Britain 1951 – 1997 Elections
Elections Who won? Why did they win Why didn’t the other side win?
1945 Election Labour – Attlee Housing - In 1945 I million The Conservatives unlike the
houses had been destroyed Labour party didn’t produce
and damaged by the German any major figures during the
bombing campaigns. Labour war.
promised to build more than Conservatives promised to
Tories. build less houses
The Beveridge Report - published in Less likely to produce social
December 1942 and convinced the change
British people that Britain would be a
better place if its proposals were
adopted. The nation wanted the ‘Five
Giants’ mentioned to be attacked
after the war.
Wanted social change that
Labour was more likely to
achieve as the war had meant
the mobilisation of women
People surprised by
poverty in Britain which was
shown by evacuation -> Over
12% of evacuees from
Newcastle -upon-Tyne did not
have proper shoes.
1951 election Conservatives – Churchill 2nd term Conservatives had recovered Labour weaknesses – not as
Won by 26 seats and reorganised itself after its strong ss it had been as
defeat in 1945. difficulties of dealing with
Conservative strengths - post-war economic and
After defeat in 1945, they put financial problems had
in place both policies and a exhausted many of the
reorganisation of the party cabinet. They were associated
that allowed them to recover with the policies of austerity.
and take advantage of Labour had taken Britain into the
difficulties. Lord Woolton Korean War in 1950 which
reformed the party finances added to financial strains.
and local organisation so that Party divided - Division seen
it was in a stronger position to in the imposition of charges
challenge Labour. for dental treatment,
Influx of young talented prescriptions and glasses
politicians into the party like which undermined that the
Reginald Maudling who gave NHS would be free. Party was
the party new ideas and internally divided.
dynamism. Boundary changes and
offered an attractive electoral system - meant
programme - promised to that Labour had to win 2%
build 300,000 houses a year more of the popular vote to
solving the issue of housing win the same number of seats
shortage despite Labour because the redistribution of
overseeing the building of seats resulted in some of their
over 200,000 houses a year seats becoming marginal or
and to give people more red simply increased the number
meat - time that it was strictly of votes they could win in
rationed. already safe houses.
Claimed they would commit The Decline of the Liberal
to the Welfare State and Party - vote fell from 2.6
not reverse Labour’s million in 1945 to 730,556 in
achievements. 1951 which made the problem
Churchill was still a for Labour worse. The Liberals
popular figure - seen as a didn’t contest every seat and
hero for leading the country to many ex-Liberals voters
victory in the war and wanted turned to the Conservatives
to thank him. helping them win Labour
marginal seats.
1955 Election Conservatives – Eden Soon after replacing Churchill Divisions - split was between the
he called an election which supporters of Gaitskell (known as the
resulted in an increased Revisionists as they wanted to
Conservative majority - in part modernise the party) and the
due to his person appeal, supporters of Aneurin Bevan (known
particularly to women voters as the Fundamentalists because they
but also due to the work of wanted to maintain the traditional
Butler. principles of the party). divided over
whether it wanted to move further to
The gov had reduced income
the left or right in British policies and
tax before the election and
Gaitskell was unable to resolve this.
with their record of improving
Attlee appeared both ill and
living standards appeared to
tired in contrast to Eden, the
offer security and prosperity.
new conservative leader.
The Conservatives were
Labour also made mistakes as
fortunate that the election
they promised as increase in
coincided with a period of
state pensions without a rise
economic recovery and
in taxes and when questioned
, allowed them to claim that how it would be funded
‘Life is better with the without this raise, it was not
Conservatives.’ believed.
election which resulted in an
increased Conservative
majority - in part due to his
person appeal, particularly to
women voters but also due to
the work of Butler.
1959 Election Tory victory – Harold Macmillan only won the 1959 election and
3 years after the Suez Crisis increased the Conservative
majority to 100, despite this
just being 3 years after the
Suez affair.
His personal appeal to the
electorate played a cruel role
in his popularity as his
appearances on TV won him
much support and despite
satirists mocking him as
‘Super Mac’ he was able to
turn this image to his
advantage with the famous
comment: ‘Never had it so
good.’
Work of Butler as home
secretary with the Homicide
Act gave the party appearance
of changing its traditional and
often reactionary attitudes.
