BH - 1950s Conservatives triumphs

1951 Churchill back in power, though the majority was less than 20... Economic crisis sparked by costs of Korean War

Economic condition and rapid rates of growth in 50s, claimed to be the work of Butler however it was largely due to international economy after the end of the Korean war

Economy grew fast enough to allow reduction of taxes, increased spending on welfare simaltaeneously AND full employment

Macmillan fulfilled 300,000 houses promise (reduced council house sizes)

Encouragement of home ownership and made easier to purchase, Churchill ended rationing and gave way to the leadership of Eden (Churchills health was diminishing)

1955 campaign was as expected, it simply emphasised prosperity + internal division within Labour party further hurt their chances

Gained a 58 seat majority, and broadcasted on the television and radio

Internal doubts about him, he was emotionally unsuited for leadership and nervous

He didnt have the confidence of colleagues, he was indecisive and Conservative fortunes were flagging before the Suez crisis

Liberals made inroads in by-elections, middle class over taxes/inflation - high interest rates hit homeowners with employers raising industrial wages above the rate of inflation

Suez crisis erupted and he took a risky action, this worked while the country was at war and its party regained a sense of unity -> Anglo-French invasion of Egypt bvrought discontent by the Americans meaning Britain withdrew - it made Eden seem weak 

Eden took a break, the succeeder was in question - Butler was a senior figure but MacMillan had the academics, after the economy dipped in 1955 the blame was put on Butler, Butler didnt serve in the war due to a bad arm, Butler was known as an appeaser during war, Butler kept quiet during Suez crisis - the majority of the cabinet after Edens resignation chose MacMillan too

Conservatives were defiant in defeat, and MacMillan was able to focus on a new agenda so its back was turnt on the Suez crisis in a calm manner

1957-59 was the peak point of affluence, it delievered low taxes and higher public spending

'Most of our people never had it so good', economic difficultires many the Cabinet aware of underlying problems in the economy

High public spending, low taxes + inflation, higher standards of living and full employments were simaltaeneously possible

Economic management led to an internal argument and resignation of Treasury ministerial team in 1958, Peter Thorneycroft resisnged after his colleague reguse dto cut the last 50 mil off the budget reduction targets which could felate the economy

By-election defeats + resignations was a low point

The economy then entered another boom, the government faced down the London Bus strikes, domestic affluence meant a successful election

Macmillan mastered television, addresed his own image, and his approval in polls rose + the party paid more attention to opinion polls and campaigned through media 

1959 majority increased to 100 seats, no PM ever had it so good, earning the title 'Supermac'