1. Why was the Labour Party unelectable between 1951 and 1963?
In this lesson, we will:
Describe what was dividing the Labour Party between 1951 and 1963.
Assess to what extent Gaitskell was poor leader of the Labour Party between 1951 and 1963.
Starter: Read this article from ‘The Independent’ on Labour in the 1950s. What impression do you get of the party based on this? Highlight quotations and evidence to support.

2. Why was the Labour Party split?
Attlee had continued as leader until 1955, but the wartime generation of labour leaders were ageing and splits started to grow in the party over ideology and between personalities.
The key personality clash was between Hugh Gaitskell and Aneurin Bevan. Gaitskell was on the Right wing of the Labour party whereas Bevan was on the Left. The party became split into the "Gaitskellites" and the "Bevanites.“
Both stood for leadership of the party when Attlee resigned in 1955, but it was Gaitskell that would lead the party.
Partly influenced by reformists like Anthony Crosland, Gaitskell wanted to reform the party to make it more electable.

4. Gaitskellism Bevanism
Many on the left were members of CND (formed in 1958). In favour of unilateral nuclear disarmament. Bevan himself eventually supported nuclear weapons, arguing “it would send a British Foreign Secretary naked into the conference chamber”
Trade Unions should be the major voice in shaping party policy as they represent the working classes. Frank Collins became leader of the TGWU and was very critical of Gaitskell.
Believed Labour Party should be socialist and should commit itself to nationalisation. In favour of keeping Clause IV.
Aligning with CND was seen to turn away voters. At a time of rising tension with the USSR, the public were largely in favour of nuclear weapons so the right supported them – some saw it as a way of gaining votes.
Rejected the idea that unions should shape party policy. Gaitskell felt the need to resists union influence.
In favour of abolishing Clause IV as it believed it was too socialist for the electorate. Gaitskell was impressed by the was the SDP in Germany had done this.
Barbara Castle
Dennis Healey
Tony Benn
Roy Jenkins
Harold Wilson
James Callaghan

5. Why did Labour lose the 1959 General Election?
The election came at a bad point for Labour – Britain’s economy had recovered and people were experiencing affluence under Macmillan’s government.
Macmillan’s government relied heavily on affluence in political propaganda during the election.
Labour’s campaign team tried to woo voters with increases in state pension and low taxation. It also tried to show a united party with both Gaitskell and Bevan on posters.
However, the party were still deeply divided over unilateralism and Clause IV. The party were also divided over whether Britain should join the EEC.

6. The impact of the 1959 defeat
After a third election defeat, the divisions between Gaitskell and the Labour-left increased.
He accused the left of weakening the movement with unilateralism. He argued that they lacked common sense and realistic policies.
At the party conference in Blackpool in 1959, Gaitskell put forward the idea of dropping ‘Clause IV’ from Labour Party policy but it was rejected.
He was accused of betraying the socialist principles of the party.
The CDS was set up by more centrist Labour members to defend Gaitskell’s ideas. It argued wrong for the left wingers to force their extreme views on the party.

7. The Battle of Scarborough, 1960
Tensions erupted at the 1960 Labour Party conference in Scarborough. Gaitskell pleaded with delegates to reject unilateralism.
He made a passionate speech: “We will fight, and fight, and fight again to save the party that we lost”
After voting, it was clear he had lost and the Labour Party officially adopted unilateralism as policy.
Following this, Shadow Chancellor Harold Wilson (a Bevanite) challenged Gaitskell for the leadership of the party. The result was 67.2% in favour of Gaitskell.
However, at the next party conference in Blackpool in 1961 he won the vote and unilateralism was dropped as party policy.

8. Learning Task
What is the representation of Gaitskell shown in this cartoon?
Use contextual knowledge to support this interpretation.
Use contextual knowledge to counter this interpretation.