1964 election Labour – Harold Wilson but pretty In March 1966, the gov returned Tory Weaknesses – blamed
close due to: with a majority of 96. for poor economy, didn’t have
Home ended up being a more Major achievement showed that solutions to rising inflation,
effective PM than expected Wilson’s leadership paid off. unemployment, industrial
while Wilson had a rep for Wilson avoided splits in the party. unrest, seemed out of touch,
political cunning scandals gave the impression
Labour won because they had
Economy not doing that bad: that they were the self-
Cut taxes in 1963 budget
managed to appear purposeful and indulgent elite.
which contributed to a trade resolute and had avoided damaging The economy – balance of
deficit of £800 million but also divisions. trade deficit, unemployment
helped narrow the gap Many voters still blamed the Tories reached over 800,000 by end
between the parties as for the difficulties and Wilson of 1963, EEC membership
earnings rose. Number of made Edward Heath, Tory leader rejected in 1963 – humiliating
unemployment dropped from since August 1965, seem dogged and showed how weak the
900,000 in Feb 1963 to and ponderous. country was, Britain’s growth
300,000 by July 1964. slower than rest of Europe,
Attitudes toward Labour - Labour strengths – more increased number of days lost
Many voters still distrusted the united than in 1951 and 1959. to strikes.
party and its links to unions Wilson presented as more NOLK 1962 – sacked 1/3
and strikes against the gov progressive – Man of the cabinet, never been done
pay policies reduced its people: Yorkshire born, before, ‘Mac the knife’ and
support. grammar school, football fan. questioned the unity of the
Party’s internal disputes Presented a new Britain where party
hadn’t been settled and less fortunate backgrounds Scandals – Profumo affair -
middle-class voters disliked its were able to progress and John Profumo’s liaison with
commitment to succeed. Christine Keeler was a security
nationalisation. Voters Wilson’s leadership - risk because of her links to
doubted leaders ability to presenting the party as through prostitution to the
handle the crises especially modern, dynamic and Russian embassy. Profumo
international problems as the progressive. 60% population denied the affair in the House
Tories continued to be rating. Presented new Britain of Commons but it also
regarded as more reliable on where talented people from became known that he had
defence. humble backgrounds could met her. Was also the Vassal
succeed. Man of the people- Affair, the Philby case and the
Yorkshire born, grammar Argyll divorce case. Profumo
school student and footie fan. affair raised issues of risks to
Election manifesto promised national security through the
range of policies to promote Secretary of State for war,
faster economic growth, full John Profumo.
employment, improved Liberal party – popularity
welfare, health services, grew so they stole votes from
better housing and education. Tories – seats rose from 6 in
Wilson’s pledge: ‘A Britain 1959 to 9 in 1964
that is going to be forged Traditionalists were outraged
in the white heat of this and thought that changes to
revolution.’ the law on homosexuality,
Labour claimed that the Tories contraception and the
has presided over ‘13 wasted legalisation of abortion
years.’ created a ‘permissive’ society.
Changes in society – youth
less likely to accept traditional
authority. This generation had
not lived through war and did
not feel constrained by the
horrors and grim times of the
Elections Who won? Why did they win Why didn’t the other side win?
1945 Election Labour – Attlee Housing - In 1945 I million The Conservatives unlike the
houses had been destroyed Labour party didn’t produce
and damaged by the German any major figures during the
bombing campaigns. Labour war.
promised to build more than Conservatives promised to
Tories. build less houses
The Beveridge Report - published in Less likely to produce social
December 1942 and convinced the change
British people that Britain would be a
better place if its proposals were
adopted. The nation wanted the ‘Five
Giants’ mentioned to be attacked
after the war.
Wanted social change that
Labour was more likely to
achieve as the war had meant
the mobilisation of women
People surprised by
poverty in Britain which was
shown by evacuation -> Over
12% of evacuees from
Newcastle -upon-Tyne did not
have proper shoes.
1951 election Conservatives – Churchill 2nd term Conservatives had recovered Labour weaknesses – not as
Won by 26 seats and reorganised itself after its strong ss it had been as
defeat in 1945. difficulties of dealing with
Conservative strengths - post-war economic and
After defeat in 1945, they put financial problems had
in place both policies and a exhausted many of the
reorganisation of the party cabinet. They were associated
that allowed them to recover with the policies of austerity.
and take advantage of Labour had taken Britain into the
difficulties. Lord Woolton Korean War in 1950 which
reformed the party finances added to financial strains.
and local organisation so that Party divided - Division seen
it was in a stronger position to in the imposition of charges
challenge Labour. for dental treatment,
Influx of young talented prescriptions and glasses
politicians into the party like which undermined that the
Reginald Maudling who gave NHS would be free. Party was
the party new ideas and internally divided.
dynamism. Boundary changes and
offered an attractive electoral system - meant
programme - promised to that Labour had to win 2%
build 300,000 houses a year more of the popular vote to
solving the issue of housing win the same number of seats
shortage despite Labour because the redistribution of
overseeing the building of seats resulted in some of their
over 200,000 houses a year seats becoming marginal or
and to give people more red simply increased the number
meat - time that it was strictly of votes they could win in
rationed. already safe houses.
Claimed they would commit The Decline of the Liberal
to the Welfare State and Party - vote fell from 2.6
not reverse Labour’s million in 1945 to 730,556 in
achievements. 1951 which made the problem
Churchill was still a for Labour worse. The Liberals
popular figure - seen as a didn’t contest every seat and
hero for leading the country to many ex-Liberals voters
victory in the war and wanted turned to the Conservatives
to thank him. helping them win Labour
marginal seats.
