Labour and Conservative, New Style Government Lesson Objectives 1.Understand the aims of Harold Wilson. 2.Research how he tried to modernise government. 3.Analyse the problems he faced and how he tried to overcome them. 4.Judge whether Wilsons governments were failures. Section 4: The Government and Modernisation of Society,

HAROLD WILSON Born in 1922, went to Grammar school and Oxford. Was MIDDLE CLASS = not one of the ‘establishment’ (important!) Elected Labour party leader in Tried to give it a NEW IMAGE = links socialism with TECHNOLOGY “the white heat of technology” (famous quote) Charismatic = led Labour to victory in 1964 and Came across well on TV (important!). Presented himself as a ‘classless’ leader. Seen as a kindly, decent man who could identify with ordinary people.

HAROLD WILSON AIMS Investment in science and better education would ensure the growth of the economy and end the STOP-GO CYCLE of the Tory years. Committed to a new style modernist state/government, run by professionals, managers and planners. Propel Britain into a new age molded by the “white heat of technology”. Faith in science and technology. Appointed a strong Cabinet and Ministers – tried to encourage them to discuss technology but mixed reception. Many did not have a scientific mind or technological understanding (important!)

Harold Wilson’s Government George Brown James Callaghan Richard Crossman Anthony Wedgewood Benn

Harold Wilson’s Government Barbara Castle Tony Crosland Denis Healey Frank Cousins Roy Jenkins

The devaluation crisis Devaluation = lowering the value of the British pound against other countries e.g. in 1949 £1 = $ $2.88 (this was humiliating).

The devaluation crisis What was the state of the economy that Wilson had inherited from Home? What were the problems? How did he and Brown try and fix it. Why didn’t this work? What were the short term reasons for the devaluation?

The devaluation crisis Source Analysis: Source 2 pg97 Complete Source Analysis activity 1.He sells devaluation as a “tremendous opportunity for all our exporters”: will also be good for domestic market, "cheaper to buy British”. Sells the decision as strong, decisive and the right but hard decision “attacks our problem at the root”. 2.These arguments are not very convincing – trying to put a spin on it, had tried very hard to avoid it. 3.Devaluation caused trouble because it made them look like the Tories, it also didn’t actually help the economy (inflation at 12%) and it reminded everyone of the humiliation of 1949.

“In Place of Strife” What is this and what problems did it cause? What happened to it in the end? Barbara Castle (Secretary of State for Employment) 1969 Wanted to stop trouble from TUs (which Labour had always got on very well with – the party had developed from the TUs) Proposed radical changes – but had to be withdrawn following outcry from TUs.

Wilson era government Positive changes that came about in the Wilson Era Things that did not change or which changed for the worse.

24 mark question detailed plan Wilson’s governments of were failures. Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement. Intro Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 Factor 4 Factor 5 Conclusion Evidence's Wilson’s govt was a failure Evidence's Wilson’s govt was NOT a failure Write your Intro in full, bullet point the factors (add some detail) and write your conclusion in full