Britain History: Leaders during the 13 year domination of conservatives (1951-1964)

who were the leaders during this period

- Churchill (1951-1955)

- Eden (1955-1957)

- Macmillan (1957-1963)

- Home (1963-1964)

strengths of Churchill?

- hugely popular due to WW2 victory = 1951 election victory may have been a belated- thank you to him

- good social reforms during this period

weaknesses of Churchill during this premiership?

- He could be considered a "figurehead" for the conservative party, as it was mostly Butler ensuring the party modernised and helped Eden win the 1955 election

what exemplified Churchill's lack of authority during this period?

- He had a stroke in July 1953 but he was scarecely missed = showed how Conservative party was functioning just fine without him

who was the one behind changing the conservatives in a good way during Churchill's premiereship?

- Butler

what did Butler do (in Churchill's premiereship)

- ensured the party modernised and developed new ideas

- Involved in production of "Industrial Charter" = outlined conservatives accepted a mixed economy = reflected good on party

- his association with the 1944 education act = made party appear to be concered with social issues too

- helped Eden win the 1955 election

what was the Industrial Charter? when was it?

1947

- accepted principle of a mixed economy

-signified a modern thinking and well-funded Conservative party

who followed Churchill?

- Eden (1955-1956)

strengths of Eden?

- increased Conservative majority shortly after election victory

- had personal appeal (particularly amongst female voters)

weakness of Eden?

- Suez Crisis (1956)

What was the Suez Crisis (1956)

- Egyptian leader Nasser Nationalised the Suez Canal (a vital trade route for Britain) and despite warnings did not revoke his decision

- anglo-french attack was launched but failed due to international pressures of the USA and domestic condemnation espesically from Labour party = "mad venture"

Impact of Suez Crisis?

- Eden Resigned in 1957

- Highlighted his lack of political will to the people

- misjudged the mood of the people and was followed by mass condemnation

- clear sign Britain was no longer a global power

who followed Eden?

- Macmillan (1957-1963)

strengths of Macmillan?

- increased Conservative majority to 100 seats despite it only being a short time after the Suez Crisis

- strong personal appeal = able to turn his satirical nickname of "super-mac" into a good thing with his comment of "never had it so god"

- initially, ruled over a period of prosperity

weaknesses of Macmillan?

- "Night of the Long Knives"

- growing economic problems

- scandals

- factors out of his control (not a direct weakness but weakened him and conservative party)

what was the "night of the long knives"? impact?

- Macmillan reshuffled his cabinet in July 1962 and sacked 7 cabinet ministers and another 9 ministers = did not have the desired effect and gave him the nickname "Mac the Knife"

- opinion polls plummeted

- one of the factors which contribuited to his resignation

growing economic problems under Macmillan? impact?

- BoP defecit was becoming more apparent as the economy was facing a downturn

- unemployment was increasing and days lost to strikes were also increasing

- decreased support of conservative party and undermined his statements of "never had it so good"

scandals under macmillan?

- Profumo Affair

What was the Profumo Affair?

- John Profumo (defence secretary) had an affair with Christine Keeler, who turned out to also have links with the Russian Embassy = People thought details may have been compromised = security risk

impact of profumo affair?

- security risk and also reflected poorly on party as Macmillan was not able to control his party

factors out of his control under Macmillan?

- Development of Cold war = emphasised GB was no longer a power

- French Veto of Conservative attempt to join the EEC as De Gaulle viewed their attempt to join as insincere

who followed Macmillan?

- Home (1963-64)

weaknesses of home?

- aristocratic background = unpopular for the people

- selected by many "etonions" = highlighted lack of progress and conservatives retaining traditional values

- caused internal divisions in Conservative party

- faced revitilised Labour party

who refused to serve under Home?

Enoch Powell

some strenghths of Home?

- affable and popular with some in the party