Politics-Prime Ministers - Harold Wilson

Harold Wilson

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Harold Wilson, born on March 11th, 1916, was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, first from 1964 to 1970, and then again from 1974 to 1976. He was a highly regarded politician of his time, known for his oratory skills and intelligence, and was the first leader of the Labour Party to win two general elections in the post-war era. Wilson was also the youngest person to hold the office of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the 20th century.

Wilson was born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, to James Herbert Wilson, a chemical worker, and Ethel Makepeace, a schoolteacher. He was educated at the Royds Hall Grammar School, where he was a brilliant student, and later at Oxford University, where he received a first-class degree in philosophy, politics, and economics. Wilson then began his career as a lecturer in economics, and later as a civil servant, before entering politics in 1945, when he was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ormskirk.

Wilson's rise in the Labour Party was rapid. He was appointed as the President of the Board of Trade in 1947, and then as the Minister of Fuel and Power in 1949. In 1951, he was made the President of the Board of Education, and in 1961, he was appointed as the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer. It was during this period that Wilson became known for his oratory skills and his ability to communicate complex economic issues to the general public.

In 1963, following the sudden resignation of Hugh Gaitskell, Wilson was elected as the Leader of the Labour Party. He then led the party to victory in the 1964 general election, defeating the incumbent Conservative Prime Minister, Sir Alec Douglas-Home. Wilson's government was faced with a number of challenges, including a declining economy, rising inflation, and a deteriorating balance of payments. However, he implemented a series of measures to address these issues, including the devaluation of the pound, the introduction of a prices and incomes policy, and the establishment of the Department of Economic Affairs.

During his first term in office, Wilson also oversaw a number of important social reforms, including the abolition of the death penalty, the introduction of the Race Relations Act, and the legalisation of abortion and homosexuality. However, his government was also faced with a number of controversial issues, such as the deployment of British troops to Northern Ireland and the decision to withdraw from the East of Suez.

In 1970, Wilson's government was defeated in a general election by the Conservative Party led by Edward Heath. Wilson then led the Labour Party into the 1974 general election, which resulted in a hung parliament. He then formed a minority government, and after a second general election in the same year, he was able to form a coalition government with the support of the Liberal Party.

Wilson's second term in office was dominated by economic issues, including the oil crisis of 1973 and the high inflation that followed. He implemented a number of measures to address these issues, including the introduction of a statutory prices and incomes policy and the establishment of the National Enterprise Board. He also introduced a number of social reforms, such as the Sex Discrimination Act and the establishment of the Open University.

In 1976, Wilson announced his resignation as Prime Minister, citing health reasons. He was succeeded by James Callaghan, who led the Labour Party to defeat in the 1979 general election.

Wilson's legacy as a Prime Minister is complex. He was a highly intelligent and skilled politician who was able to communicate complex economic issues to the general public. He also oversaw a number of important social reforms.

Years as Prime Minster

During his two terms as Prime Minister, Harold Wilson faced a number of important events and challenges that tested his leadership and political skills.

In his first term, Wilson's government was faced with a deteriorating economy, rising inflation, and a balance of payments crisis. In November 1967, Wilson announced the devaluation of the pound by 14%, which caused controversy and criticism from the opposition. However, the devaluation helped to boost exports and improve the balance of payments, and Wilson was able to implement a prices and incomes policy to control inflation.

During this period, Wilson also had to deal with the growing conflict in Northern Ireland, which had erupted into violence in 1969. In 1970, the British army was deployed to the province to restore order, a decision that was widely criticized by both the Catholic and Protestant communities. The situation in Northern Ireland remained a major issue throughout Wilson's time in office.

In 1967, Wilson established the Department of Economic Affairs, which was tasked with promoting economic growth and investment. However, the department was seen as a failure and was disbanded in 1969.

In 1969, Wilson's government introduced the Open University, a new institution that offered distance learning courses to people who could not attend traditional universities. This initiative was seen as a major social reform and helped to democratize access to higher education.

In the 1970 general election, Wilson's government was defeated by the Conservative Party led by Edward Heath. However, in 1974, Wilson led the Labour Party to victory in a hung parliament, and he formed a minority government. In a second general election later that year, the Labour Party won a narrow majority, and Wilson was able to form a coalition government with the support of the Liberal Party.

During his second term in office, Wilson's government faced a number of economic challenges, including the oil crisis of 1973, which caused a sharp rise in oil prices and led to high inflation. Wilson introduced a statutory prices and incomes policy to control inflation, but this was seen as a controversial move that infringed on the freedom of employers and workers.

In 1975, the UK held a referendum on whether to remain in the European Economic Community (EEC), which the country had joined in 1973. Wilson campaigned for a 'yes' vote, but the public was deeply divided on the issue. In the end, the 'yes' vote won by a narrow margin, and the UK remained in the EEC.

In 1976, Wilson announced his resignation as Prime Minister, citing health reasons. He was succeeded by James Callaghan, who faced a number of economic challenges and ultimately led the Labour Party to defeat in the 1979 general election.

Overall, Wilson's time as Prime Minister was marked by significant economic and social changes, as well as important international events. Despite some controversies and challenges, he was widely regarded as an intelligent and capable leader who made important contributions to the political and social landscape of the UK.

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Reference: Article by Greg Scott (Staff Historian), 2024

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