a)
Blamed for the economic problems which became
5. 1964-79 Labour & Conservative Govs apparent in the 1960s.
Didn’t solve rising unemployment, inflation, etc.
Reasons for 1964 Labour victory Labour claimed it was “13 wasted years”.
The way the electorate regarded the Seemed out of touch w modern democratic society –
leader Douglas-Hume was a Scottish aristocrat*
Conservatives Involved in multiple scandals (incl sex scandals) leading to
a) Agree [5] the view that they’re old fashioned, self-indulged elites.
b)
b) Disagree [3] Tory CofE Reginald Maudling cut taxes in 1963, which
meant earnings rose & unemployment fell by 600 000.
But this contributed to the £800 mill deficit.
This is dependent on the social change in the 1950s.
a)
Having more money to spend made ppl (esp the young) more
independent & less willing to accept traditional authority.
Satire in media encouraged these attitudes.
5. 1964-79 Labour & Conservative Govs Grammar schools meant children from poor backgrounds could
Reasons for 1964 Labour victory enter uni & professional careers so many young ppl aspired to
create a modern, classless society run by professionals.
Change in GB society in the 1950s Civil righst movement in the USA & more employment
opportunities for women led to demands for equality, something
a) Agree [5] that was associated more w Labour that the Conservatives.
Polls showed Labour was more pop w voters under 44yo.
b) Disagree [1] b)
But polls also showed that Labour lagged behind Conservatives
among older voters & women, which make up a big portion of the
electorate.
a)
Liberals gained talented new members so they could
contest abt 150 more seats in 1964.
5. 1964-79 Labour & Conservative Govs Many voters who originally voted Liberals but voted
Conservative returned to Liberals.
Reasons for 1964 Labour victory Many who had become dissatisfied w Tories also moved
The revival of the Liberal Party to Liberals.
a) Agree [4] Although they only gained 3 seats, they almost doubled
their vote, mainly taking votes from the conservatives
b) Disagree [1] (seen by how Tory votes fell by >1mill).
c) Counter to ^ [1] b)
The liberals did take 10,000 votes from Labour too
c)
1st pass the post system meant Labour gained 59 seats
• Profumo – Dr Ward had many Conservatives in his contacts, so
their rep was damaged by association, even though most were
genuine patients. Imprisonment of Keeler seemed like
scapegoating.
• Philby – Gov was blamed for not catching a traitor for so long.
• Argyll – Huge scandal b/c leaked to the press – beginning of
Britain 1964-79 the idea that the press could publish scandals.
Reasons for 1964 Labour victory • Vassal - Rumours made it look like friends in the gov were
covering up for each other.
1963 Scandals • Night of Long Knives – name adopted from Hitler’s massacre of
his SA, so associated Macmillan to the Nazis. Macmillan’s rep of
[=7, =1] being unflappable was tarnished.
o Effects were largely short term & incr in younger
members helped make his gov seem more modern.
• Decr trust in gov’s ability to keep GB safe.
• Huge blows to the gov’s rep - made it look like the gov wasn’t
in control & lessened respect for higher ups.
, Mar 63 Profumo affair – revealed that Profumo (minister of
war) had an affair w Keeler (model), who had USSR
embassy members in her contacts. Profumo had met
Keeler @ Dr Ward’s brothel.
Jan 63 Philby scandal – revealed that Philby (senior official
Britain 1964-79 in the foreign office) had been passing info to the USSR for
Reasons for 1964 Labour victory
decades & ran a spy network.
Argyll Scandal – Duke divorced Duchess for adultery w
Context on the 1963 Scandals multiple men, sometimes in groups - incl 2 gov ministers (1
of whom was shown in court in a pornographic pic).
[5] Vassal affair – civil servant in the admiralty was caught
spying for the USSR. An enquiry ensued but no clear
evidence was found.
Jul 1962 Night of Long Knives – Macmillan sacked 1/3 of his
cabinet & elevated some younger conservatives.
a)
Industrially behind – 1st GB motorway was built in
1959 & GB had the most steam trains in Europe.
5. 1964-79 Labour & Conservative Govs Local & central gov mainly responded to changes
Wilson 1964-70 rather than directing them
GB was in economic decline, being called the ‘sick
a) State of GB in 1964 [3] man of Europe’
b) What problems did Wilson face when b)
he came to power? [3] A majority of only 4 seats made passing laws diff
Party promises to modernise GB, reduce inflation,
make GB more competitive, etc needed to be kept
Needed to resolve the problems w trade unions
a)
Under Wilson’s leadership, Labour appeared more united than in
1955 & 59.
