Thirteen wasted years? Conservative governments 1951-64

Thirteen wasted years? Conservative governments 1951-64

“Thirteen wasted years.” How accurate is this statement as an assessment of the Conservative governments of 1951-1964? (25)

Though 1951-1964 was an age of growth and affluence, some would argue that the era was one of stagnation, with no real social change, little economic structure and Britain’s fading status as a world power. Living standards and employment both grew, but whether this can be accredited to the Conservative government or the post-war boom is disputable. Stop-go economics were particularly prevalent in this era with no real strategy and a growing balance of trade deficit. At this point in time we were reliant on our ‘special relationship’ with the USA both economically and militarily, and due to our lack of membership in the EEC, Europe’s growth was leaving us behind. Socially little changed, there was little social mobility and women were still expected to stay at home. The establishment was still rife in British politics and partisan alignment played the biggest role in shaping voting behavior. For Britain this was a time to adapt, we were no longer the world power, and financially could no longer afford our overseas colonies. Arguably the Conservatives biggest achievement in this era was making the transition of decolonisation run relatively smoothly. Undisputedly both social end economic progress in this era ‘could and should [have been] a whole lot better’ and perhaps this is why 1951-1964 is regarded as ‘thirteen wasted years’.

Despite of the shortcomings of the Conservative government 1951-1964 was an age of affluence and consumerism. There was a surge in living standards, with men’s weekly wages increasing from £8.30 in 1955 to £15.35 in 1961. This affluence brought an end to rationing in 1954 and kick started a massive surge in consumption. From 1957-1959 the number of households owning a television increased by 32%, house ownership also increased causing a national clear up of the slums, essentially modernising the streets of...

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