Chapter 4 - Conservative Domination Flashcards
Why did the Conservatives win the 1951?
How important were Labour weaknesses?
How important were Conservative strengths?
How important was the electoral system?
Labours vote was highest polled by a party in British politics
Despite some achievements, Labour wasnt strong as it had been in early years of office. Difficulties dealing with post war economic/finanical problems exhausted many in the cabinet. Associated with austerity, rationing and high taxation which public wanted ended. Taken UK into Korean War 1950 adding financial strains and party divided. Imposed charges on dental treatment, prescriptions and glasses which under minded principle of NHS. Concerns over foreign and economic policy widened gap between the left and right of the party
Conservatives - Lord Woolton work reformed party finances and local organisation so party was in stronger position than Labour. Aided by influx of young talented politicians who had new ideas and dynamism. Labour nationalisation of the iron/steel industry provided contentious issue which party could challenge. Promise of 300,000 homes a year due to housing shortage overseeing Labour average of over 200,000 and give people more red meat. Fully committed to welfare state, Tories would consolidate - Churchill was still a popular, war hero figure
Electoral system - Labour polled over 200,000 more votes but won 26 less seats. Conservatives won many marginal Labour seats, boundary changes meant Labour had to win 2% more popular vote because redistirbution of seats in some of their seats becoming marginals. Liberal party fell to 730,556 votes from 2.6 million - Liberal voted Conservatives
Why were Conservatives able to dominate British politics for so long? Economy - wages/living standards - credit - housing - economic policy - unemployment - impact of policies
Economy - one of economic growth rise in living standards. Low level of industrial output after war some industrial growth inevitable. Increase in trade after Korean War, countries more money to spend of goods rather than defence policy. Although growth rate not as impressive as Germany and Italy - Britain 2.3% while Germany 5.1% and Italy 5.6%. Britains share of world trade shrank to 15% - decline due to defence expenditure amounted to 10% of its GDP. High cost maintaining military bases and independent nuclear arms programme meant 34.5% funds spent of defence instead of research for industrial growth. Failed to modernise staple and traditional industry and prioritising investment overseas and maintain strong sterling area - why despite failures was it never had it so good/life is better under the Conservatives
Wages/Living Standards - Wages rose faster than prices so people able to buy more with money they earned. In 1951 average weekly wage was £8.30 but by 1964 it rose to £18.35. Chancellors able to cut income tax before both 1955 and 1959 elections reducing it by equivalent 2.5p in 1955 and 3.75p in 1959, helped to increase amount of money people had availed to spend - improve feel good factor. 500% rise in car ownership, TV ownership rose to 91% of population, purchase of labour saving goods rose, signs austerity was over.
Credit - Greater availability of credit - people able to borrow money and make small monthly repayments so can purchase items once thought to be out of reach. Consumer boom began and go on foreign holidays
Housing - improvements to living standards - promise to build 300,000 mostly reached 354,000 in 1954, building 1.7 million in office. 1957 Rent Act abolished rent controls so more houses available to rent - tenants much harder to afford although. Number of people owning property rose to 44% in 1964 compared to 25% before WW2
Economic Policy - Chancellor Butler increased borrowing allowed government expenditure on health, education, housing to rise. Welfare State increased spending and amount of GDP spent on it rose from 16.1% to 19.3% in 1964. Term Butskellism used as similar to Gaitskell from Right of Labour. Continued under Macmillan leadership avoiding high inflation or deflation using interest rates and import controls to manage economy. Suggestions Britain didn’t have economic policy but followed stop go approach responding to economic demands. Period described as stagflation where industrial output declined, inflation remained with performance not as strong. Industries like aircraft, cars, chemicals expanding, production costs high so making goods expensive and uncompetitive. Government did introduce policies around credit/housing improving living standards.
Unemployment - Macmillan unaware of problems in economy: inflation and unemployment. Conservatives continued fall employment pledge but some years unemployment did fall and sometimes it rose. Overall trend showed upwards and never below 250,000.
