The Blitz also, more obviously, caused a huge rise in support for Labour's housing development plans. While the more right-wing Gaitsgillites wanted more concentration on an aggressive foreign policy on issues like the cold war. The Conservatives, on the other hand, met the report with lukewarm support, disliking Nationalisation and the Welfare State. Attlee's reputation rose during the 1945 electoral campaign. The Conservatives reluctance to accept this report was hugely beneficial to Labour who capitalised on the huge of public support behind it. He beat the Zeitgeist, the vibe and the emotional appeals while leaving Clive Palmer and the Greens failing to live up to expectations. Although it was hoped that Daltons resignation might offset some of the decline in public confidence in Labours economic policy, the government were never again endorsed by mass popularity as in the previous two years. Gaitskell adopted a similarly pragmatic approach to Britains budgetary problems and kept typically socialist long-term economic planning to a minimum. Working class voters, on the other hand, remained loyal to the Labour Party and the 1951 election saw Labour poll the highest aggregate popular vote ever achieved in Britain. Divisions over appeasement, foreign policy and rearmament deeply weakened Labour. The split ran deep within the Labour party and consequently it was deeply weakened, so when it came to the 1951 election, Labour found it much harder to fight against the now united Conservatives who had been re-organisation under a new leader. Indeed, Robert Pearce claims it seems very unlikely indeed that the campaign was crucial. America sought the support of her allies in fighting the North Korean communists, and Britain committed troops to assist her. 20thcentury British politics had been dominated by the conservatives, and Labour had never formed a workable majority before 1945. Its formation was the result of many years of struggle by working class people, trade unionists and socialists, united by the goal of working class voices represented in British Parliament. Gaitskell and Morrison (Deputy Prime Minister) both doubted whether Labour would be able to defeat the Conservatives in 1951, owing to their loss of seats in the 1950 election. The population was also swelling, not to mention the return of service men and women from abroad, and the total number of properties in Britain had fallen by over 700,000 due to bomb damage. The Conservative Party made some political headway by attacking the governments credentials with regard to the 1948 devaluation of the pound, which was designed to bring about the much needed rise in exports. By 1951, however, their roles had reversed. Under the first past the post electoral system, many Labour votes were "wasted" as part of large majorities for MPs in safe seats. Dunkirk triggered many people to blame the conservatives and their previous leaders for appeasement. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. Their election campaign was heavily based off the idea that, if voted into power, there would be a period of consolidation after the previous years of innovation. From the research Ive done, Ive attempted to form what I consider to be that clear answer. As the night drew . It is at this point that the switch from socialist idealism to pragmatic consolidation might be identified as a cause of voter disaffection. There are several causes which can be established, first by looking at the events of the Attlee years and then isolating those points at which factors were working toward the partys defeat. How this translates to an election is that only the votes for the winning candidate in each constituency are counted towards seats in parliament. This split was a key moment in the demise of Attlees government. seats 1950, By changing the timing of the election to be in 1951 rather than keeping the NHS, Attractive party to businessmen What seems stingingly ironic is that in 1951 the Labour party actually received the largest percentage of the vote than any other party had in Britain's history and still lost the election. The election result was a disaster for Labour. 1951 Give an example of a prominent cabinet minister that Labour had lost by 1951 due to old age Ernest Bevin Which party looked fresh and orchestrated in 1951, had fresh MPs, and ran an efficient campaign? Most obviously, because the campaigns importance is overshadowed by the larger, more influential issues. But it was not. Britains involvement in the Korean War also enabled the Conservatives to play on Churchills war hero status. Pre-war Conservatives were labelled Guilty Men by Labour, this was very influential in winning over public opinion for Labour who presented themselves as the only party able to prevent another war. Why did Labour win the 1945 election and lose in the 1951 election? electricity-1948 The Labour Party, led by Attlee won a landslide victory and gained a majority of 145 seats. 1947), Corelli Barnett's Audit of War criticised how and failed to outline their Outcome. Labours changes, The Spectator wrote: The conservatives of The party's manifesto was named. Labour to the Conservatives - was enough to tip Labour out of office in the general election held in October 1951. Technicalities. Churchill however made a gross error in saying that Labour would need a Gestapo like organisation to enforce socialism upon Britain. Hugh Dalton's administration of the Hi there, would you like to get such a paper? Reply 1 7 years ago A TSR George OP There are three main sub-categories for this answer; the Conservatives strengths, Labours weaknesses/ limitations, and uncontrollable factors. The new Chancellor Sir Stafford Cripps expected of the country an austere realism which entailed the retention of rationing. Want to create your own Mind Maps for free with GoConqr? As a response to the housing problem, Dalton committed to building one million new homes, 80% of which were council houses to be rented cheaply to those who most needed them. Between 1948 and the election year 1950, Labour was committed to a period of tighter spending