Was British post-war consensus a myth during 1951-1979?
I depends how you look at it, there are certain time periods that determine this. 1951-1964 “The Age of Conservative Dominance” – As Labour is divided between Bevanites and Gaitskillites they can’t offer anything different to the Conservatives who have adopted their welfare state policies (although not all Conservatives were pleased) For an example of Consensus look at Churchill offering a Cabinet place to the Liberals 1964-1970 “The 1st Wilson Government” The Conservatives were overcome by Wilson offering something different from the 1950’s era consensus with the “white heat of technology” but little was achieved 1970-1974 “Teddy Heath” He breaks the consensus by trying to take on the Unions (resulting in two miners strikes and the 3 day week) His attempts to reform under the Selsdon Man program doesn’t pay off and he loses the General Election (marginally to Wilson) 1974-1976 – “2nd Wilson government” Carries on consensus 1976-1979 – “Callaghan and proto-Thatcherism” due to the need
