oct 19, 1963 - Douglas-Home takes over government

Description:

Macmillan resigned due to a sudden illness. Sir Alec Douglas-Home took over as Prime Minister.

There was some division over Douglas-Home, with two senior ministers-Iain Macleod and Enoch Powell- refused to serve under him as Macmillan orchestrated his success. This made Douglas-Home seem illegitimate. However there were also some division over R.A Butler and Lord Hailsham becoming leader.

Despite this, Douglas-Home took the Tories to a close victory. Although won by the clever Wilson, 900 extra votes distributed equally throughout the key marginal constituencies would secure a Conservative victory.