1951-55 Churchill Conservative

• Conservative Government led by Churchill

  1951-5
• Election


  1951
• Election results 1951


  • Conservative 48%
  • Labour 49%
  • Liberals 2%
• Labour called a snap election as their 1950 majority was very narrow and prevented them from passing legislation, it was a disaster as the conservatives won
• Butskellism

  R.A.Butler's policies were closely aligned to Labour's Gaitskell, essentially Keynesian principles in action, in response to the grave balance of payments and 'dollar gap', Butler responded with import controls, cutting travel allowances and raising the Bank Rate, following the boom in 1952-3 starting in America due to the end of the Korean War, Butler cut income and purchase tax which were popular decisions that improved standards of living, economic growth was stimulated through creating and maintaining full employment
• Harold Macmillan as Minister of Housing


  Had radical ideas, in 1950 conservatives pledged 300,000 houses per year and in 1952-3 this target was exceeded as 318,750 houses were built, reduced building standards and private housing restrictions were eased, private housing increased 30% as well
• Education

  Became neglected economically due to Florence Horsbrugh as Minister of Education, the limitations of the tripartite system became more clear as technical schools were not built and Horsbrugh made cuts to the education budget rather than increased funding
• Harold Macmillan


  Became Minister of Housing and had radical ideas
• Churchill and other ministers were critical of Horsbrugh's approach