Since takeover in 1964, Britain had experienced huge trade deficit
After repeated near-misses Wilson was forced to devalue
the pound from $2.80 to $2.40 in November 1967
Huge national embarrassment, but trade soon
improves as UK exports are now cheaper
October 1967 saw worst monthly trade
deficit in British history
The Ministry of
Technology
In 1964 Wilson established the Department for Economic Affairs headed by
George Brown in an attempt to encourage industrial and export led growth
Attempts to encourage the 'White heat of technology'
Overall - The new DEA failed to make an impact, and inflation,
trade deficit and continual EEC refusal emphasised poor
economic performance throughout the 60s
De Gaulle continues to deny
British entry into EEC in 1967
The 'Civilised
Society'
Notable Social
Reforms
Capital Punishment abolished in 1969
Sexual Offenses Bill 1967 legalises homosexuality
Abortion Bill 1967 legalises abortion on medical grounds
Theatres Act 1968 abolished stage censorship
Race Relations Acts 1966 and 68 establishes Race Relations
Board to investigate claims of discrimination
Masterminded by Roy Jenkins as Home Secretary
Education
Tony Crosland establishes numerous polytechnics designed to
promote technological learning while expands HE institutions such
as University of Lancaster 1964
Jennie Lee as Minister for Arts
pioneers the Open University
Overall - Under Roy Jenkins, huge social liberation was
achieved during the Wilson years, and is perhaps the most
successful aspect of his time in Office
Election Victory
Wilson
Successfully won election in 1964 due to outdated image
of Conservatives under Douglas-Home
Wilson often outwitted and outmanoeuvred Home in the Commons
Wilson's middle-class roots and outlook seemed more in tune
with the mood of the 'Swinging Sixties'
Conservative
Failures
Home was a weak and unenthusiastic leader, many
Tory's thought Butler would have been better
Tory failure to enter EEC in 1963 highlighted
international weakness
Unemployment reached 800,000 in 1963
Scandals such as the 'Profumo Affair' in 1962
Overall - Similar to the 1945 election, Wilson and Labour
were a charismatic alternative when rapid social
changes were taking place in British society
Trade Unions and
Race Relations
'In Place of Strife'
1969
Barbara Castle publishes a white paper called 'In
Place of Strife' designed to curb Trade Union powers
Wilson was convinced the Trade Unions needed to be tamed
after Docker's Strike in 1967 caused a highly precarious
situation with the balance of payments
Union members now had to ballot and agree with a clear majority before
industrial action could be called
Left-wing of the party were hugely against the Paper, and it was eventually called
off after Callaghan stressed the importance of Union support for the Labour Party
Only a small agreement was eventually made with the Unions, and it was
ultimately a highly embarrassing episode for Wilson
Overall - The Wilson years saw a growth in Union power, and the
ultimately unsuccessful actions of 'In Place of Strife' proved to be
a crippling humiliation for the Labour government
Race Relations and
Immigration
Enoch Powell's 'Rivers of Blood' speech provokes widespread
fear over immigration and heightens racial tensions
The Race Relations Acts of 1966 and 1968 attempted to control instances of
discrimination, but there was still rising racial tensions throughout the 60s