(1) Conservative governments and Reasons for Political Dominance
• 1945 Clement Atlee’s Labour won a landslide victory – his govt made far-reaching
changes to the UK- establishment of welfare state, extending system of national
insurance and creation of NHS. Also nationalised key industries – railways, iron, coal,
steel.
• 1950 – Labour’s majority cut from 146 to 5. Atlee called another general election a
year later.
• START OF COURSE – 1951 election- Conservative majority of 17 seats- Churchill
returned until 1955. Labour politicians believed Churchill past his best and that
Conservatives would be unable to tackle Britain’s significant economic difficulties.
Churchills’ govt
• Not dynamic figure of WW2 – suffered serious stroke in 1953.
• Primary interest on international affairs- had little enthusiasm for domestic policies.
• Day-today running left to Ministers such as Rab Butler, Eden, and Macmillan.
• Still able to ensure stability and a sense of unity- Butler worked well with Parliament
and Trade Unions.
• Churchill’s domestic polices not a radical break from Atlee’s
• BUT- personal tensions between Butler, Eden and Macmillan - Eden became
increasingly impatient by Churchill’s reluctance to step down
Eden’s govt
• Called general election in 1955- increased Tory majority to 60
• Eden soon criticised by Tory MPs for his lack of interest in domestic affairs, his
inexperience/reluctance on economic policy and his fairly laid-back approach to T.U.
• Suez crisis- 1956 – destroyed Eden’s govt – plot between France/Israel and UK to
take control of Suez Canal. MPs calling for his resignation and accusation of lies to
house of commons.
Macmillan’s govt
• Him and butler main contenders but Butler blamed for the overheating of economy-
increased inflation.
• Macmillan’s govt seemed in full control, economic prosperity, and boom –
Macmillan stated the British people had ‘Never had it so good’.
• 1959 election – landslide – majority 100- Labour divisions played a huge part.
Labour divisions
• Personal rivalries and ideological splits emerged- main split between 2 rivals in 1955
– Gaitskell and Bevan- Bevin on left, Gaitskell on right of party.
• T.U. attacked Gaitskell’s moderate policies, also attacked by many Labour supporters
for his support of nuclear weapons- harmed party image- as did anti-nuclear Labour
MPs joining forces with radical campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
• Lost 1959 elections and attempted to abolish clause IV – committed Labour to
nationalisation – increased criticism.
Mac and Douglas-Home (1962-4)
• Macmillan had difficult final year- concerns over economy and about Britain’s
position in Europe – application rejected by EEC.
• 1945 Clement Atlee’s Labour won a landslide victory – his govt made far-reaching
changes to the UK- establishment of welfare state, extending system of national
insurance and creation of NHS. Also nationalised key industries – railways, iron, coal,
steel.
• 1950 – Labour’s majority cut from 146 to 5. Atlee called another general election a
year later.
• START OF COURSE – 1951 election- Conservative majority of 17 seats- Churchill
returned until 1955. Labour politicians believed Churchill past his best and that
Conservatives would be unable to tackle Britain’s significant economic difficulties.
Churchills’ govt
• Not dynamic figure of WW2 – suffered serious stroke in 1953.
• Primary interest on international affairs- had little enthusiasm for domestic policies.
• Day-today running left to Ministers such as Rab Butler, Eden, and Macmillan.
• Still able to ensure stability and a sense of unity- Butler worked well with Parliament
and Trade Unions.
• Churchill’s domestic polices not a radical break from Atlee’s
• BUT- personal tensions between Butler, Eden and Macmillan - Eden became
increasingly impatient by Churchill’s reluctance to step down
Eden’s govt
• Called general election in 1955- increased Tory majority to 60
• Eden soon criticised by Tory MPs for his lack of interest in domestic affairs, his
inexperience/reluctance on economic policy and his fairly laid-back approach to T.U.
• Suez crisis- 1956 – destroyed Eden’s govt – plot between France/Israel and UK to
take control of Suez Canal. MPs calling for his resignation and accusation of lies to
house of commons.
Macmillan’s govt
• Him and butler main contenders but Butler blamed for the overheating of economy-
increased inflation.
• Macmillan’s govt seemed in full control, economic prosperity, and boom –
Macmillan stated the British people had ‘Never had it so good’.
• 1959 election – landslide – majority 100- Labour divisions played a huge part.
Labour divisions
• Personal rivalries and ideological splits emerged- main split between 2 rivals in 1955
– Gaitskell and Bevan- Bevin on left, Gaitskell on right of party.
• T.U. attacked Gaitskell’s moderate policies, also attacked by many Labour supporters
for his support of nuclear weapons- harmed party image- as did anti-nuclear Labour
MPs joining forces with radical campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
• Lost 1959 elections and attempted to abolish clause IV – committed Labour to
nationalisation – increased criticism.
Mac and Douglas-Home (1962-4)
• Macmillan had difficult final year- concerns over economy and about Britain’s
position in Europe – application rejected by EEC.
