Dan Snow's History Hit Churchill vs Attlee: The Election That Changed Britain
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Jul 27, 2025 
David Runciman, Professor of Politics at Cambridge and host of 'Past Present Future', discusses the surprising 1945 election where Churchill was defeated by Attlee. They explore the public's disillusionment after the war and how Labour's focus on housing and social reform resonated with voters. The conversation highlights the establishment of significant policies like the NHS and the clash between state control and personal freedom in shaping modern Britain. Runciman unpacks the election's historical significance and its lasting impact on the political landscape.
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Churchill's Wartime Heroism Fails
- Winston Churchill was a wartime hero but lost the 1945 election in a landslide to Clement Attlee's Labour Party.
- The Labour Party's victory stemmed from the public's desire for postwar social reforms and welfare expansion, not just wartime leadership.
War-Weary and Practical Voters
- Voters in 1945 were tired and not euphoric despite victory, influenced by memories of the 1930s hardships and unmet post-WWI promises.
- The public was focused on practical issues like housing and demobilization rather than celebration.
A Shift in Political Perception
- The 1945 election reflected a break from past politics; Labour was no longer seen as radical but patriotic and competent.
- Wartime social control and socialism had become normalized, making Labour's platform credible and mainstream.
