Conservative central office and the Conservative workingmen’s clubs not only gave them a solid base of electoral support but put them in a better financial position that either of the other major parties. The adoption of “New Conservatism” in 1924 demonstrated that the Conservatives could appeal to the working class and was a major step in modernising the party. The emphasis placed on social harmony, an improvement in industrial relations and a commitment to peace proved popular with the public. These ideas expanded the party’s support greatly. However his decision to introduce tariffs in 1923 caused the Conservatives to lose the January 1924 election and could, if the Labour government had proved more successful, have brought about a period of Labour dominance. Fortunately Labour’s failure to tackle unemployment, their mishandling of the national dock strike and the
Campbell case all caused the public to lose confidence in the Labour government. This benefited the Conservatives greatly as it not only relegated Labour to the position of opposition but also further undermined the Liberals position. They now lost many more middle class voters as the public sought to vote for a government. Although Baldwin was successful in modernising the party and providing a solid future base for the Tory’s his misguided opinion on protection could have cost the party dear. In light of this at least some of the Conservative dominance in this period is due to the failings of the other major parties. However good a leader Baldwin was he would not have had the opportunity had the Labour government been able to successfully handle the domestic issues that got the better of them and hadn’t been so willing to resign.
After the resignation of the Labour government the Conservatives returned to power. This period (1924-29) was one of complete Conservative dominance and did a lot to prove Baldwin a great leader. His handling of the General Strike was very effective. He managed to persuade the rest of the party not to support a die-hard right wing MP’s anti-trade union bill and instead carefully isolated the strikers by calling for industrial harmony and unity.
In the wake of the Great War Baldwin managed to capitalise on the nation’s desire for peace both at home and internationally. He used this to turn public opinion against the strikers, whom he declared were trying to undermine constitutional government, and ensure his reputation as a fair and honest PM was maintained. Handling this strike in a similar way to that which the Labour government had handled the Dock strike would have met with widespread public disproval and could have seriously harmed Baldwin’s government. In this period Baldwin offered new policies intended to improve and modernise Britain as a whole. The Widows and Orphans Act of 1925 and the extension of the vote to all women over 21 in the 1928 Franchise Act improved the party’s standing with women voters. The Widows and Orphans Act also further showed the Conservatives total move away from the principles of Laissez-Faire. It was not a traditional Conservative policy; this policy further pointed to one of the major factors in Liberal decline, as it was a very Liberal policy. The decline of the Liberal party had meant that Labour gained many voters from the working class but many of the middle class Liberal voters were scared to the Conservatives by their exaggerated fears of a Labour government. These gains were short lived however, as the Conservatives ability to handle the trade unions and striking unions lessened the middle class fear of the Labour Party and, in the next election (1929), the Liberal party was now united and in a strong position. It managed to field over 500 candidates and took many of the votes lost to the Tory’s back. So in this respect Baldwin’s effectiveness as a leader was detrimental to the party.
It was not only his policies or his sound political thinking that made Baldwin so popular and effective as leader. His public image was also important in improving Conservative popularity. He was seen as an honest, trust-worthy and in touch with public opinion. He preached tranquillity and stability after the war. This did a lot to restore public confidence in Conservative leadership after the disastrous coalition under Lloyd-George who had failed to deliver his promise of “Homes fit for heroes” and a land for heroes. Coupled with his ability to offer new and insightful policies under “ New Conservatism” while the Liberals offered merely discussion about reform without offering actual policies. Baldwin’s support for the coalition government under MacDonald was also instrumental. His support was key to the formation of the National Government with MacDonald as its leader. This was another shrewd political decision as it ensured that whilst the coalition reigned, the Conservatives would have a lot of say in how it was run, as it was another mainly Conservative coalition. Baldwin was also able to see that a coalition under MacDonald would have much more appeal domestically and internationally than a Conservative led one.
Baldwin was very important in ensuring the Conservatives were a dominant political force in this period. However he did profit largely from the circumstances of the time, such as the continued decline of the Liberal Party, the failings of Labour governments and the Conservative Party’s willingness to accept him as leader. Despite his fortune though Baldwin was the most important factor in the revival and sustenance of the Conservative Party in this period.
