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Labour in Power

The document outlines the historical development of the Conservative and Labour parties in the UK up to the 1960s, detailing key events such as the Conservative Party's origins from the Tory Party, its struggles and successes, and the Labour Party's rise to prominence with significant reforms under Clement Attlee. It also highlights societal changes in the 1950s and early 1960s, including economic growth, the expansion of the welfare state, and shifts in youth culture and immigration. Additionally, it discusses Britain's economic policies and its relationship with the European Economic Community during this period.

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0 views4 pages

Labour in Power

The document outlines the historical development of the Conservative and Labour parties in the UK up to the 1960s, detailing key events such as the Conservative Party's origins from the Tory Party, its struggles and successes, and the Labour Party's rise to prominence with significant reforms under Clement Attlee. It also highlights societal changes in the 1950s and early 1960s, including economic growth, the expansion of the welfare state, and shifts in youth culture and immigration. Additionally, it discusses Britain's economic policies and its relationship with the European Economic Community during this period.

Uploaded by

ayathma.adikari
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The origins of the conservative party and its developments up to

the 1960s

 The Conservative Party originated from the Tory Party in the late 17th
century, defending the monarchy, Church of England, and landed
interests.
 In 1834, Sir Robert Peel issued the Tamworth Manifesto, laying the
foundation for the modern Conservative Party based on cautious
reform.
 The 1906 general election was a disaster for the Conservatives, who
were reduced to 157 seats.
 The party was divided over tariff reform, with Joseph Chamberlain
advocating for protectionist Imperial Preference.
 During World War I, the Conservatives joined national coalition
governments and regained influence.
 The 1926 General Strike solidified the Conservatives’ reputation for law
and order.
 The Conservatives dominated the National Government from 1931 to
1940, despite being nominally led by Labour’s Ramsay MacDonald.
 Winston Churchill led Britain through WWII as Prime Minister (1940–
1945) and became a national hero.
 Despite Churchill’s popularity, the Conservatives lost the 1945 general
election to Labour in a landslide.
 After the war, the party accepted many Labour reforms, contributing to
the post-war consensus on welfare and the economy.
 In 1951, the Conservatives returned to power with Churchill as PM,
followed by Anthony Eden (1955–1957).
 The 1956 Suez Crisis under Eden was a major foreign policy failure that
damaged Britain’s international standing.
 Harold Macmillan (PM 1957–1963) presided over economic prosperity
and the famous slogan “You’ve never had it so good.”
 Under Macmillan, Britain began decolonisation and attempted to join
the EEC, which was vetoed by France.
 The party suffered internal divisions and scandals in the early 1960s,
notably the Profumo Affair in 1963.
 Alec Douglas-Home became Prime Minister in 1963 but struggled to
appeal to a modernising electorate.
 In the 1964 general election, the Conservatives lost power to Harold
Wilson’s Labour Party, marking the end of their 13-year post-war
dominance.

The origins of the Labour Party and its developments up to the


1960s
 The Labour Party was founded in 1900 as the Labour Representation
Committee (LRC) to represent working-class interests in Parliament.
 It was formed through an alliance of trade unions, socialist societies
(including the Fabian Society), and cooperative groups.
 In 1906, the LRC changed its name to the Labour Party and won 29
seats in that year’s general election.
 Labour grew in strength after the 1918 Representation of the People
Act, which greatly expanded the electorate.
 The party adopted a new constitution in 1918, including Clause IV,
which committed Labour to common ownership of the means of
production.
 Ramsay MacDonald became the first Labour Prime Minister in 1924,
leading a short-lived minority government.
 Labour opposed fascism and appeasement during the 1930s but
remained out of power throughout the decade.
 In 1940, Labour joined Churchill’s wartime coalition government, with
key roles given to Attlee, Bevin, and Morrison.
 In 1945, Labour won a landslide victory under Clement Attlee,
promising social justice and post-war reconstruction.
 The Attlee government (1945–1951) established the NHS, nationalised
key industries, and created the modern welfare state.
 Labour also passed the National Insurance Act (1946) and began major
housing programmes.
 The party struggled to define its position on nationalisation, nuclear
weapons, and relations with the US and USSR during the 1950s.
 Hugh Gaitskell led the party from 1955 and tried to modernise Labour
but faced opposition over Clause IV and nuclear disarmament.
 After Gaitskell’s death in 1963, Harold Wilson became leader and
presented a more modern, technocratic image.
 In the 1964 general election, Labour returned to power under Wilson,
ending 13 years of Conservative rule.
 Wilson’s campaign focused on modernisation, science, education, and
appealing to a younger generation.

Main features of society during the 50s and early 60s

 Post-war recovery in the 1950s brought economic growth, full


employment, and rising living standards.

 Welfare state expanded with the NHS, social housing, and education
reforms benefiting millions.

 Rationing ended in 1954, marking a shift towards consumerism and


affluence.
 Mass ownership of cars, TVs, and household appliances increased,
especially in the 1960s.

 Suburban growth and new towns developed to meet housing demand.

 Youth culture emerged: teenagers became a distinct group with their


own music, fashion, and spending power.

 Immigration increased, especially from the Caribbean, South Asia, and


Africa, transforming urban areas and triggering racial tensions.

 Education reforms expanded access; grammar schools and university


attendance increased.

 Women’s roles slowly changed: more entered paid work, but


traditional gender roles remained strong in the 1950s.

 The 1960s saw liberalisation: laws on abortion, homosexuality, and


censorship were reformed.

Economy and EEC

 Britain experienced a period of sustained economic growth during the


1950s, marked by full employment, rising real wages, and expanding
consumer spending — many families now owned cars, TVs, and
household appliances.
 Despite prosperity, Britain’s economic management relied on “stop-
go” policies, alternating between expansion and contraction to curb
inflation and fix trade deficits, often resulting in short-termism and
inconsistent growth.
 Although productivity and investment lagged behind key European
economies, the government prioritised maintaining the welfare state
and full employment over industrial modernisation.
 In 1957, six European countries formed the European Economic
Community (EEC), creating a dynamic common market that began
outpacing Britain in growth and integration.
 Britain initially opted out of the EEC and joined the European Free
Trade Association (EFTA) instead, reflecting concerns over sovereignty
and a desire to prioritise ties with the Commonwealth.
 Alarmed by the EEC’s economic success, Britain applied to join in 1961
under Macmillan, but was rejected in 1963 by French President Charles
de Gaulle — a major setback for Britain's global economic position.

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