Why Did A Post-War Political Consensus Develop?

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

Economic ‘Middle Way’ devised
Commitment to ‘Keynesian’ economics, welfare state, high employment, nationalisation, cooperation with trade unions, government intervention.
Conservatives did little to reverse Labour’s policies post 1951

Question 2

Impact of Second World War

Answer 2

Acceptance of collectivist policies + general social welfare
Economic recovery relied on collaboration
Common experience of state led economy + industry - public accept more policies previously seen as ‘socialist’ or ‘radical’

Question 3

Legacy of the ‘National Government’

Answer 3

Showed politicians could collaborate effectively
Stopped extremist policies
Important foundation of ‘post-war consensus’; brought Lab + Cons ministers together- broad agreement in policies

Question 4

Creation of a ‘Middle Way’

Answer 4

Minimised radical/extremist policies- not trying to undermine
Attlee didn’t pursue too ‘radical’ policies in 1945, despite majority
Created a ‘middle way’ balancing socialist ideas with capitalism- e.g ‘mixed economy’

Question 5

Role of Individual Conviction

Answer 5

Many leading Cons progressive
Churchill- continued ‘popular’ Attlee policies
Eden + MacMillan- ‘one-nation’ Tories, wanted social cohesion + maintained welfare state
Butler (Chancellor)- leading reformer, driving force behind changes- inc Education Act (1944)