WI: UK General Election 1957

RyanF

Banned
What were the chances that a general election could be called in the wake of the Suez Crisis?

If Eden still steps down when he did would either Macmillan or Butler be inclined to call an election?

I could see Labour under Gaitskell probably winning an election called shortly after Suez, and the Conservatives could probably see it as well (Macmillan told the Queen upon his appointment he couldn't guarantee the government would last six weeks) hence would be unlikely to call one.

But are there circumstances which might lead to a general election being called in the immediate aftermath of Suez only two years after the last election?
 

RyanF

Banned
No takers?

Personally I might be able to see a low turnout in an election called for say February 1957. A combination of disillusionment following Suez, coming only two years after the previous election and being held in winter could see the turnout dropping to below 70%.

I think we might see similar results the OTL 1964 election; a very small swing from Conservative to Labour, but with a larger swing towards the Liberals serves to deny the Conservatives enough seats that Labour emerge from the election with a small majority.

What does Labour under Gaitskell do in the late 1950s?

A few things jump out at me from their 1955 Manifesto...

1) A commitment to support disarmament, supporting German reunification, supporting admission of the PRC to the UN.
2) "develop communities free from racial and colour discrimination" in the Empire/Commonwealth.
3) Reviewing the period of National Service.
4) Abolition of all charges on the NHS, including prescriptions, glasses and dentures.
5) Creation of a Ministry of Social Welfare.
6) Removing the 11-plus exam from primary schools.
7) "Television is a growing influence for good or ill. Labour will establish an alternative public television service, free from advertising."
8) Nationalisation of chemical and machine tool manufacturing, and renationalisation of steel and road haulage.
9) Commitment to technical education in industry and encouraging industrial democracy.

How much, or any, of their 1955 Manifesto would make it into a 1957 Manifesto? And what would they be able to achieve in government, possibly hindered by a small majority.
 
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