Conservative domination, 1951-64

Why did the Conservatives win the 1951 election? was it Conservative strength, Labour weakness, or was it the electoral system? Labour polled more seats than Conservatives in the 1951 election, yet won fewer seats due to the first-past-the-post system Poor performance of the Liberal party - many ex-Liberals turned to the Conservatives Labour increased their popular vote by over 2 million after 1945, but Conservatives increased by 4 million How important were Labour's Weaknesses? As Labour failed in their two administrations of 1945-50 and 1950-51, it can be seen as the reason for their failure in this election However the Labour party's overall votes were higher than the Conservatives in the 1951 election Labour party vote's were the highest polled by a party in British politics Government achieved a lot and laid down political principles to be followed until 1979 However the Labour party was not as strong as it used to be Number of areas in the party and their policies where the public felt dissatisfied  Most of cabinet were exhausted from dealing with post-war difficulties and financial problems Associated with policies of austerity, rationing and higher taxation - public wanted this to end Labour took Britain into the Korean War in 1950-53 which added to financial strains Party was divided Division clearly seen in the imposition of charges to dental treatment, prescriptions and glasses - undermined principle of NHS being free  This and the reduction of Labour's majority to 5 in the 1950 election encouraged MP's to voice concerns on economic and foreign policies This widened the gap between the right and the left Labour appeared internally divided Conservatives had recovered from defeat in 1945 and reorganised  How important were Conservatives strengths? Wrong to assume votes were against Labour Party Had positives in their campaign Took advantage of Labour weaknesses after the shocking Conservative loss in 1945 Lord Woolton - reformed party finances to allow them to challenge Labour as stronger Woolton aided by Maulding, a young politician, who gave new ideas and dynamism  Attractive programme Promised the build of 300,000 houses a year - housing shortage at the time Labour promised 200,000 houses a year Promised more 'red meat' at a time where meat was strictly rationed Not reverse Labour's achievements - committed to Welfare State After innovation, Conservatives would consolidate  1945, nation had abandoned the party associated with appeasement, but in 1951 had abandoned the party associated with austerity Churchill still a popular figure - wanted to thank him for winning the war thus voting Conservative   How important was the electoral system? Labour polled over 200,000 seats more than Conservatives but won 26 fewer seats  Nature of the British electoral system In 1945, Labour only needed 30,000 votes for each seat In 1951, Labour needed 47,000 votes for each seat Whereas in 1945, Conservatives needed 46,000 votes for each seat In 1951, Conservatives only needed 42,000 votes for each seat First-past-the-post system Labour won votes in safe seats Conservatives won many of the marginal Labour seats Boundary changes brought about by 1948 Representation of the People Act Labour had to win 2% more of the popular vote to win same number of seats because of redistribution of seats The redistribution of seats resulted in some of their seats becoming marginal or increased number of votes they could win in already safe seats The decline in the Liberal party Worse for Labour Liberal party fell from 2.6 million votes in 194 to 730,000 votes in 1951 many ex-Liberals turned to the Conservative party thus Labour lost marginal seats   Labour remained out of office for the next 13 years Lost 2 further elections

Why were the Conservatives able