1964-70 Wilson Labour

• Macmillan resigns with prostate cancer and there is a leadership conflict between Reginald Maudling, R.A.Butler, Lord Hailsham and Lord Home
• The 1964 election results: Conservatives 43% (304 seats), Labour 44% (317 seats), Liberals 11.2% (9 seats)
• The Kitchen Cabinet


  Wilson formed a Kitchen Cabinet of his trusted advisors including Marcia Williams and these were not cabinet members or MPs
• Callaghan faced a severe balance of payments crisis which risked devaluation of the pound. They were determined to keep the value at $2.80 to prevent political consequences
• The 1966 election results: Conservatives 41% (253 seats), Labour 48% (364 seats), Liberals 8% (12 seats)
• The decision to devalue the pound was made following the Sterling Crisis - there was a run on the pound which increased strain
• The pound was reduced to $2.40 and Wilson made the 'pound in your pocket' speech. This meant that inflation was 10% higher and unions would demand higher wages
• Roy Jenkins replaced Callaghan and there was a period of stringent budgets and government spending cuts
• In 1969 due to increased world trade, there was a balance of payment surplus. Jenkins made cuts to defence spending and Britain withdrew from the East of Suez
• Trade unions have gained lots of power over the past few years as the shop-steward generation has gained influence (radical left-wing)
• Barbara Castle is appointed to tackle this issue while not clamping down too much. She developed 'In place of strife' which included the industrial relations court
• Labour's MPs were sponsored by unions and this reliance led them to withdraw the bill. An agreement is made between the government and unions which Wilson sells as a victory
• Roy Jenkins is determined for a 'civilised society' so Labour moves towards liberalisation. Private Members Bills are used to pass this legislation, including the Criminal Justice Bill
• This led to wildcat strikes and the Friday Afternoon Product - products left unfinished due to strikes on a Friday
• Labour needs to appear sympathetic but take action now to prevent Conservatives from making harsher decisions in the future
• Barbara Castle's 'In place of strife'

  1. Included the industrial relations court

  2. Imposed a 28-day 'conciliation pause'

  3. Met by protests and opposition
• Roy Jenkins


  Determined for a 'civilised society' so Labour moves towards liberalisation
• Private Members Bills used to pass legislation

  • Criminal Justice Bill 1967: ended birching of young offenders
  • Abolition of Capital Punishment 1965: by Silverman and Jenkins
  • Sexual Offences Bill: homosexuality is legalised for 21 and over. Leo Abse leads this campaign
  • David Steel's Bill: legalised abortion for mothers at risk of physical or mental health harm as long as it was approved by 2 doctors
  • Family Planning Act 1967: removed restrictions on birth control
  • Divorce Reform Act
• Tony Crosland


  Minister of Education, implements comprehensive schools as they are fairer than grammar schools
• Crosland Circular 10/65 and 10/66


  Requests comprehensives and only funds councils who do this
• University education alongside polytechnics are expanded and maintenance grants are given to students
• The Open University 1971 makes university education more accessible