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'''Harold Wilson''' (born James Harold Wilson), Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, was the [[Labour Party|Labour]] Prime Minister of Britain (the [[United Kingdom]]) from 1964-1970 and from 1974-1976. Having spent 13 years out of office after defeat in 1951; Harold Wilson was elected prime minister in 1964 following widespread discontent against the Conservative government. Wilson's government saw the liberalisation of Britain begin, with the legalisation of homosexuality, abortion and the removal of theatrical and cinema moral censorship. All anointed to be causes of the "permissive society" in Britain in the 1960's. Wilson set out also to drastically advance the British Economy through the creation of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA). However all his Economic ideas held little success and he was defeated in the 1970 election by [[Edward Heath]]; whom Wilson would then defeat again narrowly in 1974. Combined, the economic failures of Heath and Wilson set the stage for the renewal of British energy and leadership under [[Margaret Thatcher]], beginning in 1979.[[File:Pimlott.jpg|thumb|350px]]

'''Harold Wilson''' (born James Harold Wilson), Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, was the [[Labour Party|Labour]] Prime Minister of Britain (the [[United Kingdom]]) from 1964 to 1970 and from 1974 to 1976. Having spent 13 years out of office after defeat in 1951; Harold Wilson was elected prime minister in 1964 following widespread discontent against the Conservative government. Wilson's government saw the liberalisation of Britain begin, with the legalisation of homosexuality, abortion and the removal of theatrical and cinema moral censorship. All anointed to be causes of the "permissive society" in Britain in the 1960s. Wilson set out also to drastically advance the British Economy through the creation of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA). However all his Economic ideas held little success and he was defeated in the 1970 election by [[Edward Heath]]; whom Wilson would then defeat again narrowly in 1974. Combined, the economic failures of Heath and Wilson set the stage for the renewal of British energy and leadership under [[Margaret Thatcher]], beginning in 1979.[[File:Pimlott.jpg|thumb|350px]]

 

==Career==

==Career==

==Prime Minister==

==Prime Minister==

Wilson won more general elections than any other British politician in the 20th Century. He won in 1964, 1966, and twice in 1974 although the February 1974 election resulted in a minority government. During his time in office he only once had a large majority (96 seats at the 1966 election) and struggled to get contentious legislation passed. Even so his legacy includes the [[Open University]] and the first steps toward British membership of the [[EEC]]. He also successfully kept Britain out of the war in [[Vietnam]].

Wilson won more general elections than any other British politician in the 20th Century. He won in 1964, 1966, and twice in 1974 although the February 1974 election resulted in a minority government. During his time in office he only once had a large majority (96 seats at the 1966 election) and struggled to get contentious legislation passed. Even so, his legacy includes the [[Open University]] and the first steps toward British membership of the [[EEC]]. He also successfully kept Britain out of the war in [[Vietnam]].

===Relations with U.S.===

===Relations with U.S.===

Although the United States and Britain have shared a "special relationship" in foreign relations since 1940, this link was weakened during the 1960s by several factors: differing foreign policy aims, varying national and international security ideas, and unfriendly personal relations between President [[Lyndon Johnson]] and Wilson. The relationship did not improve until the 1970s.  

Although the United States and Britain have shared a "special relationship" in foreign relations since 1940, this link was weakened during the 1960s by several factors: differing foreign policy aims, varying national and international security ideas, and unfriendly personal relations between President [[Lyndon Johnson]] and Wilson. The relationship did not improve until the 1970s.  

===Liberalisation===

===Liberalisation===

The Wilson government committed itself to the Liberalisation of British Society in the 1960's. Wilson's Home Secretary [[Roy Jenkins]] undertook an extreme liberal agenda abolishing Capital Punishment, completely legalizing abortion and then homosexuality.<ref>The Making of Modern Britain 1951-2007- Chris Rowe: Page 51</ref> At the same time censorship on obsenity was abolished paving the way for what would become known as the "Permissive Society" in Britain during the 1960's and a new sex culture emerged. This polarized society creating tense divisions between the [[Liberal]] young generations and older Conservative Christians such as [[Mary Whitehouse]] who seeked to defend tradition morals and values in the country, becoming what would be known as the "Generation Gap" in Britain.<ref>The Making of Modern Britain 1951-2007- Chris Rowe: Page 69</ref>