Glossed over divisions by presenting the party as progressive*
5. 1964-79 Labour & Conservative Govs Election manifesto promised policies to promote economic growth,
Reasons for 1964 Labour victory full employment, welfare, health, services, housing, &
comprehensive education.
Harold Wilson’s (Labour) leadership of Pledged to create a “Britain forged in the white heat of this [tech]
rev”
Labour Wilson was a “man of the ppl” – a grammar schoolboy from a
working-class background
a) Agree [5] b)
Wilson had a rep for being politically cunning, whereas Douglas-
b) Disagree [3] Home appeared honest & trustworthy.
Many saw Labour as being closely linked to Trade Unions & disliked
their commitment to nationalisation (esp middle-class voters).
* The success of this is dependent on the social change in the 1950s
a)
Wilson believed he could change de Gaulle’s mind abt the 1963 veto, but de Gaulle
vetoed again in 1967.
But Wilson managed to maintain party unity abt Europe – pro-Europeans were
pleased by Wilson’s attempt & anti-Europeans were pleased by its failure.
b)
5. 1964-79 Labour & Conservative Govs White minority gov of Ian Smith made an illegal declaration of independence in Nov
65.
Wilson 1964-70 Labour left & countries of black Africa wanted the gov to send troops, but economic
sanctions were used instead (which didn’t work)
Foreign Policy Wilson tried personal diplomacy & proposed a settlement leaving Smith in power,
provided majority rule was introd in the future. Smith refused.
Wilson’s attempts did in fact reflect favourably on him b/c it made it look like he was
a) The EEC [=1, =1] an opponent of the rebellion who sought peaceful options.
c)
b) Rhodesia [=1, =1, =2] GB economic recovery & security depended on US loans. To appease Johnson, Wilson
provided intelligence.
c) Vietnam War [=2, =1] The left regarded the US policies as aggressive & imperialist. To appease the left,
Wilson refused to send GB troops & in Jun 67 publicly criticised heavy US bombing of
North Vietnam.
1967 – Wilson tried to broker a peace deal – this was ineffective, showing that GBs
standing on the globe had declined, & annoyed both the Labour left & Johnson.
Blamed for the economic problems which became
5. 1964-79 Labour & Conservative Govs apparent in the 1960s.
Didn’t solve rising unemployment, inflation, etc.
Reasons for 1964 Labour victory Labour claimed it was “13 wasted years”.
The way the electorate regarded the Seemed out of touch w modern democratic society –
leader Douglas-Hume was a Scottish aristocrat*
Conservatives Involved in multiple scandals (incl sex scandals) leading to
a) Agree [5] the view that they’re old fashioned, self-indulged elites.
b)
b) Disagree [3] Tory CofE Reginald Maudling cut taxes in 1963, which
meant earnings rose & unemployment fell by 600 000.
But this contributed to the £800 mill deficit.
This is dependent on the social change in the 1950s.
a)
Having more money to spend made ppl (esp the young) more
independent & less willing to accept traditional authority.
Satire in media encouraged these attitudes.
5. 1964-79 Labour & Conservative Govs Grammar schools meant children from poor backgrounds could
Reasons for 1964 Labour victory enter uni & professional careers so many young ppl aspired to
create a modern, classless society run by professionals.
Change in GB society in the 1950s Civil righst movement in the USA & more employment
opportunities for women led to demands for equality, something
a) Agree [5] that was associated more w Labour that the Conservatives.
Polls showed Labour was more pop w voters under 44yo.
b) Disagree [1] b)
But polls also showed that Labour lagged behind Conservatives
among older voters & women, which make up a big portion of the
electorate.
a)
Liberals gained talented new members so they could
contest abt 150 more seats in 1964.
5. 1964-79 Labour & Conservative Govs Many voters who originally voted Liberals but voted
Conservative returned to Liberals.
Reasons for 1964 Labour victory Many who had become dissatisfied w Tories also moved
The revival of the Liberal Party to Liberals.
a) Agree [4] Although they only gained 3 seats, they almost doubled
their vote, mainly taking votes from the conservatives
b) Disagree [1] (seen by how Tory votes fell by >1mill).
c) Counter to ^ [1] b)
The liberals did take 10,000 votes from Labour too
c)
1st pass the post system meant Labour gained 59 seats
• Profumo – Dr Ward had many Conservatives in his contacts, so
their rep was damaged by association, even though most were
genuine patients. Imprisonment of Keeler seemed like
scapegoating.
