The 1970 Election Flashcards
(7 cards)
How did divisions within the Labour Party affect the outcome ?
- the left of the party accused the leaders of maintaining the needs of the financial sector at the expense of the ordinary working class people
- Many disliked Wilson’s support of the USA believing he was too supportive and defence spending should be decreased to allow for more on welfare, education and economic progress
Divisions within the party: in place of strife ?
- government a bond end historic commitment to defend socialism
- many voters saw IPOF strife as symptomatic of the trade unions selfish tendencies, a lack of economic progress and a wider failure to improve the economy
- Wilson mocked the Tory principles which drew attention to them instead of ridicule
- Labour had failed to manage the unions
What were the Labour strengths ?
June 1970 pols showed Labour Party was ahead with Wilson as a 51% approval rating
1970 equal pay act did win over some women but its effect was marginal
How did economic problems tie into Labour loss of office in the 1970 election ?
- economic planning efforts had not yielded much benefit with unemployment rising
- government couldn’t control inflation and retail prices rose by 33%
- fall in employment in mining and manufacturing- two areas working class people expected Labour to defend
- Wilson accused of lying in 1967 after saying devaluation wouldn’t affect the pound in your pocket as it lead to higher price for imported goods
What were the Conservative Party strengths ?
- years in opposition allowed for a development of distinct principles: IR to be reformed, less state intervention in industry, control price and apply to join EEC
- this appealed to the electorate who were worried about Labours mismanagement of the unions and restrictive practices
How did the image of Edward Heath help the Conservative Party
Like Wilson he was a grammar school educated leader and seemed to be a modern figure and didn’t tolerate old fashioned racist ideas
- dealt firmly with Enoch Powell in 1968 after his rivers of blood speech from the shadow cabinet
- attacked Labours lack of economic progress with retail price index rising by 33%
What did the press say the outcome was down to ?
Edward Heaths ‘guts and leadership’ daily express
