how accurate is it to say that the years 1945 to 1970 were a period of political consensus between the labour and the conservative parties

Judgement:

The years 1945–70 are often described as the era of the "post-war consensus," and there was indeed significant agreement between Labour and Conservative parties on key issues like the welfare state, mixed economy, and full employment. However, beneath this surface consensus, there were ideological tensions, policy differences, and growing divergence by the late 1960s. So, the statement is mostly accurate, but with some key qualifications.

Consensus on the Welfare State – Broad Agreement

consensus on the welfare state - broad agreement

• Point: Both parties accepted and supported the welfare state established by Labour from 1945.

• Evidence:

  • NHS (1948), expanded education, family allowances.

  • Conservatives (1951–64) maintained and even expanded these provisions.

• Explain:

  • The popularity of the welfare state made rolling it back politically unviable.

• Counter:

  • Conservatives were more concerned about cost and efficiency—e.g. charges for prescriptions introduced in 1951.

• Link: While there were differences of emphasis, both parties broadly agreed on keeping the welfare model.

. Agreement on the Economy – Mixed Economy and Full Employment

• Point: Both parties accepted a mixed economy with state and private sectors, and Keynesian economics.

• Evidence:

  • Nationalisation of key industries under Labour (coal, steel, rail).

  • Conservatives did not reverse these nationalisations and pursued full employment.

• Explain:

  • Aimed to avoid the mass unemployment of the 1930s.

• Counter:

  • Conservatives leaned more toward market solutions; Labour favoured further nationalisation (e.g. steel in 1967).

• Link: Broad economic consensus held, though differences in approach remained.

Political Stability and Shared Assumptions

• Point: The main parties shared assumptions about Britain’s global role, national unity, and moderate reform.

• Evidence:

  • Cross-party support for NATO, nuclear weapons, and gradual decolonisation.

  • Trade unions seen as legitimate partners.

• Explain:

  • A shared desire to rebuild post-war Britain encouraged moderation and co-operation.

• Counter:

  • Labour had internal tensions over defence (e.g. unilateral disarmament), and the Conservatives had divisions over Europe.

• Link: There was a general agreement on broad political goals, even if internal party divisions existed.

Limits and Breakdown of Consensus by Late 1960s

• Point: By the late 1960s, economic pressures and ideological shifts began to erode consensus.

• Evidence:

  • Growing concerns over inflation, strikes, and balance of payments.

  • Labour’s "In Place of Strife" (1969) proposed curbing union power—opposed by both unions and many Labour MPs.

  • Conservatives under Heath (from 1965) began to challenge consensus politics.

• Explain:

  • Consensus became harder to maintain in a climate of economic decline and rising industrial unrest.

• Counter:

  • The shift away from consensus was not fully realised until after 1970, especially under Thatcher.

• Link: The consensus dominated much of 1945–70, but signs of strain emerged by the end.

Conclusion

• Judgement:

  • The period from 1945 to the late 1960s can accurately be described as one of broad political consensus, particularly on welfare, economic management, and national policy.

  • However, this consensus was not absolute and began to unravel by the end of the 1960s, laying the groundwork for the ideological divisions of the 1970s and 1980s.

• Final Line: The description is broadly accurate, though the consensus was pragmatic rather than ideological, and not without limits.