Conservative govts and reasons for political dominance 1951-57
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- Created on: 15-06-17 19:15
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- Conservative govts and reasons for political dominance
- 1953 a new Elizabethan Age was approaching with the Queen's coronation on national TV. This helped Conservatives win in 1955 due to the 'Feel good factor'.
- Churchill as PM
- Gained reputation for winning the war; but he was not seen as a post-war time leader. This made Anthony Eden look right for the role as he was more present for Britain during the war than Churchill.
- Churchill was known as an absentee PM. He was old (80 yrs) and had poor health (suffered a stroke in 1953 leaving his speech impaired). This was not widely known at first but then it was publicised by his physician.
- Churchill's absence was not just to do with health but also due to his interest in foreign affairs. He saw himself as an international statesman and spent a lot of time on holiday spots like Marrakesh, rather than Downing street.
- Day to day governing left to Eden, Butler and Macmillan, but he still wielded power because of his prestige.
- There were tensions within the party between Butler and Macmillan, and Eden was seen as their heir to Churchill. However Churchill took time to step down as he was not confident in Eden's ability.
- Gained reputation for winning the war; but he was not seen as a post-war time leader. This made Anthony Eden look right for the role as he was more present for Britain during the war than Churchill.
- Eden as PM
- Eden took power in 1955 and there were high hopes. He decided to call an early election (3 days after Butler's popular April budget) and it helped increase majority from 17 to 60.
- He was seen as not experienced in domestic affairs, due to specialising in foreign. He was anxious about making decisions and would often interfere in the work of cabinet ministers. His situation was not helped by cuts on the April Budget.
- Suez crisis
- 1956 Colonel Nasser wanted to make Egypt independent so he nationalised the Suez canal which was a vital trade route for Britain. Eden still believed in imperial power and most of his cabinet agreed that action should be taken without diplomacy.
- France and Israel encouraged Britain to attack as they wanted Suez too. Secret plans were made to take over Suez by the three nations, but when Eisenhower found out he was angered. Eden still proceeded anyway and told the HoC that he did not know about the Israeli attacks.
- The war was becoming too costly and Macmillan realised withdrawal was needed even if it was accepting failure. Eden's reputation was tarnished and there was a rebellion of 40 MP's within the party causing a split. Eden stepped down in 1957 over ill-health.
- France and Israel encouraged Britain to attack as they wanted Suez too. Secret plans were made to take over Suez by the three nations, but when Eisenhower found out he was angered. Eden still proceeded anyway and told the HoC that he did not know about the Israeli attacks.
- 1956 Colonel Nasser wanted to make Egypt independent so he nationalised the Suez canal which was a vital trade route for Britain. Eden still believed in imperial power and most of his cabinet agreed that action should be taken without diplomacy.
- Macmillan as PM
- Macmillan vs Butler: Butler was not as popular especially due to the tax cuts he had to reverse after the 1955 election. Also Macmillan was seen as the safe option and he disagreed with things like appeasement and the dealing of 1929; whilst Butler was heavily involved with appeasement.
- Macmillan's views were shaped by two wars; and he actually had quite radical social views. He nearly joined the Labour party in the 1930's; at this point in time he was known as a one-nation Conservative.
- Splits were abolished under him and there was economic recovery. He was seen to be very comfortable and in 1959 called an election extending their majority to 100 seats. He was seen as dominant (with the Labour weaknesses) and used media effectively
- Domestic policies
- The cons agreed to post-war consensus politics as they had to accept some of the Labour reforms that existed.
- Housing: 1951 to build 300k houses a year to help abolish slums and this meant being better than Labour in this area. However houses were only built to a lower standard to of Bevan's time.
- Social services: welfare reforms left intact and social benefits rose slightly. There was no intention to cut NHS, but costs were rising forcing prescriptions to rise to 2s.
- Education: Tripartite system of schools established. However financial restraints meant most schools were grammar or secondary. By 1960's this was questioned if it was fair. Other countries were becoming more advanced too.
- Other social reforms: Clean Air act 1956 ( remove smog), Housing and Factory acts (improved working and living conditions), Homicide act 1957 (restricted use of death penalty) and 1957 Wolfdenden Commission made homosexual behaviour not a crime.
- Internal Labour divisions
- They narrowly lost the 1951 election and got the most votes they ever got (14mn). They were confident they would rise to power again. But divisions made this difficult.
- Both Gaitskell (right) and Bevan (left) stood for leader after Asquith, and Gaitskell ended up winning causing bitterness. Bevan resigns due to split.
- Gaitskell (right wing) wanted to revive Clause IV, but left wingers wanted to be more socialist. Also there was growing opposition from trade unions and further splits due to nuclear disarmament.
- Consensus politics
- After Labour govt of 1945-51, there were key policies which the Conservative party agreed with (mainly a mixed economy) so apart from denationalising the steel and road transport in 1951, everything else remained very similar.
- There was the agreement that govt intervention was needed for social and economic policies; Full employment; support for NHS and welfare reforms (many Cons became less hostile to them); and cooperation with trade unions.
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