Changing Political Enviroment- 45-78

Question 1

Post war consensus

Answer 1

Continuation of centralised economic planning

Continuation of welfare state including NHS

Continuation of Britain and a major player in the global economy

Goal of full employment and equal opportunities

Question 2

Labour government 45-51

Answer 2

landslide victory with Clement Attlee as PM

Nationalised industries such as railways, shipbuilding, coal mining

Introduced welfare state following the 1942 Beveridge report inc national health service in 1948

Cost of the war- continued austerity including rationing= unpopular

Question 3

Conservative government 1951-64

Answer 3

Won three elections between 1951-64 in part due to widespread economic prosperity

Losing global credibility:

1) Britain suffered humiliation in suez crisis
2) Balance of payments in deficit- pressure on the value of sterling
3) economic growth below that of European counterparts

Growing industrial disputes

Question 4

Suez 1956

Answer 4

Eygyptian ruler nationalised Suez Canal owned by French and British shareholders

France and Britain invaded

America saw this as example of imperialism and opposed

Britain forced to with draw due to pressure from America

Question 5

Labour government 1964-70

Economic failures

Answer 5

Continuing balance of payment deficit= forced to devalue sterling by 14% (1967)

Repeated failure in attempting to solve industrial dispute

Question 6

Labour government 1964-70

Social success

Answer 6

Comprehensive education saw substantial growth

Abortion and homosexuality legalised in 1967

Death penalty abolished 1969

Question 7

Conservative Government 1970-74

Answer 7

Committed to less state involvement- although continued post war consensus

Problems of industrial unrest=three day week 1973-4

Question 8

Labour government 1974-9

Answer 8

Stagflation and industrial problems continued/ grew

Winter of discontent

79= end of post war consensus