First Wilson ministry
| First Wilson ministry | |
|---|---|
| 81st ministry of the United Kingdom (since 1707) | |
| 1964–1970 | |
 |
|
| Date formed | 16 October 1964 |
| Date dissolved | 19 June 1970 |
| People and organisations | |
| Head of government | Harold Wilson |
| Head of state | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Member party | Labour Party |
| Status in legislature | Majority |
| Opposition cabinet | Heath Shadow Cabinet |
| Opposition party | Conservative Party |
| Opposition leader |
Sir Alec Douglas-Home (1964–65) Edward Heath (1965–70) |
| History | |
| Election(s) |
1964 general election 1966 general election |
| Outgoing election | 1970 general election |
| Predecessor | Douglas-Home ministry |
| Successor | Heath ministry |
Harold Wilson became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on 16 October 1964, and formed the First Wilson ministry which held office between 1964 and 1970. For Wilson's second ministry, see Labour government 1974–79.
The Labour Party won the 1964 general election by a majority of four seats. The Profumo affair had seriously damaged the previous Conservative government, meaning Alec Douglas-Home's Premiership lasted only 363 days. Wilson's tiny majority led to impotency during this Parliament, and in 1966 another election was called, leading to a majority of 96 and the continuation of the Wilson government.
A number of liberalising social reforms were passed through parliament during Wilson's first period in government. These included the near abolition of capital punishment, decriminalisation of sex between men in private, liberalisation of abortion law and the abolition of theatre censorship. The Divorce Reform Act 1969 was passed by Parliament (and came into effect in 1971). Such reforms were mostly via private member's bills on 'free votes' in line with established convention, but the large Labour majority after 1966 was undoubtedly more open to such changes than previous parliaments had been.
Wilson came culturally from a provincial non-conformist background, and he showed no particular enthusiasm for much of this agenda (which some linked to the "permissive society"), but the reforming climate was especially encouraged by Roy Jenkins during his period at the Home Office. The franchise was also extended with the reduction of the voting age from twenty-one to eighteen in 1969.
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