2. ‘Thirteen wasted years’ or ‘You’ve never had it so good’? The Conservation Party were in power from 1951 – 1964 1951-55 Churchill 1955-57 Eden 1957-63 Macmillan 1963-4 Douglas-Home

3. Why did the Conservatives Remain in Power from 1951-1964? Social changes & comparative prosperity of the 1950s Macmillan as Prime Minister Problems in the Labour Party

4. Conservatives in Power 1951-1964 Social Changes & Comparative Prosperity 1951 General Election Why did the Conservatives Win? Bad time for Labour Poor Labour manifesto Conservatives’ appealing manifesto Labour divisions Reduced competition

5. Conservatives in Power 1951-1964 Prosperity Under the Conservatives The Conservatives were criticised for being unable to produce high sustained economic growth. However it cannot be denied that economic prosperity was seen and this made them popular with the electorate. The economy grew Low inflation Low unemployment Rise in general affluence Economic planning Increase in exports and consumer spending Their success is more notable because external factors made the climate harsh and competitive.

6. Conservatives in Power 1951-1964 Macmillan as Prime Minister Why was Macmillan so successful? Restore unity & self confidence Tax cuts Investment in manufacture Working week reduced International relationships General Election victory Never had it so good

7. Conservatives in Power 1951-1964 1959 General Election Conservatives lead by 7% Focus on prosperity & living standards Excellent Conservative result Majority of 100 over the Labour Party Labour vote down by 189 000 Hailed as ‘Supermac’ Conservative Victory

8. Conservatives in Power 1951-1964 Problems in the Labour Party The 1951 General Election confirmed the domination of the two main parties. Therefore when problems arose in the Labour Party, popularity with the Conservatives increased. Leadership problems The BevanitesBevan’s resignation Criticisms of party policy Bevan was seen as a leader to other left-wing MPs Defiance of party orders Party organisation Bevan v Morrison – deputy leadership Bevan v Gaitskell - treasureship Bevan resigns from Shadow Cabinet Bevan v Gaitskell - leadership

9. Conservatives in Power 1951-1964 Summary of Labour Problems Labour Party problems can be summarized as: Internal feuding Clash of personalities Bitter disputes over policy and principles A combination of external factors (Labour problems) and internal successes (‘Supermac’) kept the Conservatives in power through three elections (1951, 1955 & 1959). They managed to appeal to the electorate with their focus on raising living standards and providing a time where people ‘never had it so good’. Solutions to the main domestic issues were presented well and people really did believe that life was better with the Conservatives. Conclusion - Why did the Conservatives remain in power from 1951-1964?