The Wilson government committed itself to the Liberalisation of British Society in the 1960s. Wilson's Home Secretary [[Roy Jenkins]] undertook an extreme liberal agenda abolishing Capital Punishment, completely legalizing abortion and then homosexuality.<ref>The Making of Modern Britain 1951-2007- Chris Rowe: Page 51</ref> At the same time censorship on obsenity was abolished paving the way for what would become known as the "Permissive Society" in Britain during the 1960s and a new sex culture emerged. This polarized society creating tense divisions between the [[Liberal]] young generations and older Conservative Christians such as [[Mary Whitehouse]] who sought to defend tradition morals and values in the country, becoming what would be known as the "Generation Gap" in Britain.<ref>The Making of Modern Britain 1951-2007- Chris Rowe: Page 69</ref>

===Immigration===

===Immigration===

===Socialism===

===Socialism===

Despite its alleged commitment to socialism, the British Labour Party has been flexible and reformist in its doctrine ever since it was founded in 1900. After the crisis of 1931, the party adopted a broadly social democratic program in which socialism was linked with the idea of economic planning and social welfare. The Attlee government of 1945-51 was very moderate in its commitment to socialism. The years of opposition saw violent arguments in the party between left-wing Bevanites and the center-right supporters of Hugh Gaitskell. But the main differences concerned foreign and defense policy. On domestic issues, the party was now broadly revisionist, committed to the mixed economy and social equality.  

Despite its alleged commitment to socialism, the British Labour Party has been flexible and reformist in its doctrine ever since it was founded in 1900. After the crisis of 1931, the party adopted a broadly social democratic program in which socialism was linked with the idea of economic planning and social welfare. The Attlee government of 1945-51 was very moderate in its commitment to socialism. The years of opposition saw violent arguments in the party between left-wing Bevanites and the center-right supporters of Hugh Gaitskell. But the main differences concerned foreign and defense policy. On domestic issues, the party was now broadly revisionist, committed to the mixed economy and social equality.  

===New Left===

===New Left===

Wilson, on becoming prime minister in 1964, tried to bypass old doctrinal arguments by harnessing socialism to ideas of scientific modernization. But his government was a great failure, not least in its relations with the trade unions, the linchpin of the party since its founding. This bred much disillusionment and launched a new left-wing socialism in the 1970s. Wilson represented the older traditions of the Party and never understood the emerging "New Left" with new social roots, radical new ideas and new styles of political behaviour in the late 1970s. Following the disillusion and demoralization of traditional Labour Party activists with Wilson's government, a more radical and well-educated local Labour leadership appeared at the local level.  The Labour government of 1974-79 added to this division. The left-wing pressure reached its climax in the early 1980s when Thatcher was in power, but resulted only in heavy defeats for Labour in 1983 and 1987. The general impression in 1989 is of a loss of political and intellectual confidence, with British socialism trapped between a cherished past and an uncertain future.<ref>Kenneth O. Morgan, ''Britain since 1945: The People's Peace'' (2001)</ref>

Wilson, on becoming prime minister in 1964, tried to bypass old doctrinal arguments by harnessing socialism to ideas of scientific modernization. But his government was a great failure, not least in its relations with the trade unions, the linchpin of the party since its founding. This bred much disillusionment and launched a new left-wing socialism in the 1970s. Wilson represented the older traditions of the Party and never understood the emerging "New Left" with new social roots, radical new ideas and new styles of political behaviour in the late 1970s. Following the disillusion and demoralization of traditional Labour Party activists with Wilson's government, a more radical and well-educated local Labour leadership appeared at the local level.  The Labour government of 1974-79 added to this division. The left-wing pressure reached its climax in the early 1980s when Thatcher was in power, but resulted only in heavy defeats for Labour in 1983 and 1987. The general impression in 1989 is of a loss of political and intellectual confidence, with British socialism trapped between a cherished past and an uncertain future.<ref>Kenneth O. Morgan, ''Britain since 1945: The People's Peace'' (2001)</ref>

===Europe===

===Europe===

In October 1966 Wilson quietly began an enquiry among European Economic Community (EEC) countries to see if the conditions existed for British membership in the EEC. His move politically rather than economically motivated. Faced with the contraction of Britain's political influence in Europe and in the Atlantic alliance, the erosion of Britain's position in the Commonwealth, and the termination of Britain's defense commitments east of Suez, Wilson had little choice but to turn to the EEC. His bid was subsequentially rejected, vetoed again by France.

