CONSERVATIVE POLITICAL DOMINANCE 1951-64 (sep 1, 1951 – jan 1, 1964)

Description:

FOUR FACTORS
LEADERSHIP
AFFLUENCE
- 1951-63:
72% rise in average wages
- Number of cars on roads increased from 3m to 7m
- 1961: Working hours reduced from 48-42hrs
Licensed TVs: 340,000-13m

LABOUR DIVISIONS (1951 election)
- Prescription charges: cost of NHS more expensive than expected- £400m in first year
No. of prescriptions increased from 7m/month (before NHS) to 19m/month in 1951.
5m pairs of glasses given out in year one, demand for false teeth expected
Govt introduced 50% charges of cost of false teeth and glasses.
Caused Bevan to resign from govt and Labour left angered by betrayal of principles of NHS

-Unilateral nuclear disarmament (1959 election)
Most Labour left wing wanted party to support unilateral disarmament- meant UK would reject nuclear weapons before any international approach. Supported by the likes of TU leader Frank Cousins.
Labour left wing close to radical CND pressure group. GAITSKELL did not agree and Bevan also WARNED THAT UNILATERAL NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT WOULD WEAKEN BRITAIN- NO LONGER AN INFLUENTIAL WORLD POWER.
1962: First nuclear test £100m
1962: Skybolt cancelled
1963: Polarist missiles- France didn't have
Britain a 'client state' vulnerable potential target
- Clause IV:
Nationalisation had been a central principle of the Labour Party- formed clause IV of the Labur Party constitution
- Centre/right of party thought it should be removed because people would be less inclined to vote for socialist policies
1959: Gaitskell put forward idea of clause IV abolishment BUT became clear there would be massive TU resistance so Gaitskell removed idea without even putting it to a vote.

- Displays of party division
1959: Party Conference at Blackpool
1960: Party Conference at Scarborough
1960: Gaitskell lost a vote over unilateral nuclear disarmament
1961: Made excellent speeches and managed to overturn result, distancing Labour from unilateral nuclear disarmament

BUDGET POLITICS

- PM pressure:
Conservative PMs wanted their Chancellors to deliver a 'give-away' budget shortly before general elections
This would mean people seeming wealthier and perhaps choosing to reward governent with their vote.
1955: Butler cut 6 pence of income tax
1959: Heathcoat-Amory: Range of tax cuts, relaxed controls on credit and gave go-ahead for wage increases.
- Easy to criticise Conservatives for 'give-away'
Short term economic gain rather than policies esigned to rebuild British industry.

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