Conservative Dominance in Inter-war Britain 
by Dr Robert Pearce
University College of St Martin, Lancaster

The Nature of the Topic

Tory dominance between the wars is not a self-contained topic but a wide-ranging set of interrelated issues. Basically, it is the sum total of many smaller questions. Hence, if you are tackling several themes from the 1918-39 period, it is worth considering the overall reasons for Conservative dominance. You will have added another topic to your armoury at the cost of very little extra work.

First Priority

Before asking why the Conservatives were so successful in winning and keeping power, you must assess the degree of their dominance. (Always be sure exactly what you have to explain, before trying to explain it.) For how long were they in power, either alone or in coalitions? How many elections did they win? (Pay special attention to the elections of 1923 and 1929, looking at the numbers of votes as well as seats.)

Key Aspects to Consider

1. The weakness of the Liberal and Labour parties.
2. The nature of the electoral system (including the first-past-the-post system and the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1922, which left only Unionist Irish MPs at Westminster).
3. The Conservative electoral machine (including wealth, agents and the participation of women).
4. The relative unity of the party.
5. Their positive achievements.
6. The role of key individuals.
7. The importance of luck (‘contingent factors’).

Eventually you should be able to write a paragraph on each of the above, giving relevant generalisations and precise details.

Questions and Activities

1. Name six leading politicians and try to place their contribution to Conservative dominance in order of importance.

2. Name six successful Tory acts of parliament or other achievements.

3. Why did the Conservatives win the propaganda battle with the other parties?

4. Do the fortunes of the economy help explain Conservative success? (Think of the major slumps and booms.)

5. What elements of luck, and what of skill, explain Conservative success during:

1. the general strike,
2. the political crisis of 1931, and
3. the abdication crisis?

6. How far did foreign policy affect Conservative popularity, especially during 1935-39?

7. Draw up a comprehensive list of factors making for Conservative success. Then:

1. assign a date to each factor, indicating when it was most relevant;
2. construct a hierarchy of them, assessing their importance; and
3. try to represent your list as a diagram, indicating how they all fit together - this will be a real test of understanding and may, later, constitute a valuable revision aid, so do not be put off by early difficulties.

Supplementary reading (further to texts)

Stuart Ball, The Conservative Party and British Politics 1902-1951, Longman, 1995 - Chapter 6 is especially valuable.

J.A. Ramsden, The Age of Balfour and Baldwin, Longman, 1978 - detailed and thought-provoking.

Anthony Seldon and Stuart Ball (eds), Conservative Century, Oxford University Press, 1994 - a mine of valuable information on the structure, policies and propaganda techniques of the party.

Duncan Watts, Stanley Baldwin, Hodder and Stoughton, 1996 - a good introduction to the most important Conservative leader of the period.