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14 Labour Landslide: March to October 1945, May to July 1946
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 October 2009
Extract
Wednesday 14 March 1945 Spent most of the day at the HofC – nothing of much interest – lunched with James Stuart and one or two others. It surprises me to find how many of our younger leaders appear to be convinced that we shall win the election – a reduced majority very likely – but defeat no. They base their confidence very largely on Winston's popularity and also on the futility of the opposition – I much doubt whether Winston will retain his popularity very many months after the war, and futile though the opposition may be, it does, I think, represent the futility of the electorate – so many people fail to appreciate how much they would dislike Socialism – it sounds all right and only experentia docet. But of course I don't pretend to know the feeling of the public outside the Northern Area where the Labour Party is so strong.
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References
1 translation: experience teaches.
2 The Conservative Party conference held in London on 14–15 Mar. 1945.
3 The leader of the independent Liberal Party.
4 Antony (‘Tony’) Claud Frederick Lambton (1922-), Con. M.P. Berwick 1951–73; P.P.S. to S. Lloyd 1955–57; U.S. Defence (Air Force) 1970–73; styled Viscount Lambton after death of elder brother in 1941, sue. 6th Earl of Durham 1970 but disclaimed peerage, continuing to use the courtesy title of Lord Lambton.
5 Bevin attacked the Conservative Party's pre-war record and probable election tactics at the Yorkshire Labour conference on 7 Apr.; on 9 Apr. Bracken, speaking at a luncheon at Holborn C.A., replied and criticised Bevin in partisan terms.
6 Reginald Edward Manningham-Buller (1905–1980), Con. M.P. Daventry 1943–50, Northamptonshire S. 1950–62; P.S. Works May–July 1945; Solicitor-Gen. 1951–54; Attorney-Gen. 1954–62; Lord. Chanc. 1962–64; Ld. of Appeal in Ordinary 1969–80; kt. 1951, suc. 4th Bart. 1956, cr. Baron Dilhorne 1962, Viscount 1964.
7 (Walter) Robert Dempster Perkins (1903–1988), Con. M.P. Stroud 1931–45, Stroud & Thornbury 1950–55; P.S. Civil Aviation May–July 1945; kt. 1954.
8 Maurice Petherick (1894–1985), Con. M.P. Penryn & Falmouth 1931–45; F.S. War Office May–July 1945.
9 Alfred Cecil Critchley (1890–1963), Con. M.P. Twickenham 1934–35; contested Islington E. as a Beaverbrook-sponsored ‘Empire Crusade’ cand. Feb. 1931; Dir.-Gen. of B.O.A.C. 1943–46; Chairman, Skyways Ltd. 1946–54.
10 Robert Allen Fenwick Thorp (1900–1966), Con. M.P.Berwick 1945–51; Whip 1947–48.
11 Edward Thomas Ruscombe Wickham (1890–1957), Con. M.P. Taunton 1935–45; served in Indian Political Dept. 1919–35; P.P.S. to F. Horsbrugh 1939, to L. Hore-Belisha 1939–40, to Sir V. Warrender 1940, to D. Margesson 1941–42.
12 Harry S. Truman (1884–1972), Democratic Senator, Missouri 1935–44; Vice-Pies, of U.S.A. Jan–Apr. 1945, Pres. 1945–53 (suc. Pres, on death of Roosevelt Apr. 1945, re-elected 1948). The single letter ‘S’ which was Truman's second name was chosen as a compromise reference to the forenames of both his grandfathers.
13 i.e., to a general meeting of the Association.
14 Miss Rosalie Bloxam had been helping Headlam in the constituency since the autumn of 1944, acting as an unofficial organiser and secretary.
15 This was the broadcast in which Churchill asserted that a Socialist government would need to use ‘some form of Gestapo’ to enforce its measures.
16 Norman Hackworth Chapman (1884–1972), Managing Dir., N.H. Chapman & Co., furnishers, from 1919; member of Newcastle City Council, St. Nicholas', Walker & Jesmond Wards 1936–49, Alderman 1949–61, Chairman, Finance Ctte. 1940–45, Sheriff 1949–50, Lord Mayor 1950–51; one of the city's largest ratepayers.
17 (Frank) Douglas Nicholson (1905–1984), Con. cand. Spennymoor 1945; Chairman, Durham Police Authority 1955–64; High Sheriff, Co. Durham 1948–49; Jt. Managing Dir., Vaux Breweries 1937–52, Chairman 1953–76.
18 Headlam had been the M.P. for Barnard Castle in 1924–29 and 1931–35.
19 A member of the Pease family, major figures in southern Co. Durham; originally a Quaker and Liberal industrial dynasty based in Darlington, they became increasingly identified with Conservatism between the 1880s and 1930s.
