes to sex. Grammar schools gave bright pupils from underprivileged backgrounds opportunities to go to uni and careers. A new climate where the young aspired to create a new, modern classless Britain run with professionalism and science. Labour benefit from this and were more popular with under 44s.

Answer 4

VERY. If a mere 900 voters in 8 critical constituencies had voted Tory not Labour the Cons would have won. The Labour got less votes than in 1959 so shows the election was more a rejection of conservatives than endorsement of labour. The opinion polls showed that Labour had a 20% lead after 1963 Profumo Affair but was whittled down by the election.

Answer 5

He was much more effective than he was expected to be. He appeared modest, decent and trustworthy where Wilson was more sly and cunning.

Answer 6

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Reginald Maulding, cut taxes in his 1963 budget. Although the cuts contributed to a trade deficit of $800 million, they also helped narrow the gap between parties as incomes rose and unemployed dropped from 900,000 in Feb 1963 to 300,000 by July 1964.

Answer 7

Many voters still dislike Labour and don't trust links to TUs and so strikes against the gov's pay policies weaken support. Internal divisions not resolved still, middle-class dislike commitment to nationalisation. Very few of their leaders had held office before and voters doubted their competence to deal with crises. Conservatives picked up midlands votes as immigration was a big issue.

Answer 8

-Only a majority of 4 seats. -Promises about modernising British society needed to be fulfilled. -Pressing foreign and colonial issues to be dealt with. -Senior figures talented but often dislike each other. -Economic situation was serious.

Answer 9

-Highly intelligent, hard working with a memory for detail. -Optimistic, resilient, patient and cool in crises. -Kind, charming and generous. -Distrust of party ideology, preferring practical solutions. -A leader who sought compromise rather than conflict. -Acceptable to both wings of labour.

Answer 10

A majority of 4 presented great difficulties. In the March 1966 election, the government was returned with a 96 majority. Showed Wilson's leadership style worked, he avoided splits in the party. Labour appeared powerful and resolute. Wilson, exuding confidence and authority made Heath seem dogged and ponderous.

Answer 11

Labour had promised to modernise society and enacted a series of reforms, some of which Wilson was not comfortable with but let more reform-minded members take charge, most notably Roy Jenkins, the home secretary. Major programme of social change that introduced many of the ideas we now take for granted such as race relation. BUT traditionalists outraged, laws on contraception, homosexuality and abortion encouraged promiscuous sex.

Answer 12

Many new arrivals from the commonwealth settled in less affluent areas, this was bad for Labour as immigration was unpopular. One reason was racial prejudice, but there was also fear it would lower wages. Due to this, the gov tightened rules on immigration in 1965 and 68. Race Relations Act attempted to tackle discrimination but enforcement methods were weal.

Answer 13

1965 Anthony Crosland, the education secretary replaced the system of grammar and secondary schools with comprehensive schools for children with all abilities. Led to controversy where grammar schools had been seen as an opportunity that had previously only been to private schools. Major expansion of university education. Introduction of Open University.

Answer 14

Wilson believed that Britain's economic recovery and security depended on a close alliance with the USA. In April 1965, a few weeks after Johnson committed troops, Wilson told the commons that 'we have made absolutely plain our support of the American stand against communist infiltration in South Vietnam'. BUT, to appease left he didn't send troops, also criticised Johnson's bombing of N. Vietnam and in 1967 tried to broker peace. His actions annoyed Johnson but didn't go far enough to appease left.

Answer 15

Wilson attempted to balance different sections of opinion in his handling of the illegal declaration of independence in November 1965 by the white minority government of Ian Smith in Southern Rhodesia, a British colony. Labour left and most commonwealth wanted gov to send troops to crush rebellion. Instead WIlson tried economic sanctions but these weren't working and so tried twice personal diplomacy. He proposed a settlement that would leave Smith in power if he agreed a majority rule would be put in place. This risked inflaming left-wing opinion, unity of labour and future of commonwealth. Smith's refusal let Wilson off the hook. Wilson's tactics were risky but there was no simple solution.

Answer 16

Wilson thought he could persuade Charles de Gaulle, who had vetoed the 1963 application, to change his mind. He failed, in 1967 the veto was repeated. Pro Europeans happy about application and anti-europeans were happy by the rejection.

Answer 17

Wilson was anxious to avoid internal squabbling that had weakened labour in the 50s and he hoped to achieve this by giving ministerial jobs to senior party figures from all shades of opinion, not just to his associates and supporters. BUT there were often quarrels. Cabinet minister Barbara Castle observed in her diary that 'We spend three-quarters of our time in these personal pro and anti intrigues instead of getting down to real jobs'. BUT this was common for all parties.

Chapter 5 Labour and Conservative governments Flashcards

(43 cards)