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Why did the Conservatives lose the 1964 election? (The appeal of Labour…
Why did the Conservatives lose the 1964 election?
Loss of popularity by the conservatives - people turn to liberals not labour
Douglas-Home's leadership
Conservative leader
seemed out of touch
-
'Traditional ideas' on empire
- seen as backwards looking so not a reformer
Britain no longer an empire, so needs to challenge economic comp on the world stage - social and industrial reforms needed
However more trustworthy than Wilson - consummate politician
Seen as honest, decent and hardworking (compared to Macmillan) - labours lead in polls decreases rapidly
'Match stick' analogy of economy by Home seen as not bright
people need a dynamic leader (wilson)
Shows naivity with regards to press
However, not majorly significant as he isn't running the economy - but press exploits 'stupidity'
Conservative tax cuts
accusations of '13 years wasted' and had fallen behind other countries, there was talk of inflation, unemployment and the decline in manufacturing areas - economic turn down
In reality, the C's had cut income tax in 1964 and unemployment fell
lower taxes = more money in pockets of people (more middle/working classes doing well)
stimulates consumer spending and increases economy
However, tax cuts were seen as favouring the wealthy
shows middle and working classes not important - unfair break (rich pay less tax, working/middle pay around the same) - increases liberal vote
lowers the govt's expenditure budget - most of the country is nationalised meaning less capital to aid these - budget cuts lead to workers from these govt run industries being laid off
Electorate's view of the conservatives
Loss of empire = loss of standing as world power
-
Wanted to join the EEC
as moving away from commonwealth
general public did not support this - still believed Britain should stand as world power
Suez Crisis - Eden in 1956
great failure for Britain and C's viewed as responsible
Tories had bad press over
Profumo scandal
- was the fact John profumo (minister of defence) lief to parliament
did not appear to have huge impact on traditional C supporters; older voters and when who were interviewed in opinion polls still preferred C's
C's viewed as having
little democracy
in party
Knight of the long knives
- Macmillan purges his cabinet due to economic pressure
Home not elected
- doesn't sit well with public
The appeal of Labour
Wilson was seen as a man of the people, who offered a break from the public school educated political leaders since 1945
however seen as consummate (devisive, self-serving and divided from his grass roots)
Not charismatic like Blair
Wilson's war time and academic record increased appeal
Wilson has excellent debating skills - people read about this in newspaper (good press influence)
Labour seemed
more united
, though few of them had experience in govt
Wilson appealed to those who wanted a more modern, scientific and tech Britain by appealing for economic planning and using
'tech rev'
to take Britain forward
unclear on 'tech rev'
didn't happen
Labour's campaign broader in appeal and well targeted unlike past
e.g. offered social progress, but did not stress nationalisation of industry which was unpopular
Wilson promotes Barbra Castle - strong women
shows he recognised talent - reflective of Labour's new view of Britain
Labour only won marginally.
Many voters concerned with Labour's left wing and the influence of TU's
Labour seen as dominated by unelected union leaders
Other factors
After 13 years it was time for a change - true for younger voters
Excitement about tech; space exploration; more opportunities to travel; more educational opportunities
L seemed more in tune with a new society
Many ex-C's voted liberal
marginal seats go to labour as mostly liberal
close due to this
Lower voter turnout - people do not make the effort to vote as they believed that labour was inevitable to win
reflection of post-war prosperity - do not feel they need to vote as they are content with the current state of affairs - close due to this
The growth of satire on TV and in the press and less respectful attitude to politician's
satirists poked fun at Wilson for his lower middle class habits and manners
Generally though, satire mocked C's which benefit labour
Why did Labour win 1964 election despite getting more votes in 1959?
Representation of the people act (1942) - change of electoral boundaries
due to many people leaving during war, they wanted to better represent the cities
leads to conservative victories in marginal seats - closer vote
Failure of liberal party leads to more marginal victories for C's
Labours taxation policies unpopular with middle classes led them to lose the 1959 election
Increase in liberal votes in 1964 meant that conservative vote decreased, therefore labour required less votes to win