Conservative Dominance Flashcards
When did 13 years of conservative dominance begin
1951, following general election
What were the three key political turning points highlighted
1951 - start of Tory Dominance
1979 - start of Thatcher Dominance
1997 - start of new Labour dominance
What was the political state of Labour in 1951
Labour was divided by left wing and right wing factions making them a weaker opposition
How did the first past the post electoral system contribute to conservative dominance
Helped the Tories gain an advantage over Labour and nationalist parties as Labour votes were more concentrated in urban areas
What economics contradictions existed in Britain in the 1950s
Economic difficulties and decline coexisted with optimism and growth, as Britain faced war debts but also experienced post-war affluence
What was the impact of mass immigration in the 1950s
The wind rush generation arrived making the beginning of large-scale immigration and greater social diversity
What were the key aspects of Britain’s foreign policy at this time
Britain remained influential globally but was losing its colonial power missing early opportunities to join the EEC
What was the post war consensus
An agreement among political parties supporting nationalisation, strong trade unions, high taxes and a welfare state
Who were the key figures behind the post war consensus
Rab Butler
Hugh Gaitskell
What was butskellism
A term used to describe the similarity between conservative and labour economic policies
What economic policies did Rab Butler implement
Keynesian economics
Full employment
Welfare expansion
Nuclear weapons programme
How did Butler try modernise the Tory party
encouraging one-nation
Accepting trade unions - industrial charter
Mixed economy policies to prevent labour from dominating progressive ideas
What were the main reasons for conservative dominance from 1951 to 1964
Labour divisions
Economic growth
Housing pledges
Macmillan’s popularity ( Supermac )
pledged to End of rationing and austerity
How did the Suez Crisis effect conservative policies
It was a major failure
But quickly forgotten after Edens resignation
What was the impact of the housing pledge
Tories fulfilled their promise of building 300,000 new homes a year
Improved living standards
