Reasons for Conservative decline

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  • Created by: Howzat
  • Created on: 09-05-18 13:59

Reasons for Conservative decline before Labour get

Stagflation (High unemployment and high prices).

Nearly 900,000 people were unemployed by 1963!

GB growth at 2.3% while France 4.3% and Germany 5.1%. Feels good but still behind other world powers.

STOP-GO led to problems. Thorneycroft (Chancellor) resigned in 1958 over Government spending.

By 1964, the government debt was at £800M which is simply too much.

Socialist surge- 1960 Bevin dies and in 1963 Gaitskell (Labour Leader) dies leading to Wilson becoming PM who added life and positivity to the Labour Party. Wilson had a Yorkshire accent which made him different and unique compared to other MP's and also went to a Grammar School.

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Reasons for Conservative decline 2

Scandels- 

Loss of trust in the establishment. Leadership questioned. Issues of national security. 

October 1962- Macmillan sacked Chancellor Selwyn Lloyd and then sacked 1/3rd of his cabinet which shows how much conflict and negativity there was within the party.

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