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Why did Labour win the 1964 election (Economic failings of the Tories…
Why did Labour win the 1964 election
Economic failings of the Tories
'13 years wasted' under Tory domination
Unemployment reached 800,000 in 1963 and a budget deficit of £750 million
Industrial production was growing 4x as quick in Germany and 10x in Japan
Shows economic growth lagged behind other European countries
Share of world trade fell as exports lagged behind domestic manufacture
A lot of money went into defence spending (nuclear weapons) rather than economic improvements - 10% of GDP
Britain didn't join the EEC and so didn't benefit from the expansion of the European economy
Stagflation
Political failings of the tories
Macmillan's image questioned after the night of the long knives
De Gaulle's veto of Britain's application to the EEC
Eden's Suez crisis
The Profumo scandal which tore down Macmillans government
Polls following this put Labour 20% ahead
However, before the scandal broke, Poll's put Labour 18% ahead
Lack of popular appeal of tories
Macmillan and Home seemed out of date and lacked Wilson's popular touch
Home was not voted in he was simply chosen by a group of Tories = Lack of democracy
Home was not the best candidate but simply less divisive than Butler. - Seemed out of touch with the changing mood
In 1964 Gallup Poll 64% of those quizzed gave an affirmative answer to whether they liked wilson
Wilson helped by the negative image the electorate had of Macmillan and Home
Tories social failings
Education neglected with little encouragement given to scientific, technical or managerial education.
Move towards comprehensive education, but minimal schools built and the divisive 11+ was still dominant.
In the early 60's Labour blamed Britain's economic problems on 'an outdated education system' and suggested that brainpower, vital to Britain was squandered
Economic positives of Labour
Wilson based his election on the theme of 13 years wasted and condemned the tories economic record
Argued Britains decline reflected mismanagement from Chancellors such as Butler and Maudling
Wilson called for modernisation - '64 manifestos of 'New Britain'
Economic vision included the role of economic planning and advancement in tech
Political positives of Labour
presented as united
process of unifying the party began under Gaitskell in 61-2. The party recognised the need to support NATO and develop nuclear weapons and an anti-EEC stance
Gap bridged between right and left. Compared Butler's industrial charter of 1951 outlining the connection between science and socialism
Popular appeal of Labour
Wilson appeared dynamic and enthusiastic, a grammar school boy with the common touch
powerful speeches on 'modernisation' and the 'white heat of the tech rev' 1964 TV appearance attracted the largest audience for a TV programme ever
Used Tony Benn, formed TV producer to coordinate Wilson's PR
Social positives for Labour
presented Labour as the natural party to promote social change
Labours 1964 manifesto argued for economic planning for growth, state support of science and tech, comprehensive education and the expansion of higher education
Social change helped promote economic growth so Britain could harness the 'white heat of tech'