Retreat From New Jerusalem: British Politics, 1951-64 (british Studies Series)

Thirteen wasted years'? Or the dawn of a new 'affluent society'? This book explores which description more appropriately fits the era of Conservative government in Britain after 1951. The author assesses the changing fortune of successive administrations under Churchill, Eden, Macmillan and Douglas-Home. He also analyses broader questions such as post-war 'decline', the nature of 'consensus politics' and the electoral effects of Britain's entrenched class system. In the first major stuy to have access to all official papers for 1951-64, Dr Jefferys provides a fresh critique of a key period in British political history. Presents the first major study of the era of Conservative government in Britain after 1951 drawing on full access to official papers for the period. Charts the changing fortunes of government and opposition under successive Tory Prime Ministers, and analyzes broader concepts such as the idea of postwar economic decline, the nature of consensus politics, and the electoral impact of Britain's class system. Includes b&w newspaper cartoons from the 1950s-60s. For all those interested in the development of contemporary British society. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-8 Setting Britain Free, 1951–5....Pages 9-34 ‘The best prime minister we have’, 1955–7....Pages 35-58 ‘Never had it so good’, 1957–9....Pages 59-84 ‘Mac: the end’, 1959–63....Pages 85-109 The Stagnant Society: Modernising Britain....Pages 110-130 The Opportunity State: Welfare Policy under the Tories....Pages 131-153 The Affluent Society: Popular Politics and Voting Patterns....Pages 154-175 Smart Alec vs Dull Alec, 1963–4....Pages 176-196 Conclusion....Pages 197-200 Back Matter....Pages 201-243 Kevin Jefferys. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [231]-237) And Index.