1957: Why Macmillan and not Butler?

1957: Why Macmillan and not Butler?

1. It's often been suggested that Butler was 'the best PM we never had' - by '57, he had immense experience

   • Architect of the education reforms brought in by the wartime coalition government.
     • 1944 Education Act
   • Played a key role in reviatlising Conservative policies during the years of opposition after '45.
   • Chancellor in Churchill's government from '51.
   • When Eden was out of action through illness after Suez, Butler took over as acting PM.
   • Eden confidently expected Butler to be chosen as his successor, so did Butler.

2. Macmillan was a formidable rival

   • Made great political success as housing minister.
     • Delivered the ambitious 300,000 new houses a year promised in the '51 manifesto.
   • More of a showman than Butler.
   • Butler maybe just lacked the killer instinct - Macmillan certainly did not.

3. Main problem was that Butler wasn't nearly as popular in the Party as he was with the country

   • Vast majority of Eden's cabinet preferred Macmillan.
     • Only 3 supported Butler.
   • Many backbenchers resented Butler as 'too clever by half'.
     • A nevative intention, to 'Stop Butler', had an important influence.

4. Memories of appeasement and mass unemployment in the 1930s

   • Macmillan had been a dissenter over both issues.
     • Voted to remove Chamberlain in '40.
   • Butler, however, had been closely linked to the policy of appeasement.