UK General Election February 1974 - Harold Wilson Speech

Harold Wilson on the inconclusive results.

Conservative Prime Minister Edward Heaths decision to call a snap election in February 1974 backfired.

His plea to the electors to "return a strong government with a firm mandate" was ignored as Britain was faced with its first hung parliament since 1929.

Although Labour won fewer votes than the Conservatives, the party took four more seats, 301 against 297. After four days of indecision that saw Heath unable to convince the Liberals to lend him their support he had no choice but to resign.

Labour leader Harold Wilson was back in Downing Street for the third time, but now he would have to deal with the fresh challenge of heading a minority administration which could fall at any time.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• labour
• conservative
• liberal
• snp
• plaid
• united
• kingdom
• edward
• heath
• jeremy
• thorpe
• harold
• wilson
• sunningdale
• agreement
• ulster
• unionist

[Scampirat]

Harold Wilson was a LEGEND! He kept us out of Vietnam! Why couldn't have had someone like him when the Iraq war started!

[StephenHP62]

Given the crisis conditions of the time, the record of the Wilson-Callaghan governments stands up rather well. They ended the coal strike and the 3-day week, brought down inflation from 25% to 10%, and mitigated the rise in unemployment (which more than tripled under the Conservatives in the early 1980s). Just as importantly, they protected the welfare state and even advanced it in some areas (eg. set up the State Earnings Related Pension). They also showed respect for the regions.

[TheJaaysog]

this man ended capital punishment, legalised gay relationships (not marriages,that was blair) and has the best record on income equality. Good old mr Wilson!

[Coneheadedweasel]

@RichardElden

Ah the wit and wisdom of the lesser spotted Sun Reader! 

[WORLD8NSH5KNIGHT1]

@RichardElden

Rubbish. Claimants vote for a variety of parties and many don't vote at all.

[WORLD8NSH5KNIGHT1]

@RichardElden

Keep spouting out your crap you sick fuck.

I hate the Tories, but I wouldn't wish those things on them.

You are a fascist and a fanatic.

[WORLD8NSH5KNIGHT1]

@RichardElden

Looking at your lovely trend of comments, I suggest you get medical help

Or join the Tea Party

[winifredatwell]

Heath, whose later friendship with Tony Benn over international peacemaking efforts should be remembered, would today be considered to the left of figures like Tony Blair on many issues. Heath was a brave and impressive man in many ways. He was not an opportunist, and his principles never hardened into unreasonableness and dogma. He gained a deserved reputation for his respect of the parliament.

[winifredatwell]

Heath, whose later friendship with Tony Benn over international peacemaking efforts whould be remembered, would today be considered to the left of figures like Tony Blair. Heath was a brave and impressive man in many ways.

[Dalek1230]

@StephenHP62 Point is this muppet was hated,and people can make up lies all day, but the people voted