MacDonald, Baldwin & Chamberlain as Prime Ministers (Britain 1900-1951 Period Study 1918-51)

Leadership Style of Ramsay MacDonald

• Very involved in foreign policy
  • Strong supporter of the League of Nations
  • Took a leading role in giving India greater self-government & dominion status
• Persued peaceful foreign policy.
  • Continued support for the LoN and collective security.
  • No denial of India policy
• Wanted to reduce the influence of the socialist left
  • Wanted the left's influence to be more thsan just the trade unions
• Labour economic policies continued.
  • Development of rationalisation and planned production.
  • Did not undertake an arm race with Germany that the right wing wanted
• A moderate middle ground betweern left and right.
  • Didn't concede to far left - wanted to reduce its influence.
  • Didn't want the trade unions to dominate the left wing influence.
  • Did not concede to right wing policies, such as imperialism & an arms race with Germany.

His style of leadership was seen as controversial.

• Lost support of ally Snowden & protection of cheap food for workers in 1931.
  • When Conservatives forced in October & abandoned free trade.
• MacDonald did not compromise his earlier policies but he was isolated from his party
• Had an image of being controlled by the upper classes and Baldwin.
  • Betraying his own party
• Conservative policies were largely agreed to be moderate in the early 1930
• Defeated and humiliated in 1935 election by a Labour left winger.
• He was a sad and outdated figure.
  • Portrayed as a turncoat (someone who betrays one party for another).
  • Now seen as an important founder and leader of the Labour Party.
  • Seens as holding the country together in difficult economic times 

Baldwin's Style of Leadership

• Moved the Conservatives away from its extreme elements
• He regained his dominance by August 1931.
• Coalition gave him chance to work with moderate Liberals, Tories and Labour
• Was a major influence in gov before 1935 and as leader from 1935-7
• Calculated the nation’s mood winning the 1935 election.
  • Promised not to make big arms increases
  • But began rearming when he won.
  • Insisted on the need for collective security and the League
  • Wanted a naval agreement with Germany  

His image as a leader

• Promote himself an image as a figure of solid reassurance  
• Lots of internal criticism following failure to win 1929 election.
• Criticised in Daily Express and Daily Mail.
  • Conservative newspapers.
• Told by Chamberlain he had lost the confidence of the party and should step down.

Chamberlain's Leadeship Style...

• Believed in shuttle diplomacy.
  • Persuading dictators into sustainable agreements.
  • Foreshadowed Churchill's diplomatic style.
  • Had strong confidence in his personal diplomacy and ability to persuade dictators.
• Greatest contribution was his personal diplomacy
  • Strong view on foreign and defence policy 
  • Based on analys of the situation, uninfuelnced by emotion.
• Distinct policy of meeting Germany's grievances - appeasment
  • When Britain failed to meet defence committments in 1937.
  • Failed to defend Far East against Japan; the Meditteranian against Italy; the Empire; and Germany's threats to overturn the Treaty of Versailles.
• Most modern of all 3 leaders.
• Carefully cultivated links with the press
  • To ensure PM’s point of view was communicated
• Not as dynamic of a leader.
  • Lacked Macdonald’s talent for public speaking
  • Lacked Baldwin’s warm image.

• Had ministerial experience before taking office.
  • Came from a well-known political family
• More dominant personality.
  • Ice cold logic made him impatient of opposition in the Cabinet and party

How Were Their Leadership Styles Similar?

• Peaceful foreign policy.
  • MacDonald known as a peaceful foreign policy pioneer.
  • Chamberlain's shuttle diplomacy.
  • Baldwin promises limited rearmerment.
    • However, went back on this when he won election and rearmed.
  • Baldwin wanted naval agreement with Germany for peace.
• Desire for collective security.
  • Both MacDonald & Baldwin.
  • Both MacDonald & Baldwin were supporters of the League of Nations.
• Negotiations with hostile Germany to prevent conflict- a degree of Appeasment
  • Chamberlain's shuttle diplomacy.
    • Distinct policy of meeting Germany's grievances whilst building Britain's defences.
  • Baldwin wanted naval agreement with Germany
• Moderacy and a move away from party extremes
  • MacDonald and Baldwin.
    
    • MacDonald wanted to reduce influence of the far let & socialism.
    • Baldwin wanted to move the Conservatives away from there extreme elements.

Leadership styles were controversial & they were seen as party traitors/turncoats.

• MacDonald loses support of Labour, Snowden & trade unions.
• Baldwin is told by Chamberlian he has lost support of the Conservatives and should step down as leader.

Overall more smilar than different.