1955 Election Conservatives – Eden Soon after replacing Churchill Divisions - split was between the
he called an election which supporters of Gaitskell (known as the
resulted in an increased Revisionists as they wanted to
Conservative majority - in part modernise the party) and the
due to his person appeal, supporters of Aneurin Bevan (known
particularly to women voters as the Fundamentalists because they
but also due to the work of wanted to maintain the traditional
Butler. principles of the party). divided over
whether it wanted to move further to
The gov had reduced income
the left or right in British policies and
tax before the election and
Gaitskell was unable to resolve this.
with their record of improving
Attlee appeared both ill and
living standards appeared to
tired in contrast to Eden, the
offer security and prosperity.
new conservative leader.
The Conservatives were
Labour also made mistakes as
fortunate that the election
they promised as increase in
coincided with a period of
state pensions without a rise
economic recovery and
in taxes and when questioned
, allowed them to claim that how it would be funded
‘Life is better with the without this raise, it was not
Conservatives.’ believed.
election which resulted in an
increased Conservative
majority - in part due to his
person appeal, particularly to
women voters but also due to
the work of Butler.
1959 Election Tory victory – Harold Macmillan only won the 1959 election and
3 years after the Suez Crisis increased the Conservative
majority to 100, despite this
just being 3 years after the
Suez affair.
His personal appeal to the
electorate played a cruel role
in his popularity as his
appearances on TV won him
much support and despite
satirists mocking him as
‘Super Mac’ he was able to
turn this image to his
advantage with the famous
comment: ‘Never had it so
good.’
Work of Butler as home
secretary with the Homicide
Act gave the party appearance
of changing its traditional and
often reactionary attitudes.
1964 election Labour – Harold Wilson but pretty In March 1966, the gov returned Tory Weaknesses – blamed
close due to: with a majority of 96. for poor economy, didn’t have
Home ended up being a more Major achievement showed that solutions to rising inflation,
effective PM than expected Wilson’s leadership paid off. unemployment, industrial
while Wilson had a rep for Wilson avoided splits in the party. unrest, seemed out of touch,
political cunning scandals gave the impression
Labour won because they had
Economy not doing that bad: that they were the self-
Cut taxes in 1963 budget
managed to appear purposeful and indulgent elite.
which contributed to a trade resolute and had avoided damaging The economy – balance of
deficit of £800 million but also divisions. trade deficit, unemployment
helped narrow the gap Many voters still blamed the Tories reached over 800,000 by end
between the parties as for the difficulties and Wilson of 1963, EEC membership
earnings rose. Number of made Edward Heath, Tory leader rejected in 1963 – humiliating
unemployment dropped from since August 1965, seem dogged and showed how weak the
900,000 in Feb 1963 to and ponderous. country was, Britain’s growth
300,000 by July 1964. slower than rest of Europe,
Attitudes toward Labour - Labour strengths – more increased number of days lost
Many voters still distrusted the united than in 1951 and 1959. to strikes.
party and its links to unions Wilson presented as more NOLK 1962 – sacked 1/3
and strikes against the gov progressive – Man of the cabinet, never been done
pay policies reduced its people: Yorkshire born, before, ‘Mac the knife’ and
support. grammar school, football fan. questioned the unity of the
Party’s internal disputes Presented a new Britain where party
hadn’t been settled and less fortunate backgrounds Scandals – Profumo affair -
middle-class voters disliked its were able to progress and John Profumo’s liaison with
commitment to succeed. Christine Keeler was a security
nationalisation. Voters Wilson’s leadership - risk because of her links to
doubted leaders ability to presenting the party as through prostitution to the
handle the crises especially modern, dynamic and Russian embassy. Profumo
international problems as the progressive. 60% population denied the affair in the House
Tories continued to be rating. Presented new Britain of Commons but it also
regarded as more reliable on where talented people from became known that he had
defence. humble backgrounds could met her. Was also the Vassal
succeed. Man of the people- Affair, the Philby case and the
Yorkshire born, grammar Argyll divorce case. Profumo
school student and footie fan. affair raised issues of risks to
Election manifesto promised national security through the
range of policies to promote Secretary of State for war,
faster economic growth, full John Profumo.
employment, improved Liberal party – popularity
welfare, health services, grew so they stole votes from
better housing and education. Tories – seats rose from 6 in
Wilson’s pledge: ‘A Britain 1959 to 9 in 1964
that is going to be forged Traditionalists were outraged
in the white heat of this and thought that changes to
revolution.’ the law on homosexuality,
Labour claimed that the Tories contraception and the
has presided over ‘13 wasted legalisation of abortion
years.’ created a ‘permissive’ society.
Changes in society – youth
less likely to accept traditional
authority. This generation had
not lived through war and did
not feel constrained by the
horrors and grim times of the
