Heath - 1970-1974

Question 1

How effective was Heath as PM?

Answer 1

-Joined the EEC in 1973
-Attempted to transform industrial relations
-Had a manifesto aim

Question 2

How was Heath unaffective as PM?

Answer 2

-Industrial relations incredibly unpopular by 1971
-Number of working class strike days doubles
-Failures lead to Thatcher (EW!)
-Joins EEC on French terms (EW!)
-Poor long term economic plan
-1972 Miners Strike
-U-Turn on his old economic policies

Question 3

Why were Industrial Relations weak under Heath?

Answer 3

The Industrial Relations Act in 1971 widely opposed Trade Unions and basically ignored them

Question 4

Why did the Conservatives win the 1970 election?

Answer 4

-Industrial laws would be reformed to reduce strikes and inflammatory pay settlements
-Less state intervention in industry
-They promised to control prices and end incomes by law

Question 5

What were Heath’s plans for Britain?

Answer 5

-Strengthen the economy and curb inflation
-Legislate to transform industrial relations
-Create ‘one nation’ with regional development and faster economic growth

Question 6

What was the 1972 Miners Strike?

Answer 6

A national strike led by the National Union of Miners (NUM) to dispute wages and working conditions, demanding a large pay rise

Question 7

Why did Heath’s U-turn happen?

Answer 7

His economic policies were not successful, leading to him dropping his stance and adopt interventionalist economic measures.

This lead to Trade Unions seizing the initiative