In October 1966 Wilson quietly began an enquiry among European Economic Community (EEC) countries to see if the conditions existed for British membership in the EEC. His move politically rather than economically motivated. Faced with the contraction of Britain's political influence in Europe and in the Atlantic alliance, the erosion of Britain's position in the Commonwealth, and the termination of Britain's defense commitments east of Suez, Wilson had little choice but to turn to the EEC. His bid was subsequentially rejected, vetoed again by France.

===Administration===

===Administration===

Changes to the machinery of government were central to the British Labour Party's policy agenda during 1964-70, key parts of which, particularly the drive for planned economic growth, were not achieved. The ideological basis for the objectives being pursued, such as economic expansion, was never properly explored or developed. However, some of Wilson's innovations, such as the incorporation of more outsiders into Whitehall, the first use of special advisers, and the establishment of the Ministry of Overseas Development and the Welsh Office, were successful.<ref>Andrew Blick, "Harold Wilson, Labour and the Machinery of Government" ''Contemporary British History'' 2006 20(3): 343-362</ref>

Changes to the machinery of government were central to the British Labour Party's policy agenda during 1964–70, key parts of which, particularly the drive for planned economic growth, were not achieved. The ideological basis for the objectives being pursued, such as economic expansion, was never properly explored or developed. However, some of Wilson's innovations, such as the incorporation of more outsiders into Whitehall, the first use of special advisers, and the establishment of the Ministry of Overseas Development and the Welsh Office, were successful.<ref>Andrew Blick, "Harold Wilson, Labour and the Machinery of Government" ''Contemporary British History'' 2006 20(3): 343-362</ref>

==Image==

==Image==

He died of colon cancer and Alzheimer's disease in 1995.

He died of colon cancer and Alzheimer's disease in 1995.

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

* Fielding, Steven.  "Rethinking Labour's 1964 Campaign". ''Contemporary British History'' 2007 21(3): 309-324  

* Fielding, Steven.  "Rethinking Labour's 1964 Campaign". ''Contemporary British History'' 2007 21(3): 309-324  

* Morgan, Austen.  ''Harold Wilson'' (1992), 625pp; negative appraisal

* Morgan, Austen.  ''Harold Wilson'' (1992), 625pp; negative appraisal

* O'Hara, Glen. "'Dynamic, Exciting, Thrilling Change': The Wilson Government's Economic Policies, 1964-70," ''Contemporary British History'' 2006 20(3): 383-402  

* O'Hara, Glen. "'Dynamic, Exciting, Thrilling Change': The Wilson Government's Economic Policies, 1964-70," ''Contemporary British History'' 2006 20(3): 383-402  

* Pimlott, Ben. ''Harold Wilson'' (1992). Pimlott tries to rehabilitate Wilson’s political reputation, revealing that he was the prisoner rather than the master of various domestic and international dilemmas.  

* Pimlott, Ben. ''Harold Wilson'' (1992). Pimlott tries to rehabilitate Wilson's political reputation, revealing that he was the prisoner rather than the master of various domestic and international dilemmas.  

* Ponting, Clive. ''Breach of Promise: Labour in Power, 1964-70'' (1989)

* Ponting, Clive. ''Breach of Promise: Labour in Power, 1964-70'' (1989)

* Vickers, Rhiannon. "Harold Wilson, the British Labour Party, and the War in Vietnam". ''Journal of Cold War Studies'' 2008 10(2): 41-70 30p.in [[EBSCO]]

* Vickers, Rhiannon. "Harold Wilson, the British Labour Party, and the War in Vietnam". ''Journal of Cold War Studies'' 2008 10(2): 41-70 30p.in [[EBSCO]]

====References====

====References====

[[Category:British History]]

[[Category:British History]]

[[Category:United Kingdom Prime Ministers|Wilson, Harold]]

[[Category:United Kingdom Prime Ministers|Wilson, Harold]]

[[Category:1960s]]

[[Category:1960s]]

[[Category:New Left]]

[[Category:New Left]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, Harold}}

[[Category:Peerage of the United Kingdom]]