To what extent can Labour's defeat in the 1951 election be attributed to party divisions?

Income tax rose by 6d in the £ and there were charges to spectacles and dentures. Bevan, Freeman and Wilson resigned as a result of this.

Sudden decline of Liberals - after failure of 1950 election they could only get 109 seats. Therefore fight between Labour and Conervatives. Many votes went Conservatives as did not like higher taxes and economic mismanagement.

War forced a £4700m rearmament

Exports up rapidly, and the Govt reduced restrictions on imports - balance of payments crisis as imports needed to meet rearmament demands. Offset economic recovery. Devaluation of £ meant imports were more expensive, so as Britain heavily reliant on imports costs rose.

Wage demands increased, loss of confidence from investors forced to reinstate import controls. Mismanagement impression given

Korean War also reasons for income tax rises, party divisions

Housebuilding programme - 300k more than 200k Labour offered

Lower taxes

Churchill's experience in world affairs to deal with dangerous situations abroad

 End to import contols

Negative campaigning, accusing Churchill of war mongering and bringing back 1930's unemployment

Labour had 48.8% of the vote, Conservatives had 48% vote. But 321 Con seats, only 295 for Labour. 

Soldiers vote important, but only have 9% overall