Talk:Harold Wilson

Please explain his titles (here)!

The piece on Wilson and his titles has no doubt been worked on by someone who understands the arcane operation of UK forms of address far better than I do. Still, I'd like to know why -- according to this account -- it only became appropriate to address him with PC (Privy Council) after his name at the time he received his peerage. UK politicians are typically "sworn of the Privy Council" at the time they enter the Cabinet. Help, please, Miss Manners! Nandt1 (talk) 02:32, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

In very quick terms, barons, viscounts and earls are automatically Right Honourable, so if they are also members of the Privy Council they are giving a suffix of PC to distinguish them from barons, viscounts and earls who are not members of the Privy Council. And incidentally, it is not strictly true about being sworn when they enter cabinet, there are a number of exceptions Whitstable 02:37, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

Partial reversion on introductory treatment of Wilson's approach to socialism

Another user recently made changes to the introductory section on Wilson's brand of socialism. I accept that some of these changes were a marked improvement, as they removed an earlier speculative section ("suggesting" Wilson's attitude to traditional left wing approaches). This change is to be applauded. However, I propose that the additional changes -- which almost entirely focused attention on the "social reform" area of the Wilson governments' record, at the expense of his goals on opportunity, technology and growth -- create a confusion and imbalance between what Wilson himself set out to do and what a certain part of his administration (the Home Office largely under Jenkins) undertook. If one reads Wilson's own speeches, e.g., from the 1964 campaign, his own area of focus seems clear. I recognize that the same reader has asked for citation(s) to back up the article's claim that Wilson personally had little interest in the Jenkins agenda. While I think this is well known, I accept the challenge, and will just need a little more time to find suitable quotes to support this point. Nandt1 (talk) 15:19, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

The citation requested has now been supplied. Nandt1 (talk) 22:22, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

Giving a little more thought to how to deal with the issues raised, I am now proposing a new reference to the social legislation in the introduction, but separated from the discussion on Wilson's approach to socialism. The larger significance of the "socialism" discussion, that we should try not to lose here, is that attitudes to public ownership have represented a central fissure within the Labour Party almost ever since the Attlee government lost office. Thus Gaitskell tried but failed to change Clause Four of the constitution, opposed by Bevan; much later Foot re-emphasized the left's traditional values; more recently, Blair actually changed the Party's constitution. Where does Wilson fit into this story? This article argues that he basically fudged the issue -- neither changing the letter of the constitution, nor doing very much to put it into practise. Nandt1 (talk) 19:40, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

In this context is the response of Attlee, who was presented with a shopping list of demands by Harold Laski (Labour Party Chairman), when Labour had won the 1945 election - supposedly he said words to the effect of "a period of silence from you would be appreciated" (Attlee was one of the politicians noted for taciturnity). Many of the Labour Party "socialists" felt that, notwithstanding the policy of public ownership and the setting up of the NHS, the Attlee government did not do as much as it could have done to advance the "socialist" agenda. Guy (talk) 15:34, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

Section on "Reputation": Cuts and Weasel Word Label

The section on Wilson's reputation -- which has survived for some time -- attempts to provide a balanced account of the competing views, and to place his administration into the historical context of the intellectual climate of its time. Another user has now made heavy cuts to the section, accusing it of "polemic" and "weasel words" but without supplying any specifics in this discussion section. I have attempted to revert the text selectively, making changes where it seemed that the earlier language might touch a nerve. I would, at this stage, make a request for a collegial approach which seeks to preserve discussion that embodies serious intellectual content, while being ready to collaborate and compromise over any specific language that might be thought by some to fall short of balance. Nandt1 (talk) 22:00, 7 August 2008 (UTC)

Near Parallel dates with Edward Heath

• Wilson b.11 March 1916-d.24 May 1995
• Heath b.9 July 1916-d.17 July 2005 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.53.145.139 (talk) 01:50, 29 September 2008 (UTC)

What does this mean?

From the lead paragraph:

He emerged as Prime Minister after more general elections than any other 20th century premier.

I have no idea what that means. Is it a mistake, or am I missing something? Loganberry (Talk) 15:05, 4 December 2008 (UTC)

It's trying to say that he "won" four general elections whilst acknowledging that for one of them it's a little tricky to allocate a winner and follow his claim to have "become Prime Minister four times, the only person since Gladstone", on the dubious basis of counting a re-election as a becoming separately (and ignoring Baldwin who fits on this logic). Timrollpickering (talk) 15:28, 4 December 2008 (UTC)

Vietnam

Mr Wilsons' position on Vietnam was made in his statement that; 'Britain would continue to suppot the United States in principle so long as we remain convinced, and we are convinced, that the Americans are serious in their negotiations for peace'.Johnwrd (talk) 22:03, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Basics

This article continues to have extensive unsourced material, including direct quotations and statements of opinion, more than 18 months after someone flagged it. Clearly, the author is not going to fix it, so the material should be removed. Wikipedia's flagging is an empty threat.76.23.157.102 (talk) 07:15, 24 July 2009 (UTC)