1974–1979: Labour Returns

Abstract

The public’s initial rating of Harold Wilson as Prime Minister was in contrast to Ted Heath’s: in April 1974 53 per cent said that they were satisfied with Wilson, compared with an average of 37 per cent for Heath’s premiership. In terms of party support, Labour started out with an 8-points’ advantage over the Conservatives, increasing to 16 points by April. Economically, the average index of earnings was rising faster than the retail price index, with unemployment running around the 500,000 mark. The most urgent problems facing the new government were thought to be strikes and prices, each mentioned by around one in three of the public. Only one in three felt that Labour would succeed in solving the problems it faced.