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| 1974, March 4 |
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| Prime Minister Heath failed to form a coalition government with the Liberal Party, leaving Labour Party leader Harold Wilson to form the nation's first minority cabinet in 45 years. | 1 |
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| May 29 |
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| Following the collapse of the Protestant-Catholic coalition, the British government resumed direct rule in Northern Ireland. Violence continued, despite the arrival of more British forces. | 2 |
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| Oct |
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| In general parliamentary elections, Labour won 319 seats, Conservatives 277, Liberals 13, and others 26. | 3 |
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| Nov. 29 |
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| The House of Commons approved emergency legislation to outlaw the IRA and to give police absolute powers of arrest and detention as well as stricter control over travel between England and Ireland. | 4 |
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