1.1 The labour Government (consensus) 1945-79

• Social Reforms


  Significant reforms implemented by the Labour government under Clement Attlee, including the establishment of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948, nationalization of key industries such as coal, railways, and electricity, and the creation of the welfare state
• Nationalization


  The government nationalized industries to varying degrees, aiming to ensure fairer distribution of wealth and resources and to increase efficiency and accountability
• Consensus Politics (1951-1979)


  The period from the early 1950s to the late 1970s, characterized by broad agreement among the major political parties on key economic and social policies
• Post-War Consensus


  The period from the early 1950s to the late 1970s, often referred to as the era of consensus politics
• Cross-Party Agreement


  • Both Labour and Conservative governments during this period generally adhered to the principles of Keynesian economics, which emphasized government intervention in the economy to manage demand and promote full employment
• Social Welfare


  • There was a continued commitment to the welfare state, with both parties maintaining and expanding social welfare programs such as healthcare, education, and housing
• Economic Growth


  • The post-war period saw sustained economic growth, with policies focused on maintaining high levels of employment and economic stability
• European Integration


  • Britain's entry into the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973 was a significant development during this period, reflecting a consensus among political elites on the benefits of European integration
• Political Challenges (Late 1960s-1970s)

  The late 1960s and 1970s were marked by increasing industrial unrest, economic decline, and the rise of political extremism, which undermined the consensus on economic policy and contributed to a sense of national decline
• Industrial Relations


  • Increasing industrial unrest, including strikes by trade unions demanding higher wages and better working conditions, with the government facing challenges in managing these conflicts and maintaining industrial peace
• Economic Decline


  • Britain experienced economic difficulties in the 1970s, including high inflation, rising unemployment, and a series of economic crises, which undermined the consensus on economic policy
• Rise of Political Extremism


  • The 1970s saw the emergence of groups such as the National Front on the far right and militant factions within trade unions on the left, posing challenges to the political establishment and contributing to social tensions
• Conservative Resurgence


  • The Conservative Party, under the leadership of Margaret Thatcher, began to challenge the consensus politics of the post-war period in the late 1970s, advocating for free-market policies, deregulation, and privatization as solutions to Britain's economic problems