Why did Labour lose the election in 1970?
- Created by: Lizzie
- Created on: 08-04-14 17:20
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- Why did Labour lose the election in 1970?
- Balance of payments
- £400
million deficit and cycle of stop-go, manufacturing industries shrinking,
service and finance expanding
- might have been a good idea as the exchange rate in 1964, $2.80 to the £, was too high but Wilson desperate not to be seen as the party of devaluation – Attlee had to devalue in 1949. Wanted policies for ECONOMIC GROWTH to catch up with foreign competitors
- £400
million deficit and cycle of stop-go, manufacturing industries shrinking,
service and finance expanding
- Conservatives
- Heath had
greater strengths than accounted for. Conservatives ahead in opinion polls despite a
rise in ratings for Labour in Spring of 1970.
- It came a shock that Heath had better qualities than expected. He also had some good ideas: Rowe argues that: Heath was a formidable politician. PM with a clear and detailed programme of policies for the modernisation of Britain
- Heath had
greater strengths than accounted for. Conservatives ahead in opinion polls despite a
rise in ratings for Labour in Spring of 1970.
- Trade Unions
- Seaman’s and Dockers strikes, In Place of Strife
1969, humiliating climb down compromise with TUC
- Highlights Labours weaknesses and failure to assert authority
- Seaman’s and Dockers strikes, In Place of Strife
1969, humiliating climb down compromise with TUC
- Economy
- National
Plan (dropped 1967), creation of DEA (and subsequent failure 1966), growing
inflation, rising unemployment
- People judge strength of government on how well off they are at the time
- National
Plan (dropped 1967), creation of DEA (and subsequent failure 1966), growing
inflation, rising unemployment
- EEC
- Personal issues, devaluation and economic situation led to veto
by De Gaulle
- On basis of economics >damaged Labour’s credibility (‘pound in your pocket’ speech), despite Britain’s own lukewarm feelings
- Personal issues, devaluation and economic situation led to veto
by De Gaulle
- Balance of payments
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