Modern Britain 1945-1997

• why labour strengths led to labour victory in 1964

  -demand for reflection of the working class electorate which wilson played into

  -socialist policies appeal to strikers and working class voters

  -party was stabler now that gaitskell was dead as he was one of the main causes of disputes
• external factors in the 1964 election

  -global trend of economy slowing down

  -decline in living standards

  -strikes

  -cold war tensions

  -cnd movement
• why did external factors lead to labour victory in the 1964 election

  -economy slowing lead to higher taxes as the government try to make up for lost money- makes the public upset as they have less money for leisure

  - unrest over nuclear warfare, public want a government that will protect the country and vote against nuclear war
• reasons Harold Wilson was an effective PM

  -social reforms led to popularity

  -mends labour divisions, members from left and right

  -refuses to send troops to vietnam

  -increases majority in 1966

  -plays on image of being a man of the people
• Wilson's Social Reforms


  -lowered voting age to 18

  -end to death penalty

  -contraception under NHS

  -legalised abortion

  -decriminalised homosexual acts
• reasons harold wilson is less effective as PM

  - wilson himself was not personally comfortable with some of his social reforms- home secretary more responsible

  -divisions were somewhat solved by gaitskells death not wilsons intervention

  - not sending troops to vietnam could be seen as detrimental to the special relationship

  -appointment of special advisors alienates cabinet

  -not strong majority in 1964