21.2 + 21.4 Domestic policies + Consensus politics

Question 1

How did the Conservative party under Macmillan accept consensus politics? (6)

Answer 1

• Continued with Labours mixed economy
• Co-operated with the TU’s which had become a lot more powerful as a result of the war
• Agreed that there was a need for government intervention in social and economic changes
• Supported the NHS and welfare state. (It would have been difficult to oppose due to its immense popularity) despite increasing prescription charges to 2 shillings
• Housing. The even extended it to 300k /pa vs Labour’s 200k. They were of a lower quality however but met targets
• Ian Macloed Minister of Health did not change any of Labour’s welfare reforms

Question 2

How did the Conservative party under Macmillan NOT accept consensus politics? (6)

Answer 2

• Conservatives were quick to end transport and steel nationalisation in 1951 (but this is understandable given steel had been a profitable industry)
• Wanted full employment – not agreeing but protecting their own reputation from the 1930’s

Conservatives introduced their own policy changes

• Education, tripartite system became two (lack of funding and falling behind other industrialised countries)
• Clean air act 1956
• Legalisation of homosexuality after 1957 Wolfenden Commission
• Limited death penalty in 1957

(Though surely the latter may have been dealt with by Labour they were not priorities)

Question 3

Overall, did the Conservative party under Macmillan use consensus politics through domestic policies?

Answer 3

Largely there was a consensus but added some of their own policies to retain positive image and reject prior mistake