and more austere demands placed upon citizens. Granted, in 45 Labour obviously won a landslide of the seats, but a majority of 8% is far from a landslide of the votes. The popularity of the 1942 Beveridge Report, which laid much of the groundwork for the establishment of the NHS and the Welfare State, was an endorsement of Labour politics. However by 1945 Labour was a strong, organised and well respected party, whilst the Conservatives were weakened by the war and internal splits. hoped for, Marshall Aid 1948 Just by losing a core of middle class voters, Labour lost a great many marginal contests and most particularly in the well-to-do constituencies of southern and south-eastern England. years, Once lend lease had ended in 1945 (end of Developments during the war made a considerable contribution towards the shift to the left, with more support for collectivism and rationing. however we spent the time on social reform. There are several causes which can be established, first by looking at the events of the Attlee years and then isolating those points at which factors were working toward the party's defeat.The 1945-1946 period of Labour government sought to address some key difficulties facing the nation following World War II. The war had undoubtedly played a major role in the elections, being seen as a people's war it broke down social boundaries and caused a shift to the left. Firstly, the party enacted most of its initial 1945 manifesto pledges in establishing the NHS, founding the Welfare State, and building one million new homes. Jeremy Corbyn. Although progress was initially slow on this front, one million houses were eventually built and the housing problem was eased for a while. Their wartime experience in government was critical in catalysing trust and support for the party and its MPs who had proven themselves. This committed the UK government to keeping the value of sterling at a stable rate against the US dollar, and this meant that the governments hands were tied as they sought to address Britains balance of payments deficit by means of international trade. large amounts in payouts, Labours 1950 manifest included A defeated conservative MP at the time, Macmillan, claimed that . This people's war was very beneficial to Labour in warming people to socialist ideologies, and their belief on the war being not just a fight against the fascist Germany, but a struggle for a prosperous post-war Britain was welcomed by the electorate. While it cannot be disputed that Labour kept their campaign simple, it would be ill-advised to declare that it helped enormously. Conservative In the 1951 election, which party focused mainly on past successes? Cost of Living KOREAN WAR Austerity LINK TO COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE - cost of heating, clothing, education and food (and other necessities) was increasing; dissatisfaction amongst the people - defense spending increased whilst public spending decreased; led to NHS prescription charges Why did Labour lose the 1951 election? This large Parliamentary shift, in the face of an unremarkable swing in the popular vote, can be attributed partly to Labours loss of the middle class vote. In realising that the quality of life was far more important to the public than any other factor, the Conservatives promised to build 300,000 houses a year, although they did admit in their manifesto that not much could be done to lessen the strain of rationing in 1951. ministers to show their political competence, Work of Butler in transforming the Hardly surprisingly. She believed that Social changes should come To the most left-wing Labour MPs and enthusiasts, this was a betrayal of socialist solidarity; on the other hand, to many more involved with the party this represented subservience to US demands. To gain an understanding of the election one must study the context surrounding the election. Why did labor lose the 1951 election? The party's manifesto was named Mr Churchill's Declaration of Policy to the Electorate, in the hope of taking advantage of Churchill's huge popularity. Clement Attlee was leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955, and served as Britain's Prime Minister from 1945 to 1951. Once more, it was the objection of the middle class voters to austere conditions which brought about the Parliamentary swing. The party had achieved many of the reforms put forward in their 1945 manifesto, most noteably the implementation of the welfare state, and now lacked new policy ideas. Between 1948 and the election year 1950, Labour was committed to a period of tighter spending and more austere demands placed upon citizens. league at peak had 100,000 The first-past-the-post system ensures that the elected government has a workable majority. This was an admittedly small majority, but reflected a changing public mood. As Labour struggled to legislate effectively, and following another badly-handled balance of payments crisis in the summer of 1951, Attlee dissolved Parliament in September and Labour subsequently lost albeit narrowly the October election. Furthermore, an apparently humiliating trade policy including subservience to US demands was particularly discrediting in the eyes of post-colonialists who identified this as betrayal rather than pragmatism. Why did the Labours lose even their historic strongholds? However, in 1951 they could only manage 109 candidates, gaining just over 700,000 votes (2.6% of entire vote). The Conservative Party made some political headway by attacking the governments credentials with regard to the 1948 devaluation of the pound, which was designed to bring about the much needed rise in exports. By 1951, there were already heavy pressures on health spending. The Bevanites, being more left-wing, wanted to focus Britains resources on further nationalisation of industry. plural voting- 1948 This split caused to distinct groups to form within Labour; th. Gaitskell, would gut defence expenditure by 400 authority, 1950-1951 labelled as an It is at this point that the switch from socialist idealism to pragmatic consolidation might be identified as a cause of voter disaffection. The year 1947 brought an abrupt end to the honeymoon, as the government was forced to shift focus from massive reform to crisis management in response to fuel and trade shortages. The need for a better post war Britain was felt amongst all classes and Labour's support of the Beveridge Report brought widespread support. Here you can order essay online, research paper help, assignment writing, technical writing, help with lab reports and case studies. The Road Manifesto 1950 accepted Instead, this 1947 balance of payments crisis compounded by the fuel shortage and the convertibility clause forced Labour to rein in spending. In 1945 Labour had won 11.99m (47.8%) of the vote, and went on to attain 13.95m (48.8%) of the vote in 51. 