20 R. O'Sullivan, Lib. Nat. cand. Newcastle E. 1945.
21 Maurice Victor Macmillan (1921–1984), Con. M.P. Halifax 1955–64, Farnham 1966–83, Surrey S.W. 1983–84; Economic Sec., Treasury 1963–64; Chief Sec. Treasury 1970–72; Employment Sec. 1972–73; Paymaster-Gen. 1973–74; eldest son of Harold Macmillan, styled Viscount Macmillan of Ovenden after cr. of father as Earl of Stockton 1984; unsuccessfully contested Seaham 1945.
22 Harold Joseph Laski (1893–1950), Prof, of Political Science, L.S.E. 1926–50; member of Fabian Society Exec. 1922–36; member of Lab. Party N.E.C. 1936–49, Chairman 1945–46.
23 In order for the votes cast by men serving in the forces overseas to be included, the count and declarations took place three weeks after polling day.
24 T.M. Scanlan (b. 1893), army officer 1914–36, 1939–45, retired as Colonel; Con. Agent Newcastle N. 1945–51; the son of a Newcastle city councillor.
25 Gilbert James Morley Longden (1902–1997), Con. cand. Morpeth 1945, M.P. Hertfordshire S.W. 1950–74; kt. 1972.
26 Lab. cand. Newcastle N. 1945.
27 William McKeag (1897–1972), Lib. cand. Durham 1924, 1929, M.P. Durham 1931–35, cand. Newcastle N. 1945, Newcastle E. 1950; Dep.-Ass. Adjutant-Gen. 1939–45; Lord Mayor of Newcastle 1951–52, 1953–54.
28 The Common Wealth candidate.
29 Headlam did not count Hexham, the Speaker's seat, in the Conservative total.
30 Neil Maclean (1875–1953), Lab. M.P. Glasgow Govan 1918–50; Whip 1919–21, 1922–23; member of N.E.C. 1920–22; member of P.L.P. Exec. 1931–36; Chairman, P.L.P. 1945–46.
31 (Robert William) Hugh O'Neill (1883–1982), Ulster Unionist M.P. Mid-Antrim 1915–22, Co. Antrim 1922–50, Antrim N. 1950–52; Speaker of N. Ireland Parl. 1921–29; Chairman, 1922 Ctte. 1935–39; U.S. India & Burma 1939–40; Father of the House 1951–52; Ld. Lt. Co. Antrim 1949–59; cr. Bart. 1929, Baron Rathcavan 1953.
32 William Gallacher (1881–1965), Communist M.P. Fife W. 1935–50; Pres., Communist Party of Great Britain 1956–63.
33 William Whiteley (1881–1955), Lab. M.P. Blaydon 1922–31, 1935–55; Whip 1927–31, 1935–42, Chief Whip 1942–55; D.M.A. Miners' Agent 1912–22.
34 Headlam had worked as a Clerk in the House of Lords from 1897 to 1924.
35 William Henry Davison (1872–1953), Con. M.P. Kensington S. 1918–45; Mayor of Kensington 1913–19; Chairman, Metropolitan Area 1928–30; cr. Baron Brough-shane 1945.
36 i.e., three by-elections would result in safe Con. seats, giving an opportunity for some of the Con. leaders who had been defeated to return to the House.
37 translation: up to date.
38 Lewis Silkin (1889–1972), Lab. M.P. Peckham 1936–50; member of London County Council 1925–45, Chairman of Housing & Public Health Ctte. 1934–40, of Town Planning Ctte. 1940–45; Min. of Town & Country Planning 1945–50; Dep. Lab. Leader in the Lords 1955–64; cr. Baron Silkin 1950.
39 John Maynard Keynes (1883–1946); civil servant, India Office 1906–08, Treasury 1915–19; Principal Treasury rep. at Paris Peace Conference 1919; Lecturer in Economics, Cambridge 1908–15; Fellow of King's College, Cambridge; member of Ctte. on Finance & Industry 1929–31; Economic Adviser to the govt. 1940–46, chief rep. at Bretton Woods conference 1944; a member of the ‘Bloomsbury group’ of intellectuals; influential economic theorist, author of General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money (1936)Google Scholar; cr. Baron Keynes 1942.
40 On 17 Aug. 1945 President Truman had abruptly terminated the Lend-Lease Act of Mar. 1941, which Britain had depended upon to purchase essential materials.
41 James Purdon Lewes Thomas (1903–1960), Con. M.P. Hereford 1931–56; P.P.S. to J.H. Thomas 1932–36, to A. Eden 1937–38, 1939–40; Ass. Whip 1940, Whip 1940–43; F.S. Admiralty 1943–45; 1st Lord of Admiralty 1951–56; Con. Party Vice-Chairman 1945–51; cr. Viscount Cilcennin 1956.
42 Alan Vincent Gandar Dower (1898–1980), Con. M.P. Stockport 1931–35, Penrith & Cockermouth 1935–50.