maintenance of consensus politics

• Why did the conservatives dominate the conservative periods of 1951 - 1964?

  Didn't dismantle the popular economic and social policies of the previous labour government (1945 - 51 )

  Kept a consensus policy with Labour
• Why did the two parties force the post-war consensus?

  Post war realities - 'Hungry 30's', large unemployment rates, the great depression, WW2 caused for reconstruction, created for a new sense of purpose

  Economic pragmatism - Both parties recognised mixed economy (private business and state controlled) promotes social + economic benefits

  Electoral consideration - political central ground required for winning elections lead to both to promote popular policies
• What was one of the nationalised industries maintained under Atlee's ideas in 1946?

  Bank of England
• Which industry was nationalised in 1947 under Atlee's government?

  Coal
• How was nationalisation reformed by the conservatives during the 1951-64 period?

  Churchill and Macmillan upheld the labour's government's nationalisation policies made after 1945.

  Churchill's return to power in 51 didn't seek to moderate state control

  Macmillan continued same approach - maintained nationalised industries (coal and railway)

  Did differ by imitating privatisation of steel in 53 - British steel act, and transport act 1953

  Shift from labours expansive idea of nationalisation

  Results were mixed resulting in job losses and reduced government oversight
• How was the economy reformed by the conservative period?

  Mixed economy: Both politicians supported a balance between nationalised industries and private enterprises

  Welfare state: both believed in maintaining social welfare programs like the NHS and social security

  Keynesian economics: Both endorsed using government intervention to manage economic demand and ensure full employment
• What was the economics magazine?

  Well-respected weekly magazine known in-depth analysis of global political and economic issues.

  Introduced a fictional character Mr. Butskell in 1954 - Used to satirise and highlight the convergence of economic policies between the conservatives and labour

  Character blend between - R.A Butler (Conservative chancellor of the Exchequer) and Hugh gaitskell (Previous labour chancellor) merging economic policies and ideas.
• What were some of the differences between the labour and conservatives and economic policies?

  Labour - took serious measures due to economic challenges, war debts and food shortages

  Included rationing policies

  Basic rate of income tax were high

  Prices for utilities and public transport were kept controlled

  Conservatives - taxes reduced making the top rate 85%.

  Food rationing was abolished by 1954

  Frequently reduced the interest rates, encouraged people to borrow money to buy houses and consumer goods

  Macmillan's era of 'you never had it so good' sustained economic growth
• What were the relations like with trade unions?

  It was approached with cooperation and negotiation, similar to labour's recognition of unions in representing workers.

  Conservatives supported collective bargaining and maintained industrial peace

  Tensions were seen though as during the suez crisis and industrial disputes

  Trade union act 1959, introduced stricter rules on picketing reducing power of union power which labour generally supported more

  Showed the differences between labour and showing the inclination of conservative sides.
• What was the 1959 trade union act?

  Picketing must be peaceful, allowed to gather and demonstrate but not be violent

  Picketing restricted to persuading others to abstain from working or entering a particular workplace.

  Limited locations where picketing could take place, mostly allowed near entrance

  Implied that the number of pickets should be reasonable to maintain public order and safety