Affluent Society: Politics

Question 1

What evidence is there for Conservative strengths as a government/leadership?

Answer 1

• Churchill factor 1951-55
• Lord Woolton’s reorganisation of party campaigning early 1950s
• effective transition of power between leaders (no divisive democratic election or campaigns) eg Macmillan especially with Jan 1957 cabinet speech “learning the lessons of Suez”
• manipulation of financial policy through gov budgets eg 1959 chancellor (Derick Heathcote-Armory) introduced tax cuts but there was subsequent inflation after victory

Question 2

What evidence is there for the strength of Conservatives through policy?

Answer 2

• denationalised steel industry
• Conservatives pulled troops out of Korea as it ended 1953; war Labour had committed Britain to fighting
• rationing ended by 1954
• investment in housebuilding which led to 1.7mill homes between 1951-64
• followed Keynesian policies which focused on full employment and commitment to welfare state; reversed previous opposition to NHS
• developed atomic bomb 1952 and maintained policy of investing in strong conventional defence
• “Butskellism” effectiveness

Question 3

What evidence is there for Conservative strengths through adapting, liberal policy?

Answer 3

• Homicide act of 1957 ended death penalty for many “degrees” of murder
• Butler adopted liberal approach to domestic and legal policy from 1957 under Macmillan eg 1961 Licensing Act enabled drinking in restaurants and hotels and 1961 Gaming and Betting act made these legal

Question 4

What labour weaknesses stopped them winning elections through the 1950s?

Answer 4

• old, tired campaigners who had key roles since the wartime eg Attlee, Morrison and Cripps and Bevin who died 1951
• Bevanite split which was deepened by 1955 due to Bevan’s opposition to Labour on the H-bomb damaging election campaign
• divided over Europe, unilateralism and extent of socialism and nationalisation in the 1959 campaign
• failed to capitalise post-Suez due to rushed policy on increasing state pensions through raising tax; economically viable?
• (post 1959) pro-Gaitskellite campaign for democratic socialism (CDS) angered radical Bevanites. Gaitskell defeated at party conference 1960 when unilateralists used bloc TU vote to force party to adopt unilateralist policy

Question 5

What evidence is there that chance/wider factors ensured Conservative victory?

Answer 5

• first past the post system (2% harder for Labour to win seats)
• Marshall plan led to increased demand for UK products early 1950s; Conservative’s had power when economy was booming
• deflationary policies Labour had followed led to reduction in costs of UK goods and a subsequent increase in UK exports. Rise in wages and increase in average standard of living. Boom occurred after 1951
• boom included availability of HP, increased car ownership (1.5-5.5mill) and house (25-44% 1939-64), holidays (60,000 with Butlins, but only 2% foreign)
• accession of Elizabeth II in 1953 appealed to tradition that tended to favour Conservatives

Question 6

How did Conservatives win the 1951 election due to their own strengths?

Answer 6

1. promised to uphold liberty and individualism
2. promised to build 300,000 houses annually
3. denationalisation of steel + end to rationing
4. Lord Woolton’s improved constituency organisation
5. Youthful MPs eg Reginald Maulding
6. targeted liberal vote eg 2 mill and 80% ex-liberals

Question 7

How did Labour weakness affect the 1951 election?

Answer 7

1. Attlee’s timing as disappointed by 1950 of 315 seats vs 298
2. resentment from TUs eg didn’t join European Coal and Steel Community 1951
3. ministers resigned eg chancellor of exchequer Stafford Cripps
4. 1947 Indian Independence led to mass sectarian killings
5. Bevanite quarrell

Question 8

How did luck/chance impact the 1951 election?

Answer 8

1. loss of Ernest Bevin
2. anti-labour propaganda in the press
3. liberals only 109 candidates vs 336 in 1950
4. 1st past the post system 1948 and representation of the people act

Question 9

What affected the outcome of the 1955 election through Conservative strength?

Answer 9

1. “Butskellism”
2. stop-go policies eg £134 mill of tax cuts
3. Keynesian economic policy
4. rationing ended 1954
5. TV prominent and Eden telegenic vs 72yr old Attlee

Question 10

What affected the outcome of the 1955 election through Labour weakness?

Answer 10

1. Bevanite split: 1955 H-bomb and in March Bevan led a revolt of 57 Labour MPs over issue and abstained on key vote
2. unclear election message as a result

Question 11

What affected the outcome of the 1955 election through other factors/chance?

Answer 11

1. post war recovery and Marshall aid
2. coronation of Queen Elizabeth II 1953
3. poor show of liberal party: only slightly improving popular vote and winning again 6 seats. Led to resignation of leader Clement Davies and replacement Jo Grimond.

Question 12

What affected the outcome of the 1959 election through Conservative strength?

Answer 12

1. swift replacement of Eden after Suez
2. Macmillan’s moderate, telegenic nature and high personal approval ratings and empathy to working class issues representing constituency in Northern England (Stockton-on-Tees) which had experienced large scale unemployment and poverty
3. economic upturn from 1958 and tax cutting budget 1959 eg £370 mill of tax cuts
4. effective campaigning eg “Life is better with the Conservatives, don’t let Labour ruin it” and Macmillan’s remark “never had it so good”
5. Butler’s social reforms

Question 13

What affected the outcome of the 1959 election through Labour weakness?

Answer 13

1. Gaitskell’s statement Labour would not raise tax if they came to power contradicted Labour manifesto pledge to increase spending, especially on pensions. Led to voters doubt.
2. Bevanite split still an issue