‘Thirteen wasted years’ or ‘You’ve never had it so good’?

The Conservation Party were in power from 1951 – 1964

• 1951-55 Churchill

• 1955-57 Eden

• 1957-63 Macmillan

• 1963-4 Douglas-Home

Why did the Conservatives Remain in Power from 1951-

1964?

• Social changes & comparative prosperity of the 1950s

• Macmillan as Prime Minister

• Problems in the Labour Party

Conservatives in Power 1951-1964

Social Changes & Comparative Prosperity

1951 General Election

Why did the Conservatives Win?

Bad time for Labour

Poor Labour manifesto

Conservatives’ appealing manifesto

Labour divisions

Reduced competition

Conservatives in Power 1951-1964

Prosperity Under the ConservativesThe Conservatives were criticised for being unable to produce high sustained economic growth. However it cannot be denied

that economic prosperity was seen and this made them popular with the electorate.

• The economy grew

• Low inflation

• Low unemployment

• Rise in general affluence

• Economic planning

• Increase in exports and consumer spending

Their success is more notable because external factors made the climate harsh and competitive.

Conservatives in Power 1951-1964

Macmillan as Prime Minister

Why was Macmillan so successful?

Restore unity & self confidence

Tax cuts

Investment in manufacture

Working week reduced

International relationships

General Election victory

Never had it so good

Conservatives in Power 1951-1964

1959 General Election

Conservatives lead by 7%

Focus on prosperity &

living standards

Excellent Conservative result

Majority of 100 over the Labour Party

Labour vote down by 189 000

Hailed as ‘Supermac’Conservative

Victory

Conservatives in Power 1951-1964

Problems in the Labour PartyThe 1951 General Election confirmed the domination of the

two main parties. Therefore when problems arose in the Labour Party, popularity with the Conservatives increased.

• Leadership problems

• The Bevanites Bevan’s resignation

Criticisms of party policy

Bevan was seen as a leader to other left-wing MPs

Defiance of party orders

• Party organisation

Bevan v Morrison – deputy leadership

Bevan v Gaitskell - treasureship

Bevan resigns from Shadow Cabinet

Bevan v Gaitskell - leadership

Conservatives in Power 1951-1964

Summary of Labour ProblemsLabour Party problems can be summarized as:

• Internal feuding• Clash of personalities• Bitter disputes over policy and principles

A combination of external factors (Labour problems) and internal successes (‘Supermac’) kept the Conservatives in power through three elections (1951, 1955 & 1959). They managed to appeal to

the electorate with their focus on raising living standards and providing a time where people ‘never had it so good’. Solutions to

the main domestic issues were presented well and people really did believe that life was better with the Conservatives.

Conclusion - Why did the Conservatives remain in power from 1951-1964?