How effective was Harold Wilson as a prime minister?

Question 1

When did Harold Wilson become pm?

Answer 1

Oct 1964

Question 1

Divisions within the Labour Party

Answer 1

Left side - socialist
- remain outside eec
- speed up declonisation
- nationalisation
- distance from us foreign policy
- abolish or reform instutitions that protect priviledge e.g. house of lords
- abandon nuclear weaponds

right side - opposite
- close alliance with us for national security
- reclaim nuclear weapons
- apply for eec
- econ growth though redis of wealth + econ planning
- limit nationalistaion further

right side modernising agenda seemed realistic

Question 2

Labour government’s small majority

Answer 2

went from 4 to 96 in march 1966 election

• shows wilsons effective leadership style
• many voters still blamed con for economic situation - wilson made edward heath who had been leader of con party from august 1965 seem dogged and ponderous

Question 3

Stats of march 1966 general election

Answer 3

Lab - 13m votes, 363 seats

con - 12m votes, 253 seats

Question 4

Harold Wilson’s social reforms 60ssssssssssss

Answer 4

July 1967 - sexual offences

April 1968 - race relations

Oct 1969 - divorce act
May 1969 - voting act
May 1970 - equal pay act

Question 5

All changes to british society in harold wilsons leadership

Answer 5

social reforms

southern rhodesia - nov 1965 ian smith rebell but econ sanctions

education - robins report 1963 - open uni , anthony crossland education secretary 1965 comorehsnive skl for all abilities

race relations - 1968 april + tightened rules on immigration in 65, little effect

vietnam war - president johnson or left ‘ support americans against communist inflitrations’ - apr 1965, refused send br troops, 1966 june wilson hevaily criticsed heavy bombing - both sides mad

management of lab cambinet
common market