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Internal Disputes
-Hugh Gaitskell became leader of the party in 1955.
-Party had problems with finding its aims and what they should pursue
-Divided between the left who wanted a more socialist Britain and the right
-Bevenites wanted large trade unions who they believed spoke for the working classes
-Left=Unilaterists
The 1959 election
-Strong believe that labour would win, especially as it was the first election after the Suez affair.
-1957 ''Never had it so good'' came at the wrong time for the Labour party as the country saw an economic recovery.
-''Life is better with the Conservatives. Don't let Labour run it."
-In response to the quote above, Labour promised an increase in state pensions without rise in taxation. People however saw through it
-in 1959 election, the Conservatives gained 21 seats while labour lost 19.
Reasons for Labour's defeat in 1959
-Disagreements over the true character of the party
-Divisions over how far the party should push for socialist (such as nationalisation) ideas.
-Splits over the issue of unilateralism
-Uncertainty over whether Britain should join the EEC.
-Conservatives said that they were leading Britain into prosperity
-Negative public perception of their promise regarding the state pensions. People thought that in reality taxation would increase.
Labour's reaction to its defeat
-Gaitskell accused the left of the weakening the movement by their demands for unilateralism.
-The left replied by attacking him over his betrayal of the party principle by dropping nationalisation as a primary goal.
-1960 Gaitskell lost the election however a year later the party agreed to drop unilateralism as party policy.
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