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Summary Harold Macmillan: 1957- 63
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Summary of Harold Macmillan's government and policy from 1957- 63.
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Harold Macmillan 1957- 63NICKNAME: Supermac (1958)
Chancellor of the Exchequer (s)- Peter Thorneycroft 1957- 58
- Derick Heathcoar- Amory 1958- 60
- Selwyn Lloyd 1960- 62
- Reginald Maudling 1962- 64
Foreign Secretary- Selwyn Lloyd 1955- 60
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Home Secretary- Butler (liberal approach towards legal and social issues placing emphasis on reform). The liberal stance
of Butler as home secretary demonstrated that the Conservatives under Macmillan were prepared to modify its
traditional social attitudes.
1957- Bevan (Labour left) changed his stance on nuclear weapons to supporting them as he believed that without
them ‘it would send a British Foreign Secretary naked into the conference- chamber.’
1957- CND established after Britain developed its first hydrogen bomb in 1957.
Frank Cousins (leader of the TGWU) led fierce opposition to Hugh Gaitskell Labour leader (1955- 63)- caused splits
within the Labour party.
Personality
Nickname of ‘Supermac’ established in 1958 demonstrated
Typical English gentleman.
Supported Keynesianism supporting the idea of state involvement.
Supported consensus.
Although he was Chancellor of the Exchequer during the period of the Suez affair he was not associated with it by the
public which meant that he did not have that image when becoming Prime Minister.
First Prime Minister to commit Britain to aiming to join the European Union.
Supported the process of decolonisation and the independence of the African colonies (1960’s Winds of Change
speech).
Supported President Kennedy during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
‘Never had it so good’- 1957.
‘Events, dear boy, events’- when discussing the political problems between 1961- 63
The growth in television meant that Macmillan had increasing opportunities to gain public support.
Macmillan seen as a man of contradictions- almost joined the Labour party in 1930s.
Achievements
October 1959 Macmillan called a general election which increased the Conservative majority from 60- 100 seats.
1957- ‘never had it so good speech’
1960- ‘Winds of Change’ speech.
Advantages
Continuation of the Age of Affluence.
Consumer boom- more cars, TV’s, refrigerators and other luxuries.
Low unemployment.
Repaired international relations with USA after Suez Crisis.
Oversaw the end of rationing completely in Britain.
1957- the Wolfenden Commission recommended that homosexual behaviour should no longer be a criminal act.
1957- Macmillan introduced the 1957 Rent Act which abolished rent controls putting 6 million houses on the market.
1962- Commonwealth Immigration Act.
1962- Robbins Report discussing higher education.
First Prime Minister to be fully Nuclear- armed.
1959 tax cut (popular with electorate)
Continued process of decolonisation (1960 Winds of Change speech)
One could argue that the fact that Macmillan supported President Kennedy during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and
that the US ‘defeated’ the USSR could make the British public more supportive of Macmillan as he could be associated
with America’s success.
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