Importance of Conservative leadership

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