Impact - Living standards did rise but argued success built on government borrowing and consumer credit which was economically dangerous. Argued government used tax adjustments in budgets just before elections to win votes while stop go policy prevented emergence of coherent policy designed to bring long term economic growth
How important was Conservative social policy? Look at the factors and impact
Increased spending on welfare and building more houses and introducing changes to education system. Three tier secondary education system of grammar, technical and secondary modern schools served to reinforce class divisions. Many at local level disliked comprehensive system but party policy accepted it. Minister of Education pushed for abolition of the 11 plus and first pupose built comprehensive schools were constructed. More comprehensive schools ere opened in second half of twentieth century than under Labour; sign only Conservatie acceptance of change but also consensus between two main parties. Robbins Report attempted to take comprehensive principles into high education expanding unis and providing larger grants - 1963. Impact was education with over 6000 new schools and 11 unis built. Some liberal reforms carried out by Butler as Home Secretary by 1957 Homicide act greatly accelerated process which ended the death penalty. However seems limited compared to Labours achievements despite improvement of supply of housing
How important a factor was Conservative leadership in maintaining power? Churchill Eden Macmillan Douglas Home
Churchill - 1951 it was Butler who was driving force instead of Churchill. Churchill was 77 and appeared election victory was belated thank you for WW2 victory. Little evidence to suggest he was more than figurehead as he was frail and sustained in power by his reputation. 1953 had a stroke and absent for some tie - Butler provided ideas and subsequent administrations. Involved in production of 1947 industrial charter accepted principle of mixed economy of private and state sign of change. 1944 Education Act indicated he was concerned with social issues. So it was Butler rather than Churchill who was responsible for modernising party. Eden - Eden replaced Churchill in 1955 and called an election resulting in increased majority due to personal appeal among women voters but due to work of Butler. Administration was short lived. Suez Crisis on 1956. Eden was foreign secretary with press criticising lacklustre domestic policy, determined to achieved success abroad. Misjudged the mood of the people and criticised by Labour for mad venture. Edens decision to withdraw was seen as lack of political will. UN/USA condemned the actions. Country no longer major power. Stood down as PM due to ill health and some truth but own standing had been undermined. Macmillan - Led from 1957 to 1963 which he won 1959 election with majority to 100 despite Suez affair. Personal appeal to electorate played crucial role. Appearances of TV won much support and despite satirists mocking him as super Mac, able to turn image to his advantage with famous Never had it so good comments. Not all success attributed to Macmillan. Butler as Home Secretary which Homicide Act gave party changing its traditional and often reactionary attitudes. By 1961, balance of trade deficit was evidence of downturn in economy as country was importing more than it was exporting. 196 unemployment weeks rising and number of days lost to strikes increasing. Macmillan reshuffled cabinet in 1962 - sacked 7 cabinet ministers and nine other ministers known as Night of the Long Knives. Didn't have desired impact and opinion polls were falling. Macmillan gained reputation as world class statesman through realisation of Empire dismantling despite protests from party. Made it clear in 1960 needed to recognise wind of change blowing through Africa an grant independence to those who wanted it. Developments of Cold War revealed UK not major power, French vetoed Conservative attempts to join EEC, government hit by scandals notably the Profumo Affair in 1963. I'll and announced intentions to resign Douglas Home - leadership appeared a contest between Hailsham and Butler but Macmillan didn't wish to see him succeed and advised Queen to invite Douglas Home to be PM. Brought power a man of aristocratic background who was perceived by many to be out of touch. Chosen by an old boy network including Etonians which resentment among party members who wouldn't serve under him. Douglas Home was affable and popular with some, faced revitalising Labour Party, youthful/dynamic leader Wilson. Unsurprising Labour won the election.
How weak was the Labour Party in the period 1951-60? Look at... Internal Disputes Socialism Nuclear Policy Attitudes to Europe 1959 Election
Lack of unity due to split between supporters of Gaitskell called Revisionists and Bevan known as Fundamentalists
Internal Disputes - Gaitskell talented politician and excellent speaker, couldn’t unite the party. Divided wanted to move further to left of right in British politics
Socialism - On left the Bevanites beloved welfare measures introduced between 1945 and 51 were first trip along road to truly socialist Britain. Argued more state control of economy and society and disagreed with moderate direction by Attlee and Gaitskell. Bevan published in 1952 in place of Fear arguing essential keep clear a before us that one of the central principles of socialism is substitution of public for private ownership. Left believed unions should have say in development of party policy. Conflicted with on the right who wanted policy by parliamentary party and not by unions. Party split over attitudes to social and economic reform/change. Crosland on the right argued emphasis on social equality rather than economic change as capitalism reformed/modified out of existence. Led to division over Cluase IV of Labour constitution about nationalisation. Left wanted commitment to Clause IV to secure workers by hand or brain the full fruits of their industry - ensure state greater control over industry, economy, society
Nuclear Policy - left of party wanted unilateral nuclear disarmament so money available for social reform while others on the left argued Britian should disarm so UK doesn’t fall to far behind in the arms race. Right of party opposed unilateralism at Conference 1957. Bevan was less radical and rejected unilateralism maintain independent nuclear deterrent. Opposed party’s approval of rearmament of Germany and inclusion in NATO which believed would alienate USSR> divisions were so great 1955 Bevan expelled from parliamentary party for challenging policy. 1960 Conference, Gaitskell defeated Bevan for leadership of party in 1955 and believed game him go head to take party to more centrist direction. Gaitskell argued left had weakened party with unilateralist views, unpopular. Left of party attacked labours nuclear policy and at conference forced unilateralist policy using the block vote of the unions allowing left wing leaders of unions to cast votes on behalf all members of their union despite majority were moderates. Within a year the policy was abandoned.
