Conservative Fall from Power: 1959-64

Question 1

What was the last election the conservatives would win in this period?

Answer 1

1959

Question 2

What was the major issue for the Conservatives?

Answer 2

They seemed out of touch, and did not seem representative of younger people and women

Question 3

I) What was the Night of the Long Knives?

II) How did it backfire

Answer 3

I) MacMillan purged most of his cabinet to introduce younger figures
II) It looked like the party was unorganised

Question 4

I) When was MacMillan replaced?

II) Who replaced him?

Answer 4

I) 1963

II) (Lord) Alec Douglas-Home

Question 5

What was the biggest social push against the government?

Answer 5

Satire

Question 6

What was a key example of Satire?

Answer 6

“Beyond the fringe”

Question 7

When did the show “That was the Week that Was” first air?

Answer 7

1962

Question 8

What was the general attitude to governments after WWII?

Answer 8

A general level of respect was shown

Question 9

Why was MacMillan’s replacement a blow to the conservatives

Answer 9

The method was seen as out of date and Douglas-Hume was not popular

Question 10

What was the Profumo affair of 1961?

Answer 10

A sex scandal involving minister for War John Profumo

Question 11

I) What was the Vassall Affair?

II) Why did this reflect badly on the conservatives specifically?

Answer 11

I) A Spy Scandle where Kim Philby (an MI6 agent) fled to the soviet union
II) They were the most hostile to the USSR