1951 General Election

The 1951 Election 

Labour decided to hold another election in October 1951, even though they had a big majority. The gov had faved problems abroad with the Korean War starting in 1950. This forced a rearmament programme costing £4,700 million and likely to increase. 

The Chancellor, Hugh Gaitskell, introduced big taxes and income tax rose by 6d and there were charges for the NHS dentures and spectacles. This led to the resignation of Bevan, Freeman and Harold Wilson and usease in the party. 

Exports had been rising rapidly and the gov had restrictions on imports. British companies needed imports…