Attitudes to Europe - Attlee declared Labour opposed to joining EEC and 1962 stance continued with Gaitskell which gave party lack of appearance of modernisation and progression
1959 Election - Gaitskell on right of the party believed his victory in 1955 leadership gave him authority to lead party away from unilateralism which not popular with public. Labour stood chance of winning after Suez Crisis and governments budgetary policies unsound. Result was disaster for party as Tories increased majority to 100 and almost 50% of popular vote. Labour promised increase in state pensions without rise in taxes which questioned how it would it be funded. Government had reduced income tax which appeared to offer security and prosperity.
Why did Conservative support decline? Economy EEC Rejection Night of the Long Knives Scandals Social Problem - riots, youth sub-culture
Economy - defea in 1964 due to worsening economic situation. Balance of trade deficit and government tried to reduce it using pay pause and establish NEDC made up of representatives fro governments, trade unions, industrial managers and NIC to control incomes failed. Unemployment reached over 800,000 by end of 1963 and increase in number of days lost to strikes.
Britian lagging behind Europe which had faster rates of growth
EEC Rejection - Loss of Empire and Suez Crisis damaged Anglo-American relations, Charles de Gaulle serious reservations over Britians sincerity and commitment to EEC and rejected application
Night of the Long Knives - reshuffle of cabinet by Macmillan in 1962, declining economy/popularity led to by elections being lost to Liberals and Labour. Macmillan reshuffle was needed but saw third of cabinet replaced and known as Mac the Knife damaging unity of party and reputation
Scandals - 1962 - Vassall was civil servant in Admiralty spied of Soviet Union, rumours tried to protect him and although no evidence of cover up was found, created distrust. Kim Philby senior official at Forensic Office passed info to USSR and recurited spies for them. 1963 Duke of Argyll sued wife for divorce on grounds of adultery listed 88 names. Profumo scandal caused most problems Profumos liaison with Keeler was security risk due to links through prostitution to Russian embassy he dined it but became known he had met her at home of Stephen Ward an osteopath.
Scandals suggest evidence of cover ups, Philby Case government took blame for, Argyll divorce two government ministers on the list, Profumo raised national security risks, reflected badly on party and parliament raising questions on fitness of government to lead
Social problems - class barriers breaking down, education greater opportunities, creating of property owning democracy, working clas income exceeding lower middle class, increasing tensions government struggled to manage
Riots - race riots broke out in 1958, WW2 immigration from Empire encouraged as workers fill labour shortage. Tensions developed as immigrants blamed for housing shortages and job shortages so tensions spilled over into riots including London, Nottingham. Notting Hall most notable white youths tried to attack black owned/rented properties. Police struggled to maintain order but heavy prison sentences. Set up Salmon Inquiry concluded trouble due to immigration and made no reference to racism suffered by immigrants. Government responded by passing 1962 Commonwealth Immigration Act which limited number of immigrants depended on ethnic groups.
Youth sub-culture - Young people interests that didn’t conform to majority of their age group. Escalated into violence as seen in classes between mods and rockers who confronted each other in holiday resorts. No agreement as to reasons for developments thought to due to benefiting from greater affluence and had more money to spend, didn’t live through the war and didn’t feel constraint to horrors of past, new forms of rock n roll, musicals, satirical TV challenged established behaviour. o all young gained from increasing affluence and development sub culture resulted in anti social behaviour as many young lost respect for authority because increasing number of scandals involving government
