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4 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Internal Disputes |
-Hugh Gaitskell became leader of the party in 1955. -Party had problems with finding its aims and what they should pursue -Divided between the left who wanted a more socialist Britain and the right -Bevenites wanted large trade unions who they believed spoke for the working classes -Left=Unilaterists |
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The 1959 election |
-Strong believe that labour would win, especially as it was the first election after the Suez affair. -1957 ''Never had it so good'' came at the wrong time for the Labour party as the country saw an economic recovery. -''Life is better with the Conservatives. Don't let Labour run it." -In response to the quote above, Labour promised an increase in state pensions without rise in taxation. People however saw through it -in 1959 election, the Conservatives gained 21 seats while labour lost 19. |
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Reasons for Labour's defeat in 1959 |
-Disagreements over the true character of the party -Divisions over how far the party should push for socialist (such as nationalisation) ideas. -Splits over the issue of unilateralism -Uncertainty over whether Britain should join the EEC. -Conservatives said that they were leading Britain into prosperity -Negative public perception of their promise regarding the state pensions. People thought that in reality taxation would increase. |
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Labour's reaction to its defeat |
-Gaitskell accused the left of the weakening the movement by their demands for unilateralism. -The left replied by attacking him over his betrayal of the party principle by dropping nationalisation as a primary goal. -1960 Gaitskell lost the election however a year later the party agreed to drop unilateralism as party policy. |
