Conservative domination, 1951-64

Question 2

What majority did the Conservatives win in 1951?

Answer 2

26-seat majority, despite Labour winning more total votes.

Question 3

How did the 1950 election affect Labour morale?

Answer 3

Labour had only a 5-seat majority, which weakened morale.

Question 4

Why was Labour associated with austerity?

Answer 4

They cut imports, maintained high taxes and rationing to encourage exports.

Question 5

How did the Korean War in 1950 affect Labour?

Answer 5

Increased defence spending led to NHS cuts and charges for prescriptions.

Question 6

What internal issue weakened the Labour Party in 1951?

Answer 6

Divisions over NHS charges and defence spending.

Question 7

How did the Conservative campaign compare to Labour’s?

Answer 7

Better organisation, more funding, and stronger campaign messaging.

Question 8

What was the Conservative stance on nationalisation?

Answer 8

United in opposing Labour’s nationalisation of iron and steel.

Question 9

What housing promise did the Conservatives make in 1951?

Answer 9

To build 300,000 houses per year.

Question 10

What freedoms did the Conservatives promise in 1951?

Answer 10

Freedom from rationing and regulations, while keeping welfare state policies.

Question 11

How did the voting system work against Labour?

Answer 11

First-past-the-post favoured Conservatives despite Labour’s popular vote.

Question 12

How did the decline of the Liberal Party help Conservatives?

Answer 12

Liberal voters mostly shifted to the Conservatives.

Question 13

How did Cold War politics affect public view of socialism?

Answer 13

It became less popular due to association with the USSR.

Question 14

What was the unemployment rate in the 1950s?

Answer 14

Around 500,000 – considered low.

Question 15

How did real wages change in the 1950s?

Answer 15

Real wages increased – incomes rose faster than prices.

Question 16

How did home ownership change from 1951 to 1964?

Answer 16

Rose from 25% to 44%.

Question 17

How did education expand under Conservative rule?

Answer 17

More schools built, grammar schools expanded, and university access increased.

Question 18

What is Butskellism?

Answer 18

A term describing the similarities in Labour and Conservative economic policies.

Question 19

What was the ‘stop-go’ economic strategy?

Answer 19

Alternating between boosting and cooling the economy to control inflation.

Question 20

How did the economy support the welfare state?

Answer 20

High employment and growth allowed for increased welfare spending.

Question 21

Which industries grew during Conservative rule?

Answer 21

Aircraft, chemicals, and car manufacturing.

Question 22

How did infrastructure improve?

Answer 22

Road network expansion and start of the motorway system.

Question 23

Why was Churchill respected as PM?

Answer 23

Famous WWII leader, respected for foreign affairs.

Question 24

What were Churchill’s leadership limitations (1951–55)?

Answer 24

He was 77 and left domestic matters to R.A. Butler.

Question 25

What crisis ended Eden’s leadership?

Answer 25

The 1956 Suez Crisis.

Question 26

Why did the Suez Crisis damage Eden?

Answer 26

Poor handling, US disapproval, public backlash, and eventual withdrawal.

Question 27

What was Macmillan’s key strength as a leader?

Answer 27

Charismatic, effective on TV, popular slogan: 'You’ve never had it so good.'

Question 28

What key reforms or events happened under Macmillan?

Answer 28

Ended national service, accepted African independence, promoted better US-UK relations.

Question 29

What weakened Macmillan in the early 60s?

Answer 29

Cabinet reshuffle (1962), economic issues, Profumo scandal.

Question 30

What was Douglas-Home’s background?

Answer 30

Scottish aristocrat, chosen by MPs, PM for under a year.

Question 31

What ideological split existed in Labour during this period?

Answer 31

Left wanted more socialism; right focused on equality and reforms.

Question 32

What debate did Clause IV cause in Labour?

Answer 32

Disagreement on whether to stick with full public ownership of industry.

Question 33

What did Labour vote for in 1960 regarding nuclear weapons?

Answer 33

Voted for unilateral disarmament (later reversed).

Question 34

What caused Bevan to be expelled from Labour?

Answer 34

Opposed rearming West Germany and joining NATO.

Question 35

How did Atlee compare to Eden in election campaigning?

Answer 35

Seen as less robust and energetic.

Question 36

How did Labour's stance on Europe affect them?

Answer 36

Negative attitude made them seem old-fashioned and isolationist.

Question 37

What was a key problem in Labour's 1959 campaign?

Answer 37

Promised higher pensions without tax increases – seen as unconvincing.

Question 38

How did youth culture affect Conservative support?

Answer 38

New generation was more liberal, modern, and leaned towards Labour.

Question 39

What was the Beeching Report and its impact?

Answer 39

Cut railway network to save money—seen as short-sighted.

Question 40

How did UK economic growth compare with Europe’s?

Answer 40

Slower growth and shrinking share of world trade.

Question 41

What were Britain’s economic weaknesses in the early 60s?

Answer 41

High inflation, stagnant industries, weak exports, and outdated management.

Question 42

How did high defence spending affect the economy?

Answer 42

10% of GDP spent on defence, limiting economic investment.

Question 43

Why was not joining the EEC significant?

Answer 43

Missed out on economic benefits from European integration.

Question 44

What economic problems hit the UK by 1963?

Answer 44

800,000 unemployed and balance of payments deficit.

Question 45

What scandals hurt the Conservative government?

Answer 45

Macmillan’s 1962 reshuffle and the Profumo Affair.

Question 46

What social issue also affected Conservative popularity?

Answer 46

Race riots in 1958.