“Who governs Britain?”
Britain in the early 1970’s was a state in crisis, and by 1974, things had never seemed bleaker. Held hostage by the Trade Unions, British industry was flailing. England’s sporting record was atrocious, the economy was tanking and the prospect of a miners’ strike loomed large. Violence was surging in Northern Ireland, as the IRA escalated its bombing campaigns, and the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War would send oil prices soaring, with the miners on the verge on plunging Britain into darkness. By the end of the year, the British people had voted in two general elections, had a three-day week enforced on them, and the Conservative party were on the cusp of electing their first female leader…
Join Dominic and Tom for the first episode of their four-part epic on 1974, undoubtedly one of the darkest and most dramatic years in British political history…
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In the annals of British history, 1974 is often remembered as a tumultuous year that nearly brought the country to its knees. From political upheaval to economic turmoil, a series of events unfolded that tested the resilience of the nation and its people.
One of the defining moments of 1974 was the February general election, which resulted in a hung parliament for the first time in over half a century. The ruling Conservative government under Prime Minister Edward Heath failed to secure a majority, leading to a period of political uncertainty and negotiations with the Liberal Party to form a coalition government. Ultimately, it was Labour leader Harold Wilson who managed to secure a narrow majority and become the Prime Minister, marking the beginning of his second term in office.
However, the challenges facing Britain in 1974 went beyond just political instability. The country was grappling with a severe economic crisis, characterized by soaring inflation, rising unemployment, and industrial unrest. The oil crisis of 1973 had sent shockwaves through the global economy, leading to a sharp increase in the price of oil and pushing Britain further into recession.
The economic turmoil also exacerbated social divisions within the country, as working-class communities bore the brunt of job losses and wage freezes. Inflation reached double-digit levels, eroding the purchasing power of ordinary citizens and fueling discontent with the government’s handling of the crisis.
Adding to the country’s woes, the Troubles in Northern Ireland escalated in 1974, with a wave of bombings and killings carried out by paramilitary groups on both sides of the conflict. The Birmingham pub bombings in November, which claimed the lives of 21 people and injured dozens more, shocked the nation and underscored the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Despite the challenges faced by Britain in 1974, the country did not succumb to despair. The resilience and resolve of the British people shone through in the face of adversity, as communities came together to support each other and work towards a better future.
In the years that followed, the country would slowly but surely recover from the crisis of 1974, with successive governments implementing policies to rebuild the economy, strengthen social cohesion, and promote peace in Northern Ireland.
Looking back on the events of 1974, it is clear that the year was a defining moment in British history, a time when the nation was tested and found the strength to overcome the challenges that threatened to crush it. It serves as a reminder of the importance of resilience, unity, and determination in the face of adversity – lessons that continue to resonate today.
I left school after my highers in 1974. I started my training for registered nursing and competed it 3 years later as planned. My first pay was £36 after tax for the whole month. I remember the 3 day week but nobody I knew was affected by it. Also everyone at school either had a job to go to or trained for avocation or went to university. Back then less people went to uni and it was far harder to get in but you got a grant to help if you were eligible. Nobody went on the dole.
We still had a ball, went out to discos , or to see a movie , or to see Elton John. We saved up for the things we wanted and there were no credit cards. We went out for a drink or two and wouldn’t have thought about drinking at home first. Hardly anybody had car and used public transport , walking home at times without a second thought!
But we were happy and looked forward to a bright future but we didn’t have unrealistic expectations or a sense of entitlement like many have today.
Amin was an NCO in the King's African Rifles.
….1974 is nothing compared to the islamist future your in right now…
Wilson was forced to devalue the Pound after 3 years of financial crises that caused runs on the Pound. These crises took all of our foreign currency reserves and most of our bullion reserves to protect the Pound and left us with vast debts. The causes of these crises was the basket case British economy. Under the Conservatives we had a boom and bust economy with falling productivity between 1952 and 1964. When Wilson took over one of his government's first actions was to announce the trade figures that had been delayed by the election and to hold a budget. The financial markets had expected a trade deficit of a mere £400 million. Government announced a deficit of £800 million, which coupled with a budget that said the economy was sound and made no attempt to address to inherent weaknesses of the economy including overmanning to keep unemployment figures artificially low, lead the foreign currency traders to shift to more stable and productive currencies and away from the Pound. Over the next 3 years poor trade figures, industrial unrest and bad budgets triggered a new crisis until finally the pound was devalued by 14%.
That dark period of history, the 1970s, when working people could afford to raise a family and buy a house on one wage.
I think Idi Amin had good intentions although could have been extremely impractical.
The fact that British public considered Amins helping intentions however impractical as humiliating is the basic problem that plagued Britian and other former colonial powers and is probably what characterises any sunsetting power throughout history.
Hilarious! A brilliant summation of a crisis that seemed neverending at the time. I lived through this period. I was a university student. Scargill visited us in Norwich to thank us for our support in picketing coal imports during the strike. Another time, another word!
Perhaps the surrender of the. British Empire was the final expression of the Western Enlightenment. And that was why the transition to a non Empire paradigm was so seamless ?
74 was great the petrol crisis made my parents buy a Honda Monkeybike for my mum to go shopping cheaply. I wasa young teen and learned to ride it in the garden.
what a fantastic channel …… what a treat to hear 2 inteligent people discuss such matters …. thank you
My relatives fled the socialism there and arrived in the US with money sewed in their clothes to be able to escape with it. All the relatives who left are millionaires, all who stayed in the UK live in poverty.
Edward Heath could do a brilliant impersonation of Mike Yarwood!
TED…Teddy Heath …didnt he buggr and murdr wee boys ? yes tht bit ..Kincoras Scandalious renting of boys to military and political gay figures ….took them out on his GypsyMoth …fkd them and drown them after ..JimmySaville crew under Hiself …blew up mountbttn ..slavidfreedoms .hard earned .lores and wars ….now ..jucalls .wtf….flegs today .
My favourite content for a long time from these days. I suppose the fact it's one of Dom's speciality subjects.
74 was the year my family emigrated to Australia, largely for the reasons given
Love these two. But there is no way their voices match their faces!!
1974 wasn't all bad. Leeds United won the Division One title. Also you could buy Curly Wurlies for 10p.
A couple of toffs
Thanks lads, you brought back such fond memories of my youth.
Interesting that the economy always collapses under the Tories and yet they still con people they are the party of fiscal responsibility
Britains crash started in 1979.
As a young coal miner 1972/74 strikes I remember distinctly witnessing the mass exodus of miners leaving their industry due to low wages. 1972 saw miners 16th in 47:38 Britain’s wages league. After the 72 Strike Mineworkers were upgraded to 2nd in the nation’s wages league. By 1974 Mineworkers wages nosedived to around 16th in the said league. So the cycle continued…
During the 1950 election the Met police quietly informed the Tory whips’ office that Edward Heath had been apprehended cottaging in gentlemen’s lavatories, and discreetly released without being charged.
Another future prime minister cottaged during his time at Oxford university as Miranda.