Download Why did the Conservative Party dominate British politics

How was political consensus established
between 1945 and 1955?
Learning objective – to be able to explain
how post war political consensus was
established.
I can describe the key
features of post war
British
political
consensus.
Grade D
I can explain why
post war British
political consensus
was established.
Grade B
I can explain and assess
the reasons why post
war British political
consensus
was
established.
Grade A
Starter – What is the message of this
cartoon?
Why did Labour win by a landslide in
the 1945 General Election?
 The First Past the Post System worked in favour of
Labour and distorted their vote.
 Conservatives associated with the hardship of the
years of Depression and the failure of appeasement.
 Conservatives led a poor election campaign.
 Labour were seen as dynamic and promising welfare
reform.
 Key Labour ministers in War Cabinet were seen to
perform well.
 Churchill was seen as a weak peacetime leader.
Where did post war consensus fit on
the political spectrum?
 Economically, political consensus
was towards the moderate left
with a commitment to full
employment and nationalising key
industries.
 Foreign policy, however, was more
towards the right with a
commitment
to a
nuclear
deterrent and confronting the
USSR in the Cold War.
Why was there a political consensus?
 The experience of the Second World War was critical in the
establishment of a political consensus in a number of ways –
 The National Government proved the Ministers from
rival parties could work together and that a broad
agreement on key policies could be reached.
 Success of collectivism – an approach where certain
problems are tackled by taking away some rights for the
common good.
• Attlee’s establishment of a mixed economy to curb the
excesses of socialism and capitalism was acceptable to many.
• Several of the leading Conservatives, such as Eden and
MacMillan, were progressive and committed to improving the
lives of the population.
How did Attlee’s government establish
a ‘middle way’?
 Between 1946 and 1951, Labour nationalised key industries, such as
coal, steel, public transport and gas.
 The aim of nationalising the key industries were –
 Improve efficiency of failing industry.
 Improve industrial relations.
 Place service above profit.
 Create full employment.
• This approach was central to a managed mixed economy which was
supported by the establishment of The Economic Planning Council
in 1947 which oversaw production and imports.
• This was underpinned by Keynesian economic theory – in hard
times governments should borrow and spend more money to
stimulate a recovery.
How did Attlee’s government establish
a ‘middle way’?
 Economic recovery was a key priority of the Attlee
government and to aid this a period of austerity was
enforced.
 Control measures such as rationing of food and fuel was
implemented until 1954.
 Wages caps were unofficially in place with the agreement
of the Trade Unions.
 Economic controls, such as interest rates, levels of rents
and profits, were used to prevent excesses in spending.
What key welfare reforms did the
Attlee government introduce?
 Using the Beveridge Report as a bedrock, the Attlee government
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implemented a series of welfare legislation that were central to
political consensus. The main parts of the welfare programme were
–
The National Insurance Act – this extended the original 1911 Act.
The Industrial Injuries Act – which cover for accidents in the
workplace.
The National Health Service Act – which created the NHS providing
health care free at the point of service.
The Education Act – passed in 1944 but implemented by the Attlee
government.
The National Assistance Act – established boards to investigate
cases of hardship.
The Family Allowances Act – provided financial support to families.
Why did Labour lose votes in the 1950
and 1951 General Elections?
 Growing dissatisfaction over continued rationing.
 Austerity wasn’t being perceived as bringing economic
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recovery quickly enough.
Taxation at 45% at a standard rate was seen as too high.
Labour Ministers were tired, beginning to divide and were
disillusioned.
Conservatives were seen as a united party – particularly over
the nationalisation of iron and steel which impressed the
electorate.
Also, 1950 saw an influx of bright young Conservative
politicians.
‘Butskellism’ – the high point of post-war
political consensus?
 The
1951-64
Conservative
governments
largely
accepted
Labour’s post war welfare reforms
and approach to managing the
economy along Keynesian lines.
 Such was the closeness of the
economic policies of Labour and
Conservative governments of the
1950s, The Economist coined the
phrase ‘Butskellism’ to describe this
consensual approach.
 ‘Butskellism’ came from the names of
the Conservative Chancellor, R. A.
Butler, and the Labour leader, Hugh
Gaitskell.
Task
Stick a copy of this comic
strip on a piece of card and
annotate
it by adding
relevant details beside each
panel.
Use
the
PowerPoint
presentation to help you.
Task
Design a mind map outlining the development of the post war political
consensus.
Remember –
 To include colour, key words and images.
 To include the key features of political consensus.
 To include the reasons why it existed and continued beyond 1951.
Extension task
Prepare an essay plan for the following question –
‘The most important reason why political consensus was established
by 1951 was the experience of the Second World War.’ How far do
you agree with this statement?
Plenary – My Brain
Subheading – My Brain
Draw an outline of your brain.
Fill your drawn brain with all the things you have learnt in this lesson.
This can be in the form of key words, drawings, bullet points, lists –
anything you like so long as it summarises your learning and that others
can understand it.