The map above shows the results of the 1966 UK General Election. The number of seats won out of 630 by the major parties (and % vote share) were as follows:
Labour: 364. Leader and Prime Minister: Harold Wilson
Conservatives: 253. Leader: Edward Heath
Liberal: 12. Leader: Jo Grimond
Notable things about the 1966 election include:
- Wilson called the election as Labour’s majority was down to just two, and needed something bigger to govern.
- Wilson’s success wouldn’t last: In 1967, he was forced to devalue the pound, and France vetoed British entry into the European Economic Community (the organisation that would eventually become the EU).
- Heath had only been Conservative leader for 8 months when the election was called, so was largely unknown by voters.
- The election severely hurt the Liberal’s finances, as it was the second election for such a small party in just two years.
Other UK Elections:
Find this map interesting? Then please share.