The UK general election of 1964 was a closely contested election that saw the Labour Party win a narrow victory over the incumbent Conservative Party, ending 13 years of Conservative rule. The election was held on October 15, 1964, and resulted in the Labour Party winning 317 seats in the House of Commons, while the Conservative Party won 304 seats.

The election campaign was dominated by issues of economic management, with both parties offering differing views on how best to address Britain's economic problems. The Conservative Party, under the leadership of Sir Alec Douglas-Home, campaigned on a platform of stability and continued economic growth, while the Labour Party, led by Harold Wilson, promised to modernize the economy and create a more egalitarian society.

One of the key factors in Labour's victory was the support they received from young voters and women, who were attracted to the party's promises of greater social mobility and expanded welfare programs. Labour also benefited from a surge in support in Scotland, where they won 50 of the 71 seats on offer.

The election was also notable for the role played by television, which was increasingly becoming a key medium for political communication. The two main party leaders took part in televised debates, which were watched by millions of viewers and helped to shape the election campaign.

Following the election, Harold Wilson became Prime Minister and immediately set about implementing his party's program of economic and social reform. His government introduced a number of important initiatives, including the creation of the Open University, the abolition of the death penalty, and the introduction of a new race relations act.

However, Wilson's government was also beset by a number of challenges, including rising inflation and a balance of payments crisis, which led to the devaluation of the pound in 1967. These challenges, combined with growing unrest among trade unions, would ultimately contribute to the downfall of Wilson's government in the 1970s.

Despite these challenges, the 1964 election remains an important moment in British political history, marking the end of the long period of Conservative rule and the beginning of a new era of social and economic reform under the Labour Party.

One important aspect of the election was the role of political personalities. Harold Wilson was seen as a charismatic and dynamic figure who was able to connect with voters, particularly younger voters. He campaigned on a platform of "modernization" and promised to bring Britain into the "white heat" of the technological revolution. In contrast, the Conservative leader Sir Alec Douglas-Home was seen as an aristocratic and old-fashioned figure who struggled to connect with voters.

Another key issue in the election was Britain's relationship with Europe. The Conservative Party was in favour of continuing the UK's close ties with Europe, while Labour was more sceptical. The election took place just a year after the signing of the Rome Treaty, which established the European Economic Community (EEC), and the issue of Britain's membership of the EEC would become increasingly contentious over the coming decades.

The 1964 election also marked the beginning of a period of significant social and cultural change in Britain. The 1960s saw a wave of liberalization and social experimentation, with the rise of youth culture, the Beatles, and the sexual revolution. The Labour Party's victory in 1964 was seen as a symbol of this changing mood, with many voters looking to the party to deliver greater social and economic freedom.

In terms of policy, the Labour government introduced a range of important reforms in areas such as education, health, and housing. The creation of the Open University was a particularly significant achievement, as it allowed people who had missed out on higher education to gain qualifications and improve their prospects. Labour also introduced a number of measures to improve social welfare, including increases in pensions and child benefit.

However, the government faced significant economic challenges, including inflation, balance of payments problems, and a growing budget deficit. In 1967, the government was forced to devalue the pound, which led to a loss of confidence in the government's economic management. These challenges, combined with growing industrial unrest and political divisions within the Labour Party, would ultimately lead to the government's downfall in the early 1970s.

Despite these challenges, the 1964 election remains an important moment in British political history. It marked the end of a long period of Conservative rule and the beginning of a new era of social and economic reform under the Labour Party. The election also reflected broader social and cultural changes that were taking place in Britain, and set the stage for the political and economic challenges that would shape the country over the coming decades.