Why did the conservatives dominate elections between 1951-64?
Leadership: Churchill and Eden popular for working with Trade Unions, Eden was popular in the media and Macmillan
was popular due to his role as housing minister under Churchill as he fulfilled the 300,000 houses built a year target.
Economic Improvements: Conservatives come to power at the start of a post war economic boom with the end of
austerity in 1951 and rationing ending in 1954. Menes weekly wages doubled, people had more disposable income
resulting in growth in consumer goods such as cars, white goods and TV ownership.
Weak opposition: Labour leader Atlee retired and the party split into factions, the Gaitskellites and Bevanites who
disagreed over CND, prescription charges and abolishing clause IV.
1950s Society
The decline of the establishment: The government appear out of touch with their Edwardian gentleman image,
rise of CND encouraged people to challenge authority, 1960s spy scandals including the Profumo affair and
satirical shows in the media all highlight the establishment declining.
Position of Women: Most women remained housewives although the number of women in work had slightly
risen, mainly in clerical jobs and their lives had slightly improved with the introduction of white goods making
domestic chores easier.
Race Relations: By 1958 about 210,000 commonwealth immigrants were living in Britain however there was many
campaigns against immigration culminating with the 1958 Notting hill riots.
Youth culture: Teddy boys and then mods and rockers subcultures becoming important youth identities and teen
fashion, magazines and music were rapidly growing.
Foreign Affairs 1951-64
EEC- Formed in 1957 Britain initially chose not to join but by 1961 many believed the English economy would
benefit as well as building new alliances with the cold war however their application was rejected primarily by the
French president De Gaulle who disliked Britain’s relationship with USA.
The cold War: State of hostility existing between soviet countries and western powers between 1945-1990, Britain
joined NATO with the USA and Macmillan furthered the special relationship with the USA, sharing their nuclear
weapons.
Suez crisis 1956: Colonel Nasser wanted to nationalise the Suez Canal which was a main trade route for oil so
Israel, Britain and France invaded however this was controversial and after many anti-war protests and no USA
support, Britain had to back down. This shows Britain’s influence as a world power is decreasing.
Decolonisation: New commonwealth begins to emerge although there is some rebellion such as the Mau Mau
rebellion in Kenya before they are granted independence, Macmillan also gives the winds of change speech in
1960 South Africa.
Why the conservatives lost the 1964 election:
Failing Economy: The economy began to overheat meaning wage freezes were implemented, the 1963 Beeching
report was unpopular, EEC application represented economic failure and there was a trade deficit.
Conservative Image: Macmillan and Home appeared outdated Edwardian men who were members of the
establishment which many in England are now turning against. Macmillan also sacks 1/3 of his cabinet in 1962
making him appear clumsy and incompetent as well as the spy scandals and media satire tainting their image.
Labour party and Harold Wilson: Wilson was the first PM to be state educated and he seems to represent moving
away from the establishment to a more meritocratic society, ideologies of modernisation are popular and he
appears in touch with the needs and wants of the electorate.
Wilsons government 1964-70
Divisions: Wilson was a peace maker between the factions of the party although with close ties to the trade
Leadership: Churchill and Eden popular for working with Trade Unions, Eden was popular in the media and Macmillan
was popular due to his role as housing minister under Churchill as he fulfilled the 300,000 houses built a year target.
Economic Improvements: Conservatives come to power at the start of a post war economic boom with the end of
austerity in 1951 and rationing ending in 1954. Menes weekly wages doubled, people had more disposable income
resulting in growth in consumer goods such as cars, white goods and TV ownership.
Weak opposition: Labour leader Atlee retired and the party split into factions, the Gaitskellites and Bevanites who
disagreed over CND, prescription charges and abolishing clause IV.
1950s Society
The decline of the establishment: The government appear out of touch with their Edwardian gentleman image,
rise of CND encouraged people to challenge authority, 1960s spy scandals including the Profumo affair and
satirical shows in the media all highlight the establishment declining.
Position of Women: Most women remained housewives although the number of women in work had slightly
risen, mainly in clerical jobs and their lives had slightly improved with the introduction of white goods making
domestic chores easier.
Race Relations: By 1958 about 210,000 commonwealth immigrants were living in Britain however there was many
campaigns against immigration culminating with the 1958 Notting hill riots.
Youth culture: Teddy boys and then mods and rockers subcultures becoming important youth identities and teen
fashion, magazines and music were rapidly growing.
Foreign Affairs 1951-64
EEC- Formed in 1957 Britain initially chose not to join but by 1961 many believed the English economy would
benefit as well as building new alliances with the cold war however their application was rejected primarily by the
French president De Gaulle who disliked Britain’s relationship with USA.
The cold War: State of hostility existing between soviet countries and western powers between 1945-1990, Britain
joined NATO with the USA and Macmillan furthered the special relationship with the USA, sharing their nuclear
weapons.
Suez crisis 1956: Colonel Nasser wanted to nationalise the Suez Canal which was a main trade route for oil so
Israel, Britain and France invaded however this was controversial and after many anti-war protests and no USA
support, Britain had to back down. This shows Britain’s influence as a world power is decreasing.
Decolonisation: New commonwealth begins to emerge although there is some rebellion such as the Mau Mau
rebellion in Kenya before they are granted independence, Macmillan also gives the winds of change speech in
1960 South Africa.
Why the conservatives lost the 1964 election:
Failing Economy: The economy began to overheat meaning wage freezes were implemented, the 1963 Beeching
report was unpopular, EEC application represented economic failure and there was a trade deficit.
Conservative Image: Macmillan and Home appeared outdated Edwardian men who were members of the
establishment which many in England are now turning against. Macmillan also sacks 1/3 of his cabinet in 1962
making him appear clumsy and incompetent as well as the spy scandals and media satire tainting their image.
Labour party and Harold Wilson: Wilson was the first PM to be state educated and he seems to represent moving
away from the establishment to a more meritocratic society, ideologies of modernisation are popular and he
appears in touch with the needs and wants of the electorate.
Wilsons government 1964-70
Divisions: Wilson was a peace maker between the factions of the party although with close ties to the trade
