why did cons dominate 1951-64

Question 1

summary/intro

Answer 1

1. manipulated economy - ‘go phase just before election’
2. feel good factor amongst affluent class
3. beat labour at own game

Question 2

cons economic

Answer 2

1. 1955 ButlersSpring Budge - lowers basic rate of income tax = feel good factor
2. 1959 Heathcoat Amory - lowers income tax to post war low of 38.75%
3. affluence - rationing ends. unemployment rarely above 2%. home ownership 44%. TV ownership 91%.
4. ‘life is better under the conservatives’
   ‘You’ve never had it so good’

Question 3

lab economic

Answer 3

1. 1951 imploded overspending on welfare state
2. associated with high taxation and Austerity of Atlee years
3. 1950s Bevanites pushing for further nationalisation whils right wing group centred on Gaiskell and Crossland and ‘Future of Socialsism’

Question 4

cons political

Answer 4

1. 1955 Eden popular effective leader. harnessed new medium of TV
2. 1955 MacMillan ‘Supermac’ stressed theme of continuing prosperity. campaign promised to double standards of living

Question 5

lab political

Answer 5

1. 1955 ageing and backword looking Atlee unable to tame bevanites. defied party whip to vote agains rearmament. 1956 voted in favour of H bomb
2. did not appeal to public.
3. conservatives looked more progressive

Question 6

cons social

Answer 6

1. expenditure increased 39 to 43%

2. macmillan influential figure. gov surpassed 300,000 new houses target by 1964 - 1.7 million new homes built