'Labour Lost the 1979 Uk General Election Due to the Strength of the Conservative Opposition'. Secondly, the split right at the very top of the party meant that organisational preparations for upcoming elections were hampered, and the electoral machine was disarmed. Labours answer focused on working class interests. Economic problems e.g. Then, as the Cripps years failed to bring an end to food scarcities and food queues, Labours perceived impact upon the national way of life was minimal to voters in the most crucial swinging constituencies. 1951 General Election Why did the Conservatives win the 1951 General Election? It was the first election in which Labour gained a majority of seats and the first in which it won a plurality of votes. Unpopular policies like high taxes. social reform and nationalisation. Just by losing a core of middle class voters, Labour lost a great many marginal contests and most particularly in the well-to-do constituencies of southern and south-eastern England. Conservative opposition fell off quickly, however, when the popularity of the NHS became increasingly apparent following its inception in 1946. This brought about a little unrest within working class support but it was the effect on middle class attitudes and the cracks opening among the Parliamentary partys support which began to harm electoral credibility. Extremely cold weather met with insufficient stockpiles of coal, and much industry ground to a halt as a result. Why didn't Labour win the election 1948 Representation of the People Act What was the name of the 1948 law which changed constituency boundaries Liberal Party What party saw their vote fall from 2.6 million to 730,556 Sets with similar terms POLS 315 Exam 3 67 terms Leiigit_Kae American Gov Unit 4 Exam 91 terms Alexis_Martyn45 - NEW The 1942 Beveridge Report was the most important report that contributed to Labour's success in 1945. 25 October 1951 The ageing Conservative leader Winston Churchill won the 1951 election with a comfortable majority. People had lost trust in the conservatives and blamed them for Britains military short-comings, and this was important for Labours rise in support. Finally, splits over the Korean War both over the political justifications for British deployment, and over the cuts in public spending domestically brought about splits in the party which made it poorly placed to fight the 1951 election. Bevin's speech 1948 where he referred to support for the party. Best Answer Copy Labour lost to various reasons, the main ones being: The Winter of Discontent, the miscalculations that James Callaghan made and the appeal of Thatcher to voters. You need to log in to complete this action! The Conservatives' campaign focused on Churchill and international relationships rather than any major new reforms that the electorate so desperately wanted. This split was a key moment in the demise of Attlees government. Looking at the Labour government in these four sections of reform, of crisis, of consolidation and of division helps us to see where the party lost its huge majority. Instead, this 1947 balance of payments crisis compounded by the fuel shortage and the convertibility clause forced Labour to rein in spending. This people's war was very beneficial to Labour in warming people to socialist ideologies, and their belief on the war being, not just a fight against the fascist Germany, but a struggle for a prosperous post-war Britain. His frugality extended to his welfare policies, which involved the further tightening of benefit payments. Labour paper the Tribune, Paul Adleman points out Also during the 1930s Britain suffered the great depression, which weakened the Conservatives reputation considerably due to their domination of the National Government. 1.5 billion from Canada Whilst in 1951 the Labour government was punished for its unrealistic promises made in 1945. This brought about a little unrest within working class support but it was the effect on middle class attitudes and the cracks opening among the Parliamentary partys support which began to harm electoral credibility. The war had played a crucial role in Labours 1945 victory, by bringing them into the public eye - they were left effectively to their own devices to rule the homefront as Churchill struggled on with the war effort. Named Let Us Face the Future, it emphasised that Labour were the only party that could be trusted to deliver a strong Britain and Beveridge's plans. Rather, the balance of payments problem forced the non-idealists within the leadership to face the necessary curtailing of public spending. The 1945-1946 period of Labour government sought to address some key difficulties facing the nation following World War II. year ect. Maybe not the most important factor, but definitely worth noting, is the fact that the UK employs a first-past-the-post electoral system. Within the Cabinet, Gaitskells decision to expand the defence budget at the expense of domestic spending enraged health minister Nye Bevan in particular, who resigned as a response to the Korean deployment. Overall, it was the first-past-the-post system that won Labour their 'landslide' victory in 1945 and in 1951 allowed the Conservatives to win despite polling less votes. While Labour managed to retain much working class support largely because of the role class identification was playing