How important a factor was Conservative leadership? Flashcards
What was Churchill and how was this demonstrated?
Nothing more than a figurehead as he was frail and sustained in power by his reputation: not missed after a stroke in 1953
What did Butler provide? Think Churchill
The drive and ideas for the Churchill premiership
Why was Butler a significant figure?
He played a significant role in helping the party recover after 1945, ensuring it developed new and modern ideas
What was he involved in in 1947?
The production of the industrial charter in 1947, whereby the party accepted the principle of a mixed economy
What did Butler’s involvement in the 1944 Education Act indicate?
That he was concerned with social issues, an area that many perceived the Conservatives ignored
What did his policies allow the party to do and what was Butler responsible for?
Appeal to the centre ground of politics
Modernising the party and helping Eden secure victory in the 1955 election
What happened in 1955?
Eden replaced Churchill and soon after called an election, increasing their majority to 60
What did Eden have?
A personal appeal, particularly to female voters
What was the impact of Suez in 1956?
Damaged the administration
Misjudged the mood of the people with a ‘mad venture’
The decision to withdraw was evidence of lack of political will and a sign that Britain was no longer a major power
What did the press criticise?
Eden’s domestic policy
What happened in 1957?
Eden stood down and was replaced by Macmillan who was fortunate he didn’t have to go to the electorate
Why was Macmillan successful?
Won the 1959 election
Increased the Conservative majority to 100
What did Macmillan preside over, what did he have, and what was he able to do?
Growing prosperity and affluence
Personal appeal
Turn the image of ‘Super Mac’ to his advantage
What can Macmillan’s success also be attributed do?
The work of Butler as home secretary
The Homicide Act gave the party the appearance of modernity
What happened in 1962?
‘Night of the Long Knives’ as Macmillan sacked 16 ministers
What did Macmillan gain the reputation for and why?
A world-class statesman
Realised that the empire had to be dismantled, despite protests from within the party
What happened in 1960?
Called for the need to recognise the ‘wind of change’ blowing through Africa
What damaged Macmillan’s image?
Cold War developments that revealed Britain was no longer a major power
French veto
What were the scandals a sign of?
Macmillan’s loss of grip
What did Macmillan do in 1963 and what was the impact?
Announced his intention to resign and asked the party to follow ‘customary processes’ in choosing his successor
Damaged the party’s image
How did Douglas-Home become leader?
Macmillan did not wish to see Butler succeed and used his position to advise the Queen to invite Sir Alec Douglas-Home to be prime minister
What did the process of choosing a leader by sounding out the cabinet and MPs seem to be?
Ridiculous in a democratic age, particularly as it brought to power a man of aristocratic background who was perceived by many to be out of touch with ordinary people
Who was Douglas-Home chosen by and what was this a sign of?
An ‘old-boy’ network
That the party had not changed its image
What was the impact of ADH?
Enoch Powell and Iain Macleod stated they would not serve under Douglas-Home
What did Douglas-Home face?
A revitalised Labour, with a new programme, under the youthful and dynamic leadership of Wilson
What was unsurprising/surprising?
That Labour won in 1964
The narrowness of the victory
