1
Thirteen wasted years or Youve 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

2
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

3
Conservatives in Power 1951-1964
Social Changes Comparative Prosperity
Poor Labour manifesto
Reduced competition
Labour divisions
Bad time for Labour
Conservatives appealing manifesto
Why did the Conservatives Win?
4
Conservatives in Power 1951-1964
Prosperity Under the Conservatives
The 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.
5
Conservatives in Power 1951-1964
Macmillan as Prime Minister
Restore unity self confidence
International relationships
General Election victory
Tax cuts
Investment in manufacture
Working week reduced
Never had it so good
6
Conservatives in Power 1951-1964
1959 General Election
Majority of 100 over the Labour Party
Focus on prosperity living standards
Hailed as Supermac
Conservatives lead by 7
Excellent Conservative result
Labour vote down by 189 000
7
Conservatives in Power 1951-1964
Problems in the Labour Party
The 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

Bevans resignation
Criticisms of party policy
Bevan was seen as a leader to other left-wing MPs
Bevan v Morrison deputy leadership
Defiance of party orders
Bevan v Gaitskell - treasureship
Bevan resigns from Shadow Cabinet

• Party organisation

Bevan v Gaitskell - leadership
8
Conservatives in Power 1951-1964
Summary of Labour Problems
Labour Party problems can be summarized as

• Internal feuding

• Clash of personalities

• Bitter disputes over policy and principles

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