The 1974 Election And Labours Time In Opposition

Question 1

What happened in the 1974 election ?

Answer 1

Although Labour did not receive a higher percentage of votes they still won by 4 seats
- this marginal victory showed a moderate want for change but the feeling was not widespread

Question 2

What is meant by the drift to the left ?

Answer 2

During the four years in opposition Labour drifted to the left which is reflected by two cabinet appointments
- Michael Foot: departments of employment who strongly believed in social equality
- Tony Benn: Secretary of State for industry who opposed nuclear arms and had strong socialist beliefs

Question 3

What pact did Labour make whilst in opposition ?

Answer 3

The Labour Party and TUC 1973 social contract which improved
- cooperation of unions controlling wage increase
- government to keep prices down and provide improved welfare benefit
- return to free collective bargaining over wages and no statutory incomes policy

Question 4

Was the social contract a success

Answer 4

Contributed to increased inflation due to the increase in wages and opinion polls showed Jack Jones the leader of the transport workers Union to be seen as the most powerful man in Britian

Question 5

What did cynics bud the social contract ?

Answer 5

The only ‘social contract was that the govenrment gave and the unions took’