wilsons gov 1964-70 consensus

8/12/2019 Wilsons Gov 1964-70 Consensus

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Harold Wilson’s Government 1964 -70.



There were a number of developments in postwar Britain that the main parties had littlealternative but to pursue a similar policy.When in opposition, these policies wereattacked but there was little fundamentaldifference in policy between Labour andConservative.



Immigration.Retreat from Empire.Entry to the EEC.Inflation and recession. (Economicmanagement.)Heavy defence spending.Welfarism.Nationalisation.



After a narrow victory in 1964, the first twoyears of Labour in office are generallyregarded as being successful.Following Wilson’s famous quote that

Britain must respond to the ‘white heat ofthe technological revolution,’ the Dept forEconomic Affairs (1964) and the Ministry ofTechnology (1964) was established.However, neither was successful as conflictwith the Treasury ensued.In 1966, Labour gained a 110 seat majority.



George Brown. FirstSecretary of State forEconomic Affairs. 1964-66.



The creation of the DEA was based upon asix-weeks experiment in 1947 when StaffordCripps was appointed as Secretary of State for

Economic Affairs before being appointed asChancellor.Wilson wanted to divide the Treasury into twoin part to reduce its power.Critics of the ministry included Douglas Jaywho felt that Wilson had given Brown theministry as a way of appeasing him.The Treasury was eventually able to claw backits influence and the DEA was wound up inOctober 1969.



Growing but continued dependence onmiddle eastern oil.Controlled by OPEC from the early 1960s.1964 lack of investment and economicgrowth.A large, inherited and mounting BOP deficit.1966 Strike by National Union of Seamen ledto a sharp fall in exports.



Middle East Iraq (September 1960)Iran (September 1960)Kuwait (September, 1960)Qatar (December 1961)Saudi Arabia (September 1960)

United Arab Emirates (November 1967)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flag_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates.svg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia.svg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flag_of_Qatar_(bordered).svg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flag_of_Kuwait.svg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flag_of_Iran.svg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flag_of_Iraq.svg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East



1966 France called for Britain to devalue the£.1967 Six Day War (Egypt and Israel) closed

the Suez Canal and disrupted trade.1967 unemployment at 496,000 andunofficial strikes by dock workers inLondon, Liverpool and Hull.

In 1967, under French pressure, Britaindevalued the £ from $2.80 to $2.40.



Aggressive union leaders such as Jack Jonesfrom the TGWU.Inter-union rivalry.Union opposition to equal pay for women.Unofficial strikes by militant left wingers.Loss of 6.8 million working days in 1969.



It was a proposed to curbthe power of British tradeunions, but was neverpassed into law.An attempt to force unionsto call a ballot before astrike was held, and anIndustrial Board would beestablished to enforcesettlements in industrial

disputes.The Labour Cabinet wasdivided over the issue andthe opposition, led by theHome Secretary JamesCallaghan, prevailed.

wilsons gov 1964-70 consensus

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