in determining partisan support at this time the middle class had quickly become disaffected. The first years, between 1945 and 1946, saw fervour for rapid reform in many areas of government. For all of my fellow A2 AQA historians out there, I hope this helps! Little did Provow know at the time, but "Castle Bravo" and the five other tests he witnessed would have a direct effect on his health and the health of his friends he was serving on the . The changes appear to have been hugely beneficial to the majority of the population. These party reforms and the reorganisation proved worthwhile, as can be seen in the 8% boost in votes. In the summer of 1950, the Korean War broke out. Looking at the Labour government in these four sections of reform, of crisis, of consolidation and of division helps us to see where the party lost its huge majority. rather than 0% sects ( religion/ groups), Issue in Iran with Oil efiniry nationalised, wasn't handles, Election results 1951 Majority of party until after the election on the grounds of "morality" which was the These acts included the reforms set out in the Beveridge plan, various other reforms and nationalisation. It was not Churchill who lost the 1945 election, it was the ghost of Neville Chamberlain. second - 1986. The electorate clearly did not see it this way though, believing that the Labour party had lied to them, this feeling of betrayal saw many voters return to the reliable Conservatives in the 1951 election. commons meant that there was an Since 2015, the problem of electoral 'bias' means Westminster's voting system has advantaged the Conservatives. my could least handle it, and Labour was blamed by a weary public in 1951. The population was also swelling, not to mention the return of service men and women from abroad, and the total number of properties in Britain had fallen by over 700,000 due to bomb damage. These problems, however, would have been inherent to any government of Britain at the time, but the fact was, Labour were held accountable. The labour Government of 1945-51 passed, in total, 347 acts of parliament. Labour had 13, 948, 605 votes Conservatives had 13, 717, 538 votes Liberals had 730, 556 votes Why did the Conservatives win if Labour had more votes? Having been given such a considerable mandate to rebuild the country in 1945, the Attlee post-war government lost popular support considerably over the next six years. His frugality extended to his welfare policies, which involved the further tightening of benefit payments. Assess the Validity of This View. Conservative pre-war blunders played a key role in Labour's victory due to the electorate remembering these mistakes. response of Tory MP to Conservatives 290, 1950-51 Labour were in office Furthermore, an apparently humiliating trade policy including subservience to US demands was particularly discrediting in the eyes of post-colonialists who identified this as betrayal rather than pragmatism. Although progress was initially slow on this front, one million houses were eventually built and the housing problem was eased for a while. failing industries. Pearce's reinterpretation argument makes the most sense because policies like appeasement were relatively popular at the time. How about receiving a customized one? There are several causes which can be established, first by looking at the events of the Attlee years and then isolating those points at which factors were working toward the partys defeat. nationalisation of a 'ragbag After the shock of the 1945 election, Labour appointed Lord Woolton as their party chairman: he was central to the revitalisation of the Conservatives and reorganised the conservative party effectively. In the summer of 1950, the Korean War broke out. The 1946 National Health Service Act provided free access to a range of hospital and general practitioner services across the country. This is considered an important factor in Labour's victory by many historians Support for Labour in 1945 represented above all a reaction against pre-war Conservatism argues Adelman. of cold war era), Violence broke out in India and Paliastine during decolonisation, Sectarian violence - Violence Conservative pre-war blunders played a key role in Labour's victory due to the electorate remembering these mistakes. Just over a year later, with the Labour government in deep internal crisis and running out of steam, yet another election was called. Labour had made so many promises before the 1945 election that peoples hopes were set too high, many felt that Labour failed to deliver. future plans, Budget of 1951 heavily criticised by assortment of industries', Following clause IV Gaitskell had imposed upon the health service prescription charges for glasses and false teeth, which to Bevan and other NHS idealists represented the betrayal of NHS founding principals. e Bevanites and the Gaitsgillites. achievements - 200,000 homes built a Labour's popularity was also dented by their foreign policy, in granting sovereignty to some of Britain's most successful colonies Labour were seen as dissembling an empire that had taken hundreds of years to attain. As Prime Minister, he enlarged and improved social services and the public sector in post-war Britain, creating the National Health Service and nationalising major industries and public utilities. In the years prior to 1959, many had expected Labour to win the next election. spring of 52' due to the Kings tour of Australia it hit the party at a Then, in the summer of 1947, problems arose with the US war loan to be paid to the British government, in the form of the convertibility clause. propaganda, The view that another Labour The Labour party had suffered after 10 years in government, and their MPs had begun falling ill, some even dying. Arguments within the labour party. For me, the Attlee government(s) of 1945 - 51, achieved a huge amount, much of which we can still see and experience today, and which we sh. Similarly, Labour simply made too many promises that were out of their reach, however they did fulfil most of their promises.
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