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Winston Churchill 51-54
Butler the driving force behind the party
77 and frail when elected - sustained power through reputation
1953 - had a stroke and took time off
Butler significant in accepting the mixed economy of private and state in 1947
Similar policies to Labour but could appeal to centre electorate
Butler was responsible for modernising the party
Eden 55-57
Called an election which increased the conservative majority
Due to personal appeal to female voters as well as the work of Butler
Sues crisis of 1956
Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal
Anglo-french forces attacked but the US condemned the actions which forced British withdrawal
Clear sign of loss of Global Influence
Official reason for standing down was ill health
MacMillan (Super Mac) 57-63
Won the 1959 election
Increased the majority to 100
In office at the same time as growing prosperity and affluence
Personal appeal to the electorate
Work of Butler with the Homicide act gave the party the appearance of changing traditions
1961 - Balance of trade deficit showed downturn in economy
1962 - Rising unemployment and more strikes
Reshuffled the cabinet and got the nickname “Mac the Knife”
Foreign affairs further damaged the party
Cold War proved Britain no longer a global power
French refused Britain to join the EEC
Hit by a series of scandals like the Profumo affair in 1963
Final act as leader for the party to follow “customary processes” which further damaged the party
Douglas-Home 63-64
Leadership contest between Lord Hailsham and Butler
MacMillan used his position to invite Douglas-Home to be PM
Aristocratic background and seen as out of touch
Clear sign that Conservatives hadn’t changed image
Faced a revitalised labour under the youth of Harold Wilson