• Philby – Gov was blamed for not catching a traitor for so long.
• Argyll – Huge scandal b/c leaked to the press – beginning of
Britain 1964-79 the idea that the press could publish scandals.
Reasons for 1964 Labour victory • Vassal - Rumours made it look like friends in the gov were
covering up for each other.
1963 Scandals • Night of Long Knives – name adopted from Hitler’s massacre of
his SA, so associated Macmillan to the Nazis. Macmillan’s rep of
[=7, =1] being unflappable was tarnished.
o Effects were largely short term & incr in younger
members helped make his gov seem more modern.
• Decr trust in gov’s ability to keep GB safe.
• Huge blows to the gov’s rep - made it look like the gov wasn’t
in control & lessened respect for higher ups.
, Mar 63 Profumo affair – revealed that Profumo (minister of
war) had an affair w Keeler (model), who had USSR
embassy members in her contacts. Profumo had met
Keeler @ Dr Ward’s brothel.
Jan 63 Philby scandal – revealed that Philby (senior official
Britain 1964-79 in the foreign office) had been passing info to the USSR for
Reasons for 1964 Labour victory
decades & ran a spy network.
Argyll Scandal – Duke divorced Duchess for adultery w
Context on the 1963 Scandals multiple men, sometimes in groups - incl 2 gov ministers (1
of whom was shown in court in a pornographic pic).
[5] Vassal affair – civil servant in the admiralty was caught
spying for the USSR. An enquiry ensued but no clear
evidence was found.
Jul 1962 Night of Long Knives – Macmillan sacked 1/3 of his
cabinet & elevated some younger conservatives.
a)
Industrially behind – 1st GB motorway was built in
1959 & GB had the most steam trains in Europe.
5. 1964-79 Labour & Conservative Govs Local & central gov mainly responded to changes
Wilson 1964-70 rather than directing them
GB was in economic decline, being called the ‘sick
a) State of GB in 1964 [3] man of Europe’
b) What problems did Wilson face when b)
he came to power? [3] A majority of only 4 seats made passing laws diff
Party promises to modernise GB, reduce inflation,
make GB more competitive, etc needed to be kept
Needed to resolve the problems w trade unions
a)
Under Wilson’s leadership, Labour appeared more united than in
1955 & 59.
Glossed over divisions by presenting the party as progressive*
5. 1964-79 Labour & Conservative Govs Election manifesto promised policies to promote economic growth,
Reasons for 1964 Labour victory full employment, welfare, health, services, housing, &
comprehensive education.
Harold Wilson’s (Labour) leadership of Pledged to create a “Britain forged in the white heat of this [tech]
rev”
Labour Wilson was a “man of the ppl” – a grammar schoolboy from a
working-class background
a) Agree [5] b)
Wilson had a rep for being politically cunning, whereas Douglas-
b) Disagree [3] Home appeared honest & trustworthy.
Many saw Labour as being closely linked to Trade Unions & disliked
their commitment to nationalisation (esp middle-class voters).
* The success of this is dependent on the social change in the 1950s
a)
Wilson believed he could change de Gaulle’s mind abt the 1963 veto, but de Gaulle
vetoed again in 1967.
But Wilson managed to maintain party unity abt Europe – pro-Europeans were
pleased by Wilson’s attempt & anti-Europeans were pleased by its failure.
b)
5. 1964-79 Labour & Conservative Govs White minority gov of Ian Smith made an illegal declaration of independence in Nov
65.
Wilson 1964-70 Labour left & countries of black Africa wanted the gov to send troops, but economic
sanctions were used instead (which didn’t work)
Foreign Policy Wilson tried personal diplomacy & proposed a settlement leaving Smith in power,
provided majority rule was introd in the future. Smith refused.
Wilson’s attempts did in fact reflect favourably on him b/c it made it look like he was
a) The EEC [=1, =1] an opponent of the rebellion who sought peaceful options.
c)
b) Rhodesia [=1, =1, =2] GB economic recovery & security depended on US loans. To appease Johnson, Wilson
provided intelligence.
c) Vietnam War [=2, =1] The left regarded the US policies as aggressive & imperialist. To appease the left,
Wilson refused to send GB troops & in Jun 67 publicly criticised heavy US bombing of
North Vietnam.
1967 – Wilson tried to broker a peace deal – this was ineffective, showing that GBs
standing on the globe had declined, & annoyed both the Labour left & Johnson.
