Conservatives Downfall 1961-63

Question 1

Britains situation by 1960s
Macmillans leadership

Answer 1

Growing concerns for the economy and MacMillan started to loose his political touch and there were spy scandals coming to the surface.

Question 2

What did MacMillan do with his Cabinet in 1962

Answer 2

Radically reshuffled the cabinet, became the night of long knives. It aimed at rejuvenating the government but actually made it weaker.

Question 3

1960s spy scandals

Answer 3

George Blake was convicted of being a soviet agent in 1961.
John Vassall was a civil servant who was blackmailed on the basis of his sexuality, to pass information to the Soviet Union.

Question 4

Profumo scandal affair in 1963

Answer 4

Secretary of State, Profumo lied about his actions. Impacted MacMillan and the government’s reputation.

Question 5

MacMillans serious illness

Answer 5

Had an abdominal operation that kept him in hospital for weeks and resigned in October of 1963.

Question 6

Impact of macmillans resignation

Answer 6

Conservative party faced decisive, power struggles, and there were strong opposition to most obvious candidates, rab butler, and Lord Hailsham, and, in the end, Lord home emerged as the leader.