Conservative Governments and reasons for political authority 2 Flashcards
Info that is NOT on the specification
What was the Bevanite quarrel?
a split in the labour party in 1951 when Bevan resigned over the introduction of prescription charges
What electoral voting system did the conservatives use?
first past the post
What does ‘first past the post’ mean?
a voting system whereby the candidate with the most votes per constituency wins a seat in parliament
Who won the 1951 election?
conservatives
What is important to note about the 1951 election?
the labour party got more votes but the conservatives got more seats
Who won the 1959 election?
conservatives
What are the 4 points of the post-war consensus?
1- belief in a mixed economy (both state and private enterprise)
2- support for the NHS and the welfare state
3- wish to ensure full employment and avoid mass unemployment
4- work with trade unions and employers
Why was a mixed economy important?
experience of war made people more ready to accept the need for state intervention
Why is the NHS something that the conservatives inherited?
they warmed up to its concept as well as it becoming an iconic part of British culture and it aligned with the newly established welfare state
Why was employment apart of the consensus?
After the Great Depression the conservatives did not want to be known as the party of unemployment
Why was collaborating with trade unions important?
preventing strikes in a fragile economy/ society
What are the 2 foreign policy terms of the post-war consensus?
1- foreign policy based on support for the USA and opposition to the USSR and communism
2- Independence for the colonies of the empire
Why did Britain want to keep its special relationship with the USA?
the USA provided loans to Britain and both countries wanted to prevent the spread of communism
Why did the post-war consensus focus on decolonisation?
because imperialism played a key role in the outbreak of two world wars
Who was R A Butler often described as?
‘the best prime minister the conservatives never had’
