Chapter 1- Conservative governments Flashcards
what were the 1951 election results
tories- 48%. 321 seats
labour-48.8%. 295 seats
why did the conservatives win the 1951 election despite having less votes than labour
first past the post electoral system
why was Churchill a very absent PM
suffered a serious stroke in 1953
who ran the government in Churchill’s absence
acting PM, Anthony Eden
R.A Butler- chancellor of the exchequer
Harold Macmillan- minister of housing
why were their tensions in Churchill’s government
Butler, Macmillan and Eden did not get on well
tensions between Eden and Churchill as eden became impatient over when Churchill would resign
what were the results of the 1955 election
conservatives- 49.3%. 345 seats
labour- 46.4%. 277 seats
why did Eden have a lack of economic knowledge
had only previously worked in foreign relations
what was a demonstration of his economic and leadership weakness in October 1955
tried to move macmillan from foreign office to the treasury
macmillan did not want to and delayed the move until December
what were the effects of the Suez crisis on Eden
colonial minister Anthony Nutting resigned
rebellion by nearly 40 tory MPs
Edward Heath was strongly against Eden
what did the Suez crisis expose
Britain’s financial weakness due to pressure from USA
when did Macmillan take over from Eden
1956
what was macmillan known as by 1959
‘Supermac’
what were the 1959 election results
conservative- 48.8%. 365 seats
labour- 44.6%. 258 seats
what were the key elements of post war consensus
a belief in a mixed economy
support for NHS and welfare state
ensure full employment
work with trade unions and employers
what reforms did Churchill make to housing
promised in 1951 manifesto to build 300,000 houses a year. this was completed and Macmillan oversaw this as housing minister
what approach did the conservatives take towards education
stuck to tripartite system passed by the Butler act of 1944
grammar schools, technical schools, secondary modern schools
what was the clean air act 1956
combatted the smog building in big cities
what was the housing and factory acts of 1956
improved living and working conditions
what was the homicide act of 1957
restricted when the death penalty could be used
what did the Wolfenden commission suggest in 1957
homosexuality should no longer be a crime
what was the main reason for labour divisions in the 50’s
after Attlee stepped down as leader Bevan (left) and Gaitskell (right) both went for the party leadership- Gaitskell won
what lost the labour voters in 1957
many labour left wingers joined the CND
who was frank cousins and what did he do
a left-winger who became leader of the transport and general workers union in 1956.
at labour conference in 1960 he voiced bitter opposition to gaitskell and especially his policy towards nuclear weapons
what did Gaitskel want to abolish in 1959 and what was the result of this
clause IV
faced opposition and had to back down from putting it to vote in 1960
what ddi Britain attempt to join in 1961 and what was the result of this
EEC
application rejected in 1963
what happened in July 1962
the night of long knives
what was the night of long knives
macmillan reshuffled his cabinet- sacking roughly a third of his ministers
process was rushed due to R.A Butler leaking it to the press
what are examples of spy scandals in the early 60’s
George Blake found to be soviet double agent in 1961
civil servant John Vassal blackmailed to pass info to soviet union due to homosexuality in 1962
Profumo affair1963
what was the Profumo affair
secretary state of war John Profumo lied to governement about his actions.
he had had an affair with Christine Keeler who had also had an affair with a soviet minister
why did postal votes play a part in the tories winning the 1951 election
postal votes favoured the tories 10-1
why were the tories a much ‘fresher’ party by 1951
class of ‘50
what left gaps in the Labour Party in the run up to 1951 election
Ernest Bevan and Stanley Cripps sudden resignations
what was the impact of the knight of long knives
50 junior ministers sacked
7 cabinet ministers sacked including chancellor Welwyn Lloyd
