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1955-57: Summary of Anthony Eden's Leadership
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A* level standard of Anthony Eden's premiership and government between 1955-57.
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Eden’s government 1955- 57Nickname: a man in a hurry (due to having to wait so long to get elected)
Chancellor of the Exchequer- R.A. Butler
Foreign Secretary- Harold Macmillan
Personality
Had been impatiently waiting for Churchill to retire in 1955, as he was Deputy Prime Minister, often conducting the
roles of Prime Minister whilst Churchill was abroad or ill.
Eden was a favourite figure among the electorate due to his long wartime service and his famous good looks and
charm.
His famous words “Peace comes first, always” added to his popularity.
Had little experience in economic matters, instead specialising more in foreign affairs due to acting as Foreign Secretary
1951- 55.
Eden lived the majority of his political career in the shadow of Churchill.
Was Foreign Secretary for 10 years.
As Churchill had made foreign affairs his particular area of interest (viewing himself as an international statesman) he
reduced Eden’s powers as foreign secretary to simply a background figure.
Eden was often mocked and criticised in the press for smacking the palm of his hand when emphasisng a point. Often
called ‘The smack of firm government’.
In Eden’s 1977 obituary in The Times it stated that Eden was “the last prime minister to believe Britain was a great
power and the first to confront a crisis which proved she was not”.
Eden was seen as a weak leader as he attempted to move Macmillan from the Foreign Office to the Treasury in
October 1955 but Macmillan successfully managed to delay this until December 1955.
Achievements
In 1955 he immediately called a general election which increased the Conservative majority from 17 to 60. This
increase in majority broke a 90 year record for any UK government. Achieved 49.7% of the vote.
Eden’s 1955 General election campaign had posters simply containing the phrase ‘Working for Peace’.
Concentrated on foreign policy and established a close relationship with the US President Dwight Eisenhower.
1955- unemployment at 200,000= less than 1% of the population.
In 1955 Eden attempted to relax international tension by welcoming the Soviet leaders N.S. Khrushchev and N.A.
Bulganin to Britain despite Britain advocating their support of America through their ‘special relationship’
1956- Clean Air Act aimed to prevent the smog of 1952 that killed 12,000 people.
Advantages
Eden initially represented optimism and modernity.
1955 election was won through the age of affluence and the growth in prosperity.
The 1955 election was seen as the most successful decision that Eden made as he increased the Conservative majority
from 17 to 60 seats (49.7% of the vote- the highest majority in 90 years.
Butler’s 1955 give- away budget of £134 million in tax cuts meant that Eden (and Butler) was favoured by the public.
Disadvantages
Eden’s decision to take military action during the Suez Crisis in 1956, which ended in disaster, severely damaged his
reputation as a leader and was a turning point for Britain’s illusion as an imperial power.
Was heavily criticised by the Manchester Guardian about his decisions in Suez.
Eden was accused of lying in the House of Commons and his reputation was badly damaged.
Suez caused divisions within the Conservative party with Anthony Nutting (Colonial Minister) resigning from the
cabinet as well as a rebellion of nearly 40 Conservative MPs.
Eden received pressure not just from the Conservative party, Labour party and electorate but also the United States
who exposed Britain’s weakness over foreign policy and financial decisions.
Ignored the importance of the Messina conference which acted as the basis for EEC membership. Created problems for
Britain wanting to join the EEC in 1961.
Suez was a HUGE economic strain that caused a RUN ON THE POUND.
Put a strain on the ‘special relationship’ as Britain was told to withdraw immediately.
Conservatives and Eden received bad press esp. from the Manchester Guardian who accused him of lying.
Eden lost support from the public as a result of the Suez crisis, demonstrated in his opinion polls which went from 70%
to 40% in favour.
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