Why did Churchill lose office in 1945?

• main reason for Churchill losing office in 1945


  considerable interest in post-war change- many voters were sceptical that the conservatives would actually deliver key reforms. the party was also criticised for their seeming indifference to high unemployment in the 1930s
• other reasons for Churchill losing office

  • wartime reports and prospects offered to the working classes
  • faults of the conservatives
  • Churchill himself
  • the USSR
  • social mobility produced by the war
• significance of the wartime reports in the election 


  the wartime reports offered much better prospects for the working classes, for example the Beveridge Report of 1942. it was generally thought that Labour would be most likely to implement these changes
• previous faults of the conservatives 


  they were blamed for the ‘hungry decade’ of the 1930s and also for appeasement. Labour offered a progressive manifesto for change and were seen as proponents of collective security and supporters of Churchill in 1940
• impact of the USSR 


  their great achievements pointed to greater economic control and social reform by the state, something that Labour with its socialist origins promised to deliver
• social mobility produced by the war 


  the war had produced more social mobility, as men of ability were promoted in the forces. many wanted to ensure that there was greater opportunity for ordinary people. during the war, women had once again taken on key roles in previously male-dominated occupations. many saw a vote for labour as a vote for a less class-ridden Britain
• Labour and Conservative performance in the 1945 election 


  Labour=47.7% votes

  Conservative=36.2% votes

  Labour=62.4% seats

  Conservative=30.8% seats