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?

Nature of the British electoral system

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

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Summary from the textbook.