The Conservatives and the Post-war Consensus

The Conservatives and the Post-war Consensus

1. Several sharp policy differences between the parties but broad lines of convergence

2. The central issue was a mixed economy

   • Labour had shown they didn't want all-out socialism and accepted private enterprise and capitalism.
   • Although the Conservatives were quick to denationalise the steel industry and road transport in 1951, they left the rest of Labour's nationalisations alone.

3. Other key themes

   • Legacy of national unity and cooperation left by the war - wartime coalition ministers.
   • Idea of what Nigel Lawson called 'big government' - need for government intervention in social and economic policies.
   • Importance of maintaining full employment - bitter memories of the 1930s contributed to Labour landslide victory in '45.
     • Conservatives anxious to avoid been seen once again as the 'party of mass unemployment'.
   • Importance of trade unions. Unions made stronger during the war and by nationalisation. Conservatives wanted a cooperative relationship.
   • Popularity of Labour's welfare reforms, esp. NHS - many Conservatives were much less hostile to the welfare state.
   • Conservative majority was slender. Did not feel in a strong enough position to dismantle Attlee's legacy if they'd wanted to. This didn't please the party faithful at grassroots level, many of whom opposed the consensus.