OCR Specification focus:
‘the Conservatives in power 1924–1929, the leadership of Baldwin, Churchill as Chancellor, the work of Neville Chamberlain; extension of the franchise; the 1929 election’
The Conservative governments of 1924–1929 represented a pivotal period in British interwar politics, defined by Baldwin’s steady leadership, key reforms, and landmark changes to the electorate.
The Conservative Party in Power 1924–1929
Following the collapse of Ramsay MacDonald’s first Labour government in 1924, the Conservative Party secured a commanding majority in the general election. Under Stanley Baldwin’s leadership, the party governed until 1929, positioning itself as the party of stability and order after years of political uncertainty caused by Liberal decline and Labour’s brief tenure.
Baldwin’s Leadership Style
Stanley Baldwin became the dominant political figure of the 1920s. His leadership was characterised by:
A moderate and conciliatory style, aiming to appeal to a broad electorate.
Emphasis on national unity and a commitment to constitutional government.
Use of modern communication methods such as radio, which enhanced his personal connection with the public.
Leadership Style: The distinctive approach a political leader uses to govern, combining methods of persuasion, communication, and decision-making.
Baldwin was adept at presenting Conservatism as a safe, pragmatic choice, especially after the fears aroused by Labour’s association with socialism in 1924.
Economic and Financial Management
Churchill as Chancellor of the Exchequer
From 1924 to 1929, Winston Churchill served as Chancellor of the Exchequer. His tenure is often remembered for the controversial decision to return Britain to the Gold Standard in 1925.
Gold Standard (definition below) was reintroduced at the pre-war parity, making exports more expensive and harming struggling industries.
Churchill argued this would restore financial prestige and international confidence.
However, critics such as John Maynard Keynes condemned the move for worsening unemployment and economic stagnation in heavy industry regions.
Gold Standard: A monetary system in which a country’s currency is directly linked to gold at a fixed rate, restricting inflation but limiting economic flexibility.
Despite these criticisms, Churchill’s budgetary policies sought to balance fiscal responsibility with modest social spending, reflecting Conservative caution.
Neville Chamberlain’s Work
Although not yet Chancellor, Neville Chamberlain played a crucial role in shaping government policy during this period as Minister of Health.
His work included:
Improvements in local government efficiency.
Expansion of public health measures.
Advocacy for housing reform, leading to the 1925 Housing Act, which subsidised private building firms and councils to construct more homes.
These policies reflected a blend of Conservative pragmatism and limited social reform, aiming to alleviate urban overcrowding while supporting private enterprise.
Social and Political Reform
Extension of the Franchise
One of the most significant reforms of Baldwin’s government was the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928, which:
Leaders of the National Union of Societies for Equal Citizenship outside Parliament after Royal Assent to the Equal Franchise Act (2 July 1928). The Act equalised the voting age at 21 for men and women, adding millions of women to the electorate. This primary-source image visually anchors the reform’s contemporary significance. Source
Equalised the voting age for men and women at 21.
Enfranchised approximately 5 million additional women, effectively doubling the female electorate.
Marked the culmination of the women’s suffrage movement, which had achieved partial success in 1918.
This reform was seen as both a recognition of women’s contribution during the First World War and a strategic political move, as Conservatives hoped to attract women voters who were perceived as socially conservative.
Impact on Democracy
By 1929, Britain had one of the most inclusive electorates in Europe, with near-universal adult suffrage. This expansion fundamentally reshaped political campaigning, with parties increasingly tailoring messages to diverse groups, including women and young voters.
The 1929 Election
The general election of May 1929—commonly referred to as the “Flapper Election” due to the new influx of young women voters—was highly significant.
Seat distribution in the House of Commons after the May 1929 general election: Labour 287, Conservative 259, Liberal 59, with a few minor parties. The diagram succinctly conveys why Labour emerged as the largest party without an overall majority. Its clean layout is ideal for quick revision. Source
Key features included:
Conservatives campaigned on a platform of stability, prosperity, and gradual reform.
