Post-War Consensus and Social Change 1951–1964

The period 1951–1964 is often described as the era of "consensus politics" — a period when both major parties broadly accepted the mixed economy, the welfare state, full employment, and the Atlantic alliance. This lesson examines the Conservative governments of Churchill, Eden, Macmillan, and Douglas-Home, the social transformation of the 1950s and early 1960s, and the historiographical debates about whether "consensus" is an accurate description of post-war politics.

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The Conservative Return to Power (1951)

The Conservatives won the 1951 general election with 321 seats to Labour's 295 — despite Labour winning more total votes (approximately 13.9 million to 13.7 million). Churchill returned as Prime Minister at the age of 76.

Conservative Acceptance of the Welfare State

The key question for the incoming government was whether it would dismantle Labour's welfare state. The answer was that it largely accepted and maintained it.