Labour Government 1974–79

Harold Wilson, Prime Minister (1974–1976)

James Callaghan, Prime Minister (1976–1979)

The Labour Party, led by Harold Wilson and then James Callaghan as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, governed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1974 until 1979. The end of Callaghan’s ministry was marked by the Winter of Discontent, a period of serious industrial discontent. This was followed by the election of Margaret Thatcher in 1979.

Formation

After the February 1974 general election, no party had a majority of seats. The incumbent Conservative party won the popular vote, but Labour took the most seats. Edward Heath, the Conservative prime minister, attempted to negotiate a coalition with the Liberal party, but resigned as prime minister after failing in this regard. The Labour Party, led by Harold Wilson, then established a minority government.

It was generally recognised that this had no long-term stability, and the October 1974 general election was held, the Wilson government gaining a majority of three seats.

The economy was in recession by the time of the first election, but economic growth was re-established by the end of 1975, although inflation which had run into double digits before Labour came to power was now above 20%. It would remain high for the rest of this government.

In March 1976, after his sixtieth birthday, Wilson resigned as prime minister. He was replaced by James Callaghan.

Within a year of Callaghan taking office, the narrow Labour majority was eliminated due to by-election defeats and in order to remain in power, Labour formed the Lib-Lab pact in March 1977 and this remained in force for 16 months. This minority government also managed to stay in power with unofficial deals with the Ulster Unionist Party and Scottish National Party.

By September 1978, economic growth had picked up and inflation was below 10%, and with most of the opinion polls showing a clear Labour lead it was widely expected that prime minister James Callaghan would call a general election that autumn, despite having another year to do so. However, he resisted these calls and Britain began 1979 with Labour still in power and Callaghan still in charge.

Fate

With strikes affecting Britain during the Winter of Discontent (late 1978/early 1979) and inflation back in double digits, the loss of a motion of no confidence in 1979 precipitated a General Election, which the Conservatives won - with their leader Margaret Thatcher becoming Britain's first female prime minister.

James Callaghan would continue to lead Labour in opposition for 18 months before stepping down to make way for Michael Foot.

Cabinets

Wilson's Cabinet, March 1974 – April 1976

Callaghan’s Cabinet, April 1976 – May 1979

Full List of Ministers

Members of the Cabinet are in bold face.

References

• D. Butler and G. Butler, Twentieth Century British Political Facts 1900-2000

• "British Cabinet and Government Membership". Retrieved 20 November 2007. 

v t e British governments 18th century Godolphin–Marlborough Harley Townshend First Stanhope–Sunderland Second Stanhope–Sunderland Walpole–Townshend Walpole Carteret Broad Bottom First Newcastle Devonshire–Pitt 1757 Caretaker Second Newcastle Bute Grenville First Rockingham Chatham Grafton North Second Rockingham Shelburne Fox–North Coalition First Pitt the Younger 19th century Addington Second Pitt the Younger Ministry of All the Talents Second Portland Perceval Liverpool Canning Goderich Wellington Grey First Melbourne Wellington Caretaker First Peel Second Melbourne Second Peel First Russell Who? Who? Aberdeen First Palmerston Second Derby Second Palmerston Second Russell Third Derby First Disraeli First Gladstone Second Disraeli Second Gladstone First Salisbury Third Gladstone Second Salisbury Fourth Gladstone Rosebery Third Salisbury 20th century Balfour Campbell-Bannerman First Asquith Second Asquith Lloyd George Bonar Law First Baldwin First MacDonald Second Baldwin Second MacDonald First National Second National Third National Fourth National Chamberlain War Churchill War Churchill Caretaker Attlee Third Churchill Eden Macmillan Douglas-Home First Wilson Heath Second Wilson Callaghan First Thatcher Second Thatcher Third Thatcher Major Blair 21st century Brown Cameron Current Ministry