Election
The RPI shows that food prices had risen by 20 percent over the last year. Labour 301, Conservatives 296 & others 37
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1974 in Great Britain — Page 2
Explore 397 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1974.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1974
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 397 unique records.
397Unique records
2 of 10Page
33Named events on this page
24Named people on this page
4Places on this page
February
General Election Intervention
Powell urges Birmingham voters to support Labour because of its European Community policy.
Member of Parliament
Elected Member of Parliament for Eastbourne
Minister of Energy
Appointed Secretary of State for Energy
Referendum Pledge
Promises a referendum after renegotiating European Community membership.
Retirement
Retires from the House of Commons
Strike
The elections main issues are the miners strike & "who governs Britain". An error is reported in the NCBs claim miners earn +8% national average, it is -8%
Who Governs Britain Campaign
Calls a general election asking voters who governs Britain amid union confrontation.
March
Election
Attempts unsuccessfully to form a coaltion with the Liberals
Election
Refuses to join a co-altion with the Conservatives & the Labour Party comes to power
Shadow Cabinet Appointment
Becomes a Conservative Shadow Secretary of State following the party's move into opposition after the February 1974 election.
Doyle Captains City Wembley Side
Doyle captains Manchester City under Saunders against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup final.
Lee Scores in City League Cup Final
Francis Lee equalises for Manchester City against Wolves in the 1974 League Cup final before City lose 2–1.
Manchester City League Cup Runner-Up
Saunders manages Manchester City in the League Cup final against Wolves, who win 2–1 at Wembley.
Summerbee City League Cup Final Wing Play
Summerbee brings attacking width as Saunders's Manchester City narrowly lose the League Cup final against Wolves.
Election
No Party wins an election majority & negotiations with the Liberals break down
Prime Minister of United Kingdom
Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 3rd term
Resignation as Prime Minister
Resigns as Prime Minister after coalition talks fail and Labour forms a minority government.
Resignation of Edward Richard George Heath
No Party wins an election majority & negotiations with the Liberals break down. Coalition negotiations with leaders of the Liberal Party fail & Heath resigns as Prime Minister & is replaced by Harold Wilson & a minority Labour Government
Social Contract
Wilson forms a Labour government committed to a Social Contract with the trade unions.
Social Contract
Returns to office promising a different relationship with organised labour.
Cabinet
Enters Harold Wilson's cabinet as Secretary of State for Employment.
Cabinet Return
Returns to the Home Office when Labour forms a minority government.
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Healey is appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1st term.
Chief Secretary
Appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury, most powerful position outside the Cabinet
Foreign Secretary of Great Britain
Appointed Foreign Minister
Home Secretary of Great Britain
Appointed Home Secretary, 2nd term
Minister of Trade & Industry
Appointed Minister of Trade & Industry
Parliamentary Under Secretary
Appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary
Pay Policy
Takes responsibility for employment policy as Labour seeks voluntary wage restraint.
Pay Policy
Healey becomes Chancellor as inflation and wage pressure dominate economic policy.
Prices & Consumer Protection
Appointed Secretary of State for Prices & Consumer Protection
Second Home Office Term
Begins his second period as Home Secretary in Harold Wilson's government.
Secretary of State
Appointed Secretary of State for Trade & Industry
Secretary of State
Appointed Secretary of State for Prices & Consumer Protection
Secretary of State for Employment
Appointed Employment Secretary
Secretary of State for Health
Appointed Minister of Health & Social Security
Secretary of State for Social Services
Appointed Secretary of State for Social Services
Secretary of State for the Environment
Appointed Minister of the Environment
Social Contract
Begins implementing Labour's industrial relations programme with trade union support.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.