Topic 1 - Why Did Conservatives Remain in Power 1951-64 Flashcards
How many seats did the conservatives win in the 1951 election?
321 (48% of the vote)
How many seats did conservatives win in the 1955 election?
344 (49.7% of the vote)
How many seats did the conservatives win in the 1959 election?
365 (49.4% of the vote)
How many seats did the conservatives win in the 1964 election?
304 (labour won with 317)
What economics to conservatives use to win elections
stop - go economics
How did RA Butler use stop go economics in 1955 election (rationing)
food rationing abolished 1953-54
How did RA Butler use stop go economics in 1955 election (tax cuts)
excess £242m found in the budget so £134m given away in tax cuts in april 1955
How did Heathcoat-Amory let the economy go before the 1959 election (tax reduction)
income tax reduced from 42.5% to 38.75%
What was unemployment like in the 1950s under conservatives
less than 2%
What percent of people owned houses by 1964
44%
What factor also made people vote for conservatives (lack of unemployment, able to buy new products like cars)
affluence
What was the relationship like between conservatives and trade unions
Very good - they beat labour at their own game
How many houses had Macmillan built as housing secretary in 1953
300,000
How many houses were built by 1964
1.7 million
What popular slogan did conservatives use in their campaigns
‘life is better under the conservatives’
