Why were Conservatives able to dominate interwar politics?

Question 1

What were the 4 main reasons why the conservatives were dominant in interwar British politics?

Answer 1

• The electoral system of 1918
• Weaknesses/divisions of opposition parties
• Effective party organisation
• Effective leadership + image

Question 2

Why was the electoral system of 1918 a reason why the conservatives were dominant in interwar politics?

Answer 2

• Plural voting remained until 1948 - enabled businessmen who lived in one constituency + owned property in another to vote in both constituencies + uni students could vote in home and university constituency (both businessmen + undergraduates tended to vote tori)
• In 1918 constituency boundaries were redrawn - gave greater representation for middle class suburbs (these people owned their own property)
• This unevenness exacerbated by first past the post electoral system
• In 1921, Irish Free State gained independence - UK lost 80 Nationalist MPs supporting Libs + toris continued receiving support form 10 Northern Irish MPs

Question 3

Why was the weakness of Liberals/Labour a reason why Conservatives were dominant in interwar politics?

Answer 3

• Libs who were toris main opposition before 1918 were plagued by division due to DLG
• By 1931, many of the right-wing Libs had split from official Libs + became National Libs - formed close alliance with Toris so there wasn’t healthy opposition for toris
• In interwar years Labour found it hard to establish themselves outside of their industrial working class heartlands. Took some support from Libs but not much from toris. There was also a healthy fear of socialism around time of General Strike (1926)
• In 1931, Labour gov. was deeply divided over how to handle economic crisis + decimated from Gen. Election that year

Question 4

Why was effective party organisation a reason why Conservatives were dominant in interwar politics?

Answer 4

• As toris were seen as the ‘party of property’ funding wasn’t a problem - able to field more candidates, distribute party materials more widely + use new technologies to get its message across (e.g cinema)
• Toris developed true national party structure with organised local branches + network of professional agents
• International organisation developed with Conservative Research Department being created in 1929 - responsible for research, drafting speeches + prep. of party docs e.g election manifestos

Question 5

Why was effective leadership + image a reason why Conservatives were dominant in interwar politics?

Answer 5

• Rebranding of Tori party began in 1870s - moved away from party of wealth + privilege to ‘one nation tories’ which promoted empire, patriotism + national defence. Designed to attract uncommitted working class voter (it did)
• Stanley Baldwin (leader between 1923 + 1927) continued to rebrand + present himself as a straight-talking man of the people (could be seen as dull - safety first campaign)
• He owned a fortune in steel industry + was known to run his factories fairly + promote good working relationships
• Baldwin gained a reputation for economic competence - gave support from traditional voters but also wealthy middle class Libs
• Was a challenge as Baldwin was key for destroying DLG coalition in 1922 - Baldwin supported free trade, taking away the policy that united Libs + returned to protectionism in 1924