Britain Political events since 1945

Britain Political events since 1945

1945 was marked by the end of World War two that had lasted for over six years. Like other superpower countries, Britain has been as well involved in the war proceedings. After the war ended, all countries involved in the war started political rebuilding. In Britain, political rebuilding involved several political events. The discussion below gives a highlight of five major political events that took place in the UK and their importance since 1945 to the present.

Labour and Welfare State (1945-51)

After the war ended, the labour party won that year’s election with a landslide with Clement Attlee becoming the Prime Minister. Due to the destruction caused by the war, a welfare state was created under the National Insurance Act of 1946 (Hennessy & Harrison, 2019). Under this Act, people had to pay flat national insurance and pension rates. The major program created under this Act was the National Health Service.

The importance of this political event is that it enhances quick nationalization of vital sectors like economy, banks, and railways that were declining. Ideally, this event was the basis of country rebuilding from the war.

Conservative Government (1951-64)

The event was marked by the end of Attlee’s administration. The economy had declined, and the level of inflation rose. The pound was devalued, and the 1950 election saw the majority of labour party members reduced (Sowemimo, 2018). Attlee was in bad health, and the next person in command had died. Due to all these fracases happening, the conservative party come to power under Winston Churchill.

Due to economic downfall that was witnessed during Attlee’s reign, the conservative party aimed at rebuilding the country’s economy. Therefore, the importance of this event was built under the theme of economic change and retreat from colonialism.

Labour Interlude (1964-70)

The labour party come back to power after a long tenure of the conservative party under the administration of Harold Wilson. Wilson was regarded as labour radical, trying to address the needs of the working class.

The importance of this event is that it recognized the power of trade unionism. Through this union, the needs of the working class were highly addressed.

The return to power of the conservative party (1970-74)

The conservative government reclaimed power under Sir Edward Heath. The political event is considered as the bloodiest during the troubles of North Ireland. The event is considered bloody due to mass killing of 14 unarmed civilians by British Soldiers taking part in the banned civil right demonstration (Sowemimo, 2018).

Despite the numerous problems coupled heath, it’s during his reign that Britain joined the European Union. This event was named as the “Heath’s finest hour.”

The 2001 England riots

The event took place after a continuous opposition of the Race Relations Act of 1965 by the conservatives. Amendments were made on this Act to eliminate discrimination in areas like access to goods and services and employment sector. However, the major amendment took place in 2001.

The importance of this Act is that it ensured that direct and indirect discrimination to be an offence and legal actions to be taken to those exercising such discrimination.

References

Hennessy, B., & Harrison, M. (2019). Trade Unions and the Labour Party since 1945. The Western Political Quarterly, 14(2), 599. https://doi.org/10.2307/443622

‌Sowemimo, M. (2018). The Conservative Party and European Integration 1988-95. Party Politics, 2(1), 77–97. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354068896002001004

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