1951 election

Labour weaknesses, Conservative strengths, Electoral system

Why did the Conservatives win the 1951 election

1. Labour Weaknesses

2. Conservative Srengths

3. Electoral System

Labour Weaknesses

• Associated with policies of austerity, rationing and high taxation

• Took Britain into Korean War in 1950

• Internal divisions over foreign and economic policy

• Divisions over free NHS treatment

• Highest polled votes in 1951 than any other party

• Built 200,000 houses a year

Conservative strengths

• Lord Woolton reformed party finances

• Influx of young talented politicians with new ideas

• Could challenge Labour’s nationalisation of iron and steel industry

• Promised 300,000 houses a year

• Still committed to welfare state

• Give people more “Red meat” at a time of rationing

• Churchill still a popular figure

Electoral system

• First past the post system

• Labour got more votes but conservatives won many marginal seats

• Boundary changes of 1948 representation of the people act

• Decline in liberals meant ex voters turned to the conservatives