Free Essays on Labour Governments In The 1960’s And 1970’s.

Labour Governments In The 1960’s And 1970’s Were Widely Seen As Failing To Fulfill Labour Party Aims And Aspirations. How Far Was This True And, If So, Why? Answered With Reference To The 1964-70 Government The Labour government between 1964 and 1970 has been accused of failing to fulfill the aims and aspirations of the Labour party. Whether this accusation was justified relies heavily on how many difficulties Labour caused for themselves whilst in power, and how many they inherited from their Conservative predecessors. Their overly optimistic aims combined with an emphasis on planning (rather than action) is what they have been mainly criticized for, but the disastrous state of the economy that they were unexpectedly faced with also caused them many problems. Labour’s programme in 1964 was: (1) the active management of the economy using the instruments of fiscal policy, indicative planning and prices and incomes policy to accelerate economic growth, foster the planned and equitable rise of incomes and maintain full employment (2) the enhancement of social justice and equality via a more progressive tax system and expanded public programmes on health, housing, personal social services and education to be financed mainly by the increments of faster economic growth Wilson’s election manifesto in 1964 focused heavily on economic planning as a solution to Britain’s ailing economy. By the late 1950’s the economy was under increasing pressure from abroad as it became apparent that it was in relative decline compared with the faster growing economies of Germany, France and the rest of Western Europe. Sterling became particularly vulnerable after it was made fully convertible in 1958 so the government had less room for maneuver. Labour began to focus all their policies on defending the pound, as they viewed devaluation as the ultimate defeat and humiliation for Britain. However, the concentration on ‘planning’ ... Free Essays on Labour Governments In The 1960’s And 1970’s. Free Essays on Labour Governments In The 1960’s And 1970’s. Labour Governments In The 1960’s And 1970’s Were Widely Seen As Failing To Fulfill Labour Party Aims And Aspirations. How Far Was This True And, If So, Why? Answered With Reference To The 1964-70 Government The Labour government between 1964 and 1970 has been accused of failing to fulfill the aims and aspirations of the Labour party. Whether this accusation was justified relies heavily on how many difficulties Labour caused for themselves whilst in power, and how many they inherited from their Conservative predecessors. Their overly optimistic aims combined with an emphasis on planning (rather than action) is what they have been mainly criticized for, but the disastrous state of the economy that they were unexpectedly faced with also caused them many problems. Labour’s programme in 1964 was: (1) the active management of the economy using the instruments of fiscal policy, indicative planning and prices and incomes policy to accelerate economic growth, foster the planned and equitable rise of incomes and maintain full employment (2) the enhancement of social justice and equality via a more progressive tax system and expanded public programmes on health, housing, personal social services and education to be financed mainly by the increments of faster economic growth Wilson’s election manifesto in 1964 focused heavily on economic planning as a solution to Britain’s ailing economy. By the late 1950’s the economy was under increasing pressure from abroad as it became apparent that it was in relative decline compared with the faster growing economies of Germany, France and the rest of Western Europe. Sterling became particularly vulnerable after it was made fully convertible in 1958 so the government had less room for maneuver. Labour began to focus all their policies on defending the pound, as they viewed devaluation as the ultimate defeat and humiliation for Britain. However, the concentration on ‘planning’ ...