WI: Hung Parliament in 1951

[The Red]

The 1951 General Election was one of the closest in the British history. It marked the third encounter between wartime coalition partners Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee, the first in 1945 had led to the first Labour majority Government, the second had also been a Labour victory, but a far narrower one with Labours' huge majority being reduced to just four seats. In an attempt to increase his majority, partly based on the concerns of the King. Despite winning the popular vote, the Conservative party managed to win a small majority in the Commons. This would lead to an era of Conservative domination in British politics, one which would only end in 1964.

But what would have happened if the Conservatives had fallen a few seats short, with Labour holding on to seven or eight of the twenty seats they lost, and the Liberal party holding on to the two seats they lost to the Conservatives? Would Churchill have attempted to run a minority Government similar to the twenties, would Attlee? Or could the Liberals be persuaded by either party to form a coalition?

[Thande]

Minority government seems most likely at this point, and yet another election (which the electorate are probably heartily sick of) in 1952.

[The Red]

Originally Posted by Thande

Minority government seems most likely at this point, and yet another election (which the electorate are probably heartily sick of) in 1952.

I wonder how 1952 would have went, with no coronation and rationing still in place the Conservatives wouldn't have any feel good factor. I'd guess it would all rely on how well Labour can hang together.

[Derek Jackson]

I believe I heard that in otl Churchill offered a Cabinet post to Clement Davies despite comanding a Parliamentary majority

[stefanbl]

The Liberals joining up with the Conservitves in 1951 seems a plausible method of them going the way of the National Liberals

[The Red]

Originally Posted by Derek Jackson

I believe I heard that in otl Churchill offered a Cabinet post to Clement Davies despite comanding a Parliamentary majority

If memory serves the idea was that the Liberals and National Liberals would merge with the Conservatives. Perhaps a Liberal-Conservative merger occurs after coalition?

[V-J]

The Tories may press for an absorption of the Liberals in this scenario, which was a very fine thing IOTL. Difficult to say though as the Liberals were pretty much a Tory adjunct anyway at this point.

[AlfieJ]

Originally Posted by The Red

If memory serves the idea was that the Liberals and National Liberals would merge with the Conservatives. Perhaps a Liberal-Conservative merger occurs after coalition?

Possible TL?

[The Red]

Originally Posted by AlfieJ

Possible TL?

Indeed, things might not change too much at first, but after the mid-Seventies butterflies begin to flap in interesting ways.

[Æsir]

Originally Posted by V-J

Difficult to say though as the Liberals were pretty much a Tory adjunct anyway at this point.

The more things change, the more they stay the same...

[theman from the ministery]

Originally Posted by V-J

The Tories may press for an absorption of the Liberals in this scenario, which was a very fine thing IOTL. Difficult to say though as the Liberals were pretty much a Tory adjunct anyway at this point.

who would be the 3rd party in such a TL?

[The Red]

Originally Posted by theman from the ministery

who would be the 3rd party in such a TL?

There might never be one, Britain could become very American...

[V-J]

Originally Posted by theman from the ministery

who would be the 3rd party in such a TL?

Who can possibly say due to butterflies? If the Liberals are killed off by the Tories then not them at any rate.

[stefanbl]

Originally Posted by theman from the ministery

who would be the 3rd party in such a TL?

I very much doubt they'd be one of any signifcance.

[theman from the ministery]

Originally Posted by The Red

There might never be one, Britain could become very American...

Originally Posted by V-J

Who can possibly say due to butterflies? If the Liberals are killed off by the Tories then not them at any rate.

Originally Posted by stefanbl

I very much doubt they'd be one of any signifcance.

that just sounds so alien, proper alternate history .

[BillyShears]

Originally Posted by theman from the ministery

who would be the 3rd party in such a TL?

Probably an SDP style split happens at some-point, maybe even a Conservative split given the Liberal wing would probably cause a stronger wet element.

Another factor, would the Liberals and Conservatives merge or just form some kind of alliance a bit like the Australian parties. I believe OTL, Macmillan was asked to look into it by Churchill.

Also, the effects on Labour would be quite large should they continue, most of the senior figures were at death's door in the 40s, let alone the 50s.

[StevenAttewell]

Originally Posted by The Red

Would Churchill have attempted to run a minority Government similar to the twenties, would Attlee? Or could the Liberals be persuaded by either party to form a coalition?

Given that Labor OTL actually won the majority of the popular vote and ITL the Conservatives didn't get a majority in Parliament, I can see Attlee trying to run a minority government.

[Jape]

Originally Posted by BillyShears

Probably an SDP style split happens at some-point, maybe even a Conservative split given the Liberal wing would probably cause a stronger wet element.

Another factor, would the Liberals and Conservatives merge or just form some kind of alliance a bit like the Australian parties. I believe OTL, Macmillan was asked to look into it by Churchill.

Also, the effects on Labour would be quite large should they continue, most of the senior figures were at death's door in the 40s, let alone the 50s.

I can imagine the Liberals and some Tory wets breaking off as monetarism gains influence in the party to form a Centre Party. Then again, maybe such idea can't gain hold in a more left-wing party?

[BillyShears]

Originally Posted by Jape

I can imagine the Liberals and some Tory wets breaking off as monetarism gains influence in the party to form a Centre Party. Then again, maybe such idea can't gain hold in a more left-wing party?

It could very well be the monetarists breaking off; Powell, Thatcher, Joseph etc

[Makemakean]

Well, Churchill was quite friendly with the Liberals, and there was quite a lot of talk about creating some sort of anti-Labour pact with the Liberals around this time, with proportional representation being introduced in the cities being, I believe, the offer the Tories were pushing.

So, under these circumstances, I expect either a Conservative minority government with support from the Liberals or a coalition.