Labour, under Ramsay MacDonald, emphasised social justice, unemployment reform, and presented itself as a credible party of government.
Liberals, led by Lloyd George, proposed radical economic reform, including large-scale public works to combat unemployment.
Results of the Election
Labour emerged as the largest party in the House of Commons, though without an overall majority.
Conservatives lost ground, but remained a powerful force with a substantial share of the vote.
The election confirmed the decline of the Liberals, whose vote share was squeezed between the two major parties.
The outcome reflected the changing political landscape shaped by the extension of the franchise, with Labour gaining strength as the voice of working-class Britain.
Conservative Legacy 1924–1929
The Baldwin governments of this period left a complex legacy:
Economically cautious, often criticised for failing to resolve high unemployment in staple industries such as coal, steel, and textiles.
Socially reformist in limited but significant ways, through housing acts and the extension of the franchise.
Politically stabilising, as Baldwin’s leadership style helped cement a two-party system dominated by Labour and the Conservatives.
The Conservative governments between 1924 and 1929 combined traditional caution with reforms that reshaped the democratic framework of Britain, setting the stage for the more turbulent politics of the 1930s.
FAQ
Baldwin made innovative use of radio broadcasts and the press to project himself as a calm, paternal figure. This contrasted with the more fiery image of Labour politicians and helped Conservatives appeal to middle-class and newly enfranchised women voters.
The Conservative Party also benefited from sympathetic coverage in leading newspapers such as the Daily Mail and The Times, reinforcing their image as the party of stability.
Strategically, Conservatives believed women voters would be more socially conservative and thus support their party.
Baldwin hoped to attract loyalty from the millions of new female voters.
It also reflected a recognition of women’s contribution during the First World War and the growing expectation of equality in democratic participation.
Though some feared it might boost Labour, Baldwin judged the reform as politically advantageous.
The Act provided subsidies for both local councils and private builders, aiming to stimulate mass construction of affordable homes.
It helped reduce urban overcrowding, improved public health, and supported Britain’s growing suburban developments. However, critics argued that poorer families still struggled to afford many of the new houses, meaning the Act benefited the lower middle class more than the working poor.
Critics such as economist John Maynard Keynes argued that the return to the Gold Standard overvalued sterling, making British exports uncompetitive.
This worsened unemployment in industries such as coal and shipbuilding.
It was seen as prioritising financial prestige over social welfare.
Churchill later admitted the decision had been a mistake, but at the time it symbolised Conservative caution and attachment to traditional economic orthodoxy.
The nickname highlighted the entry of young women voters, many influenced by new cultural freedoms of the 1920s.
Fashion, music, and cinema shaped a new youth identity that parties now had to address.
Labour’s appeal to working-class families and women was crucial in their electoral success.
The election confirmed that political campaigning needed to reflect modern social and cultural change, not just economic policy.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks):
In which year did the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act equalise the voting age for men and women, and what was that age?
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for correctly identifying the year as 1928.
1 mark for correctly stating the age as 21.
(Maximum 2 marks)
Question 2 (6 marks):
Explain two reasons why the Conservative governments of 1924–1929 struggled to resolve unemployment in Britain.
Mark Scheme:
Up to 3 marks for each reason explained, maximum 6 marks in total.
Marks awarded as follows:
1 mark for identifying a valid reason.
1 additional mark for providing supporting detail or context.
1 further mark for explanation of why this contributed to the government’s failure to resolve unemployment.
Examples of valid reasons:
Return to the Gold Standard (1925): Identified (1 mark); explanation that it made exports more expensive and hurt heavy industry (1 mark); further developed with point that this worsened unemployment in coal, steel and textiles (1 mark).
Economic reliance on staple industries: Identified (1 mark); explanation that these industries were in decline due to international competition (1 mark); further developed with point that Conservative policies offered little structural reform, leading to persistent regional unemployment (1 mark).
Other acceptable reasons might include: limited government intervention, fiscal caution under Churchill as Chancellor, or the lack of large-scale investment in new industries.
