British History- The First Labour (Minority) Government (1923)

In the 1923 general election, how many more votes does Labour win in relation to the Liberals?

Only 120,000 more votes-- politicians argue they should resign because of this weak mandate

Why did the Labour minority government not want a coalition with the Liberals?

Macdonald was against a coalition with the Liberals because he wanted to destroy them as their electoral rival

How did Snowden attempt to give Labour a good reputation for handling the economy?

He introduced a 'model Gladstonian' budget which cut direct tax by £14million and he tried to balance the budget

How did the Labour minority government not take the opportunity to gain electoral support from women?

They offered NO reforms concerning women, the Conservatives WILL once they get back into government

How many houses were built under the first Labour government? (biggest achievement)

520,000 new houses

By how many £ did Wheatley subsidise each council house?

By £9 -- generous subsidy

Did the first Labour government tackle unemployment well?

No, it barely falls while they're in govt and they don't do significant amounts to address it

How many Ex-Conservative peers did Macdonald appoint to his cabinet?

Two --shows want for public acceptance and m/c influence on Labour

How did the First Labour Government react coercively to a dockers strike?

They threated the 1920 Emergency Powers Act in order to keep transport operating despite the threat posed by the strike

What was the Campbell scandal?

An editor of a Communist journal, Campbell, wrote that British soldiers should refuse to fire on workers, Maxton protested this and MacDonald calls for attorney general to drop charges against Campbell

Which name in particular represented the left-wing, socialist sect of the Labour party during its first ministry?

Maxton

What was the Zinoviev letter scandal under the First Labour Government?

A letter implicating the party with Russian communism and conspiring to unleash class war in Britain was published by the Daily Mail four days before the 1924 election-- this + Campbell Scandal reflects poorly

What causes the First Labour Government to resign?

MacDonald took a successful censure motion following the Campbell scandal as a defacto vote of no confidence, he resigns (at this point Lab had faced two censure motions)

What was the name of the housing reform introduced by the First Minority Labour government?

Wheatley's Housing Act

Which form of social insurance did Labour enhance during its First Minority Government?

They increased old age pensions

Which education social reform did Labour outline intent for during its first government?

They planned to raise the school age to 15

How was the collapse of the First Labour government in part due to the Liberals?

They withdrew their support because of disagreement over Labour being soft on socialism-- e.g Anglo-Russian trade agreement and recognising the USSR as a state + Campbell scandal

Why did Lloyd George choose to put Labour in power in 1923?

He pushed for the Liberals to support Labour because he did not want a protectionist government