Internal labour divisions

Question 1

Why was there a split, who did it involve and what did it do?

Answer 1

There were differences in ideology and personalities between Nye Bevan and Hugh Gaistkell. This split seriously harmed the effectiveness of Labour’s opposition to the tories.

Question 2

Describe Nye Bevan.

Answer 2

• A hero to the labour left.
• Resigned from gov in 1951 to protest against prescription charges.
• Gained support of many Labour Mps and trade unionists

Question 3

Describe Gaitskell.

Answer 3

• Introduced prescription charges.

- On the Right of the Labour Party and became leader in 1955, defeating Bevan in the election.

Question 4

Describe what the left wingers wanted the party to be and their view on UND.

Answer 4

• They wanted the party to be more socialist.
• 1957- Bevan announced his opposition to the UND, arguing it ‘would send a British Foreign Secretary naked into the conference-chamber’.
• However many labour left wingers joined the CND and this may have turned some voters away.

Question 5

What did Frank Cousins do?

Answer 5

Became leader of one of the most powerful trade unions (Transport and General Workers Union) in 1956.
Led fierce union opposition to Gaitskell over Britain’s nuclear weapons.

Question 6

When was the Blackpool conference and what happened?

Answer 6

1959- Gaitskell put forward the idea of abolishing clause 4 (nationalisation) but he backed down after fierce opposition from the left and union leaders.

Question 7

When was the Scarborough conference and what happened?

Answer 7

1960- Gaitskell gave an emotional speech trying to convince the conference to reject UND. He lost the vote in 1960 but he overturned that result a year later.

Question 8

How had Labours political position improved after 1960?

Answer 8

They appeared more united. In 1963, Gaitskell’s death paved the way for Labour to elect Harold Wilson as leader.