How far was the Labour Party's election victory in 1945 due to changes in social attitudes during the Second World War?

P1 - Changes in social attitudes due to WW2

• WW2 increased support for collectivism and Keynesianism.

• Public saw mobilisation of population for the common good-conscription for men and women, poor condition of inner-city evacuees, rationing etc. highlighted need to work together for better country- more support for 'socialist' principles and state intervention.

• Labour's support for Beveridge Report in Dec 1942-identified five giants: Want, Ignorance, Squalor, Idleness and Disease & set out ways to tackle them including NHS, education policies and new housing.

• 630,000 copies sold during WW2-struck a chord with public.

• Labour embraced the Report enthusiastically & the proposed increase in state intervention fitted their ethos

• Public did not trust Cons to deliver reforms. April 1945 poll-41% identified

• However -

• Many voters blamed the Conservative Party for the failures of the 1930s, especially mass unemployment during the Great Depression.

• Conservative govt’s policy of Appeasement toward Hitler damaged rep & made them seem responsible for the war.

• Although war coalition was led by Churchill, many voters separated his leadership from Cons & doubted party could deliver post-war reform.

P2 - Increased trust in Labour

• 5 years in govt. during WW2 increased public confidence.

• Attlee-Deputy PM, Morrison-Home Secretary, Bevin- Minister for Labour and National Service - took control of domestic agenda (Churchill focused on Grand Strategy of war.)

• Focus on domestic issues = more in tune with public opinion. Campaign- 'Let Us Face the Future' focused on housing, health, education, employment etc. May 1945 Par.ty Conference -atmosphere of 'get up and go'.

• Public had more trust in Labour to deliver.

• Lab even won 139 seats compared to Cons' 100 in southern England & gained support from m/c for manifesto.

• However -

• Wartime experiences such as rationing, evacuation, and shared sacrifice created a greater sense of equality and collective responsibility.

• Beveridge Report increased public expectations that the govt should provide welfare, healthcare, and security after the war.

• Labour’s policies promised to meet these expectations, while the Conservatives appeared less committed to major social reform.

P3 - Conservatives weaknesses

• Bitter memories of 1930s' - high unemployment, poverty and suffering in regions that relied on staple industries, hunger marches -1936 Jarrow Crusade, unpopular Means Test.

• Failure of Baldwin & Chamberlain to deal with issues.

• Many blamed Cons for failure to rearm until late 1930s and Chamberlain's appeasement-'Guilty Men'.

• Chamberlain particularly blamed -disastrous Norwegian campaign and 1940evacuation of Dunkirk traced back to poor planning by Cons

• Churchill not seen as effective peacetime leader - too closely attached to private enterprise (Beaverbrook) & didn’t favour extensive state planning, which public now wanted.

• Con campaign fairly negative- too focused on Churchill's personality and war e.g. 'Help him finish the job', rather than the future.

• Too focused on international affairs. Mistake -national broadcast 4th June (Labour's policies would need a Gestapo-like secret police to enforce them) →Misjudged mood of public & tone of campaign.

• However -

• Cons also enjoyed success- Effectively dealt with General Strike 1926, development of new industries such as cars, chemicals, aircraft etc. Majority experience better living standards and leisure activities in 1930s

• Many Cons recognised the need for post-war social reform after the war. (Post war consensus)

• Accepted much of the thinking behind the Beveridge Report & leading Conservatives acknowledged that state would need to play a larger role in improving living standards after the war

• Suggests that public support for welfare policies did not necessarily mean voters had to support Labour specifically.

Conclusion

• Changes in social attitudes as main factor

• Wartime experiences had significantly changed public attitudes, increasing support for collectivism & greater state intervention

• Popularity of Beveridge Report showed that many voters wanted major social reform after war.

• Labour successfully presented itself as the party most committed to delivering these change, whilst for cons maintained public perception for reluctance in increased state intervention due to past record