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Why did the Conservatives dominate for so long?
Economy
Wages and living standards
Credit
Housing
Economic policy
Unemployment
Social policy
Economy
industrial growth inevitable after the war
Countries had more money to spend on goods instead of defence
Growth rate not as impressive as others
Britains share of world trade shrank from 25% to 15% while others grew
10% of GDP on defence instead of funds for industrial growth
Wages and living standards
Rise in living standards
Wages rose faster prices - more disposable income
Cut income tax before 1955 and 1959 election to increase “feel good factor”
Used to win votes
500% increase in car ownership
Purchase of washing machines increased
Less reasons for electorate to vote for change
Credit
Able to borrow money
Spread cost over years so could purchase items not available before
Able to go on foreign holidays
Housing
Met target through 354,000 houses in 1954 and built 1.7 million while in office
The Rent Act made more house available to rent
Rent prices rose and tenants couldn’t afford them
House Ownership rose to 44% by 1964
Middle and upper classes had no reason to vote Labour
Economic policy
Consistent and similar to previous Labour governments
Butler increased borrowing to improve expenditure on health, education and housing
Increased spending on welfare state
“Butskellism” - brought together policies of the Conservative Butler and the Labour Gaitskell
“Stop-Go approach” - if spending or wages rose too quick, tax and interest rates would increase and import controls prevented foreign purchases. Opposite for a fall in demand
Britain had no overall economic policy
“Stagflation” - Industrial output Declined but inflation remained
Failed to invest in important industries which hindered growth
Unemployment
unemployment remained high
Some years fell but it was never below 250,000
Social policy
Increase spending on welfare
More housing
Changes to education system
Three tier system replaced by the comprehensive system
More comprehensives opened under Conservatives than Labour shows their ability to accept and adapt
1963 Robbins report attempted to expand universities and provide larger grants to increase funding
6000 new schools
