Breach of Promise: Labour in Power 1964-70

by Clive Ponting

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: History

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Andres Cordoba · Rating 5 out of 5]

An overtly critical review of the Labour government from 1964-70, the book is eloquent throughout and walks through periods of crisis, political and economic realities, and a web of promises fulfilled and more than likely, broken. Skipping the lead up to the characters in part one, which was merely informative, I can write briefly on the other four sections. Section 2, treats the government in the tentative way that was characteristic of the time, even decades later. Most importantly, it establishes the connections and stopgaps that were to define the rest of the government: an American connection, economic/defense policy, Society and Rhodesia. Despite a somewhat flimsy record, the holding patters of a government in only partial control with a weak inheritance prevents a harsh verdict. Parts 3 & 4 in contrast do not hold back as foreign policy failure in Rhodesia, humiliating defense drawbacks east of Suez, and a dominating and permanent economic crisis. The failure to detach from disinterested Americans or come to any sort of rational economic policy cuts clean through. Most importantly, unlike the 74-79 government that would come in the next decade, nothing, not even bad economic policy was put forward as a result. Under Wilson's arm the UK is seen as under a caretaker government with no visions or plans. Not to exempt the rest of the cabinet however, each lacking in their own visions or projects, or more importantly plans to enact any proposal. Though Wilson holds many off in petty rivalries, the lack of any motivating force from any department is the clear through point wrapped up in part 5. In over a decade, when Thatcher would rule, the opposite and reactionary force would come to dominate, an ideological plan without any sort of moderating subordination to reality, bending the UK to the will of a strong leader and party, for better or for worse. Without the excessively weak government that preceded, without any forceful or forward thinking solutions to promises it is easier to see how this came about. Ultimately the book establish a solid description mostly from it's proof that the Labour Government was in constant Breach of Promise, devoted to nothing but the truest attempt at conservatism, a permanent set of weak adjustments to the status quo with no loyalty to the manifesto, the party or the people.