Plans for reconstruction and 1945 election Flashcards
Plans for reconstruction intro:
By 1944 no longer clear what Britain was fighting for:
* Britain had declared war against Germany in September 1939 on the basis of a guarantee it had given to Poland, promising Poland protection if it was attacked. Yet toward the end of the war it became increasingly clear that the Red Army would dominate the country. Despite Churchill’s efforts at Yalta and Potsdam, there was little he could do for the London Poles, the Polish government-in-exile.
* Britain was allied with the USSR – a nation which had committed atrocities in Poland – and yet was also supporting a campaign in Greece against communism.
* The claim Britain was defending ‘civilisation’ was undermined by the heavy bombing of German cities which included huge civilian deaths.
* A war to preserve the British Empire had seen much of the ‘Empire in the East’ lost to the Japanese, including Malaya, Singapore, and Burma. India’s contributions to the war effort were only strengthening its calls for independence. The USA had made clear its hostility to continued British imperialism.
TF focus shifted to post-war reconstruction at home. After WW1, Brits had been promised a country ‘fit for heroes’ which had never materialised strong desire to make sure did not happen again.
Churchill and domestic reform:
He showed little interest, others were responsible for these:
* National Fire Service – 1500 different fire services were brought together.
* Mothers and children – Diphtheria immunisation was offered; free milk was given to school children, free school meals were expanded, orange juice and cod-liver oil provided. Reductions in infant mortality followed.
* Railways – In 1942 the British railways were nationalised.
* Beveridge Report, 1942 – An influential report was published by Sir William Beveridge which outlined ways to deal with The Five Giants of want, ignorance, squalor, idleness and disease which prevented people from bettering themselves. Beveridge recommended a system which was comprehensive, universal, contributory, non-means tested and compulsory. This laid the groundwork for the expanded welfare state under the Labour government (1945-51).
* Education Act, 1944 – Each area in Britain was to provide a ‘varied and comprehensive education’; the school leaving age was to rise to 15 by 1947; an exam at age 11 was to decide which type of school you attended: grammar, secondary modern and technical.
Beveridge report in late 1942 was essential. Tories broadly supported it, but Churchill raised concerns about its cost, in private remarks after the 1943 debate, Churchill called Beveridge a ‘windbag and a dreamer’. HE, Labour’s full endorsement allowed them to win GE.
Furthermore, Churchill’s daughter Sarah wrote a letter to her father in 1945 attempting to persuade him about benefits of socialism, saying that ‘Socialism as practised in the war’ did ‘quite a lot of people good’.
Loss of 1945 election: intro
Following VE day, Labour were quick to insist a general election was called.
During decade with no elections, a new left-leaning consensus had gradually developed within Britain Beveridge report December 1942 recommended comprehensive welfare state and NHS. Very popular but little support from Churchill and Tories.
Position of Labour changed dramatically during war. Churchill had given Labour several key ministires within the national government:
- Ernst Bevin: Ministry of Labour
- Herbert Morrison: Home Office
- Clement Attlee: Deputy PM
Resulted in wealth of experience which made them more popular
Reasons for Labour’s victory
Churchill’s perceived lack of enthusiasm for the Beveridge Report. Whereas Labour seemed to wholeheartedly embrace its suggestions and transform Britain. Labour’s manifesto – titled: Let us Face the Future Together – captured this.
Ghost of the Hungry 1930s – Depression had hit Britain hard and many had not forgotten how life was under Tory government in 1930s… Conservative Party also blamed for failed policy of appeasement. This view was strengthened by 1940 anonymous publication of ‘Guilty Men’ which blamed Chamberlain, Baldwin, Halifax et al for war breaking out.
Campaign although only 6 weeks long. Tories made notable errors – Churchill insisted Labour’s socialism would require ‘some form of Gestapo’ seemed overexaggeration and out of touch focus of campaign was on Churchill not about country more broadly. HE polls say labour was on track for win for quite some time. Conservatives had a -8.0 lead since June 1943, and only dipped below in June 1945 to -6.0 lead (polls according to Gallup)
Success of SU many saw rapid pre-industrialisation of SU + their success in war as evidence that socialism was the future.
Experience of war War had encouraged social mobility as men of all ability were promoted. Women also took key roles within work force many saw vote for Labour as less class-ridden Britain.
Result
Result was announced on 26 July 1945 (three weeks after polling day to enable those overseas in the forces to vote). 48% of vote, Labour gained majority of 146 seats (largest in post-war British history). Vote represented a rejection of Conservatives than Churchill.
Public perception that Churchill was a ‘man of war’ and not suitable peace time leader. Labour popular with first time voters and those in the forces.
Conservatives dropped from 387 to 197. Liberals also fared badly with Liberal leader, Sir Archibald Sinclair loing his seat and Liberals reduced to 12 seast.
