Politics-Early Conservatives Flashcards
Who won the 1951 UK election and what percentage of the vote did they get?
Conservative party with 48% of the vote, compared to Labours 48.8%, but winning due to the first past the post system.
Why was Churchill not the most attentive Prime minister to Britains domestic issues?
He belived he was above party politics, having crossed the floor twice, and thought of himself as an international specialist, spending a large amount of time abroad, rather than focusing on Britain itself. he also suffered many medical ailments, including a stroke that was covered up in 1953.
what was the post-war consensus?
It was the economic order and social model of which the major political parties in post-war Britain shared a consensus supporting view, from the end of World War II in 1945 to the late-1970s. This included things like the maintaining of the NHS, established under Attlee, as well as a united Keynesian economic focus of mainting low unemployment so as not to return to the 1930s.
What was Ted Heath, who was at the time Chief Whip of the Tory partys opinion on Edens handling of the Suez crisis.
He strongly condemned it, along with 40 mps who rebelled
Name some key aspects of the Post War consensus
Belief in mixed economy
Support for the NHS
Keeping low unemployment
Working with Trade Unions and employers
What Majority did Macmillan gain in the 1959 election?
Over 100 seats
Why was R.A. Butler not favoured for the Tory leadership in 1957
He had introduced Tax cuts shortly before the 1955 election, which then had to be reversed as the economy overheated (stop-go economics) He was also closley linked with the policy of Appeasement in the 1930s
How many homes did the Torys promise to build in their 1951 manifesto?
300,000
What book did George Orwell write as a direct response to the “Clean air act of 1956” that aimed to prevent the smog and pollution of the early 50s
1984-A book about how the government exercises complete control over its citizens’ lives, constantly monitoring and manipulating them to maintain its power(Joke)
Which two Labour ministers resigned over the introduction of prescription charges in the NHS?
Aneurin “Nye” Bevan and Harold Wilson
Name some key areas of Labour disagreement in the 50s
Issues over unilateral nuclear disarmament,(CND and Labour links) Issues over nationalisation Gaitskells attempt to abolish clause IV of the party constitution.
What was the Profumo affair?
The Profumo Affair was a scandal in the 1960s when a British government official-John Profumo had an affair with a woman (Christine Keeler)who was also linked to a Soviet spy. People were worried that classified information might have been leaked, and he had to quit his job.
Why did Macmillan finally retire?
Ill health with a major abdominal operation in 1963.
Who were the two expected candidates to replace Macmillan and who actually did so
Rab Butler and Lord Hailsham-however due to large opposition Lord Douglas Home actually succeeded him
What was the night of the long knives (1962)
A major cabinet reshuffle, carried out by Macmillan, dismissing 1/3rd, in order to reinvigorate the party and replace Lloyd as Ch of Exq, to Reginauld Maudling, who would be more amenable to Macmillans Economic policies
