Political Leadership 1951-64 Flashcards
1
Q
What was the labour government like from 1951-55?
A
- Attlee years
- Nye Bevan’s opposition to Labour Party Policy in 1955 on the H-bomb, following row over prescription charges
- deepened “Bevanite Split”
- damaged 1955 election campaign
2
Q
What was the labour government like from 1955-63?
A
- Hugh Gaitskell years
- Gaitskell took stand against Bevan’s support for unilateralism (Bevan changed view in 1957) and greater socialism deepened the Bevanite split
- Labour failed to capitalise on the chance (post-Suez) in 1959 election, partly due to rushed policy on increasing state pensions through raising taxes, which led to question over whether it was economically viable
- party’s response to the 1959 election defeat further deepened the Bevanite Split: pro-Gaitskellite Campaign for Democratic Socialism (CDS) further angered more radical Bevanites
- Gaitskell defeated in party conference in 1960 when unilateralists used the bloc Trade Union both to force the party to adopt unilateralist policy
3
Q
What was the conservative government like from 1951-57?
A
- Churchill and Eden
- combination of PM Churchill’s statesmanlike reputation and chancellor (to 1955) Butler’s modernising “Butskellism” strengthened the government, helping them win the 1955 election
- Eden’s swift resignation over Suez helped to avoid damage to the Conservatives by the 1959 election
4
Q
What was the conservative government like from 1957-63?
A
- Macmillan years
- Macmillan’s political judgement (e.g. Jan 1957: impressive cabinet speech about “learning the lessons of Suez”) led to his smooth transition to PM
- combination of PM Macmillan’s political judgement and Home Secretary Butler’s modernising “Butskellism” and social reformism (e.g. 1957 Homicide Act) strengthened the government helping them to 1959 election victory
5
Q
What was Macmillan’s character and beliefs?
A
- initially supported intervention into Suez
- had few enemies/rivals
- nickname of ‘Supermac’
6
Q
What was Macmillan’s ability as a leader (achievements and setbacks)?
A
- Clean Air Act 1956 and Housing and Factory Acts
- Night of the long Knives 1962
- October 1959 got conservative majority up to 100 seats
- used new political opportunities provided by television, had good control over media
- oversaw building of 300,000 houses per year
7
Q
What was Gaitskell’s role in the labour party?
A
- chancellor or the exchequer 1950-51
- introduced prescription charges
- on the right of the labour party
- became leader in 1955
8
Q
What was Gaitskell’s ability as a leader (achievements and setbacks)?
A
- defeated Bevan in election
- attempted to reform labour party but was unsuccessful
- Frank Cousins disliked him as leader and over nuclear weapons, 1956 Cousins came leader of powerful union TGWU (Transport and General Workers Union)
- put forward idea Clause IV (committed party to nationalisation) backed down before putting it to vote
9
Q
What was Eden’s character and beliefs?
A
- “peace comes first, always” adds to his popularity
- tried to promote greater emphasis on technical education (practical and vocational skills)
10
Q
What was Eden’s ability as a leader (achievements and setbacks)?
A
- Suez crisis
- foreign secretary in WW2
- increased conservative majority from 17 to 60 seats
- lack of knowledge on economic issues
- attempted to move Macmillan from foreign office to treasury in October 1955
- only prime minister for 2 years 1955-57
11
Q
What was Churchill’s character and beliefs?
A
- thought he was above party politics
- joined liberals in 1904, rejoined conservatives in 1924
- international statesman, not a domestic politician
- key priority was to stop any new conflict (nuclear war)
- known as war hero
12
Q
What was Churchill’s ability as a leader (achievements and setbacks)?
A
- gained reputation for leading wartime Britain
- 1953 stroke left him with impaired speech
- chose people to work with each other who were rivals, which lasted all 13 years of rule: Butler, Macmillan and Eden
- not great relations with Eden himself
13
Q
What was Aueurin Bevan’s character and beliefs?
A
- protested against prescription charges
- wanted Labour to be more socialist
- initially opposed developing nuclear weapons but in 1957 announced opposition to unilateral nuclear disarmament
14
Q
What was Bevan’s role in the labour party?
A
- minister of health: architect of NHS
15
Q
What was Bevan’s ability as a leader (achievements and setbacks)?
A
- architect of NHS
- hero to Labour left
- gained support of many Labour MPs and trade unionists due to Bevanite quarrel
