Historiographical Debates: Consensus, Thatcherism, and Legacy

The history of modern Britain 1951–2007 is shaped by three great historiographical debates: the nature and reality of the post-war consensus, the meaning and impact of Thatcherism, and the question of national decline and renewal. This lesson examines these debates in depth, equipping students with the analytical tools needed for the highest-level A-Level essays.

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Debate 1: The Post-War Consensus

What Is the Consensus Thesis?

The consensus thesis argues that between approximately 1945 and 1979, both major parties broadly agreed on:

Element	Detail
The welfare state	The NHS, national insurance, and state education — maintained by all governments regardless of party
The mixed economy	Acceptance of both public and private ownership; no attempt to reverse the major nationalisations of 1945–51 (until Thatcher)
Full employment	Keynesian demand management to maintain unemployment below approximately 3%
Conciliation of trade unions	Treating the TUC as a "social partner" rather than an adversary
Foreign policy	NATO membership, the nuclear deterrent, decolonisation — bipartisan in broad outline

Key Historians