Postwar: E5: The Soldiers’ Election | Politically

Postwar: 1: The Rejection | Politically

David Runciman tells the story of the 1945 election and the dawn of a new age. Why did Winston Churchill find himself so decisively r...

Postwar: E2: Mr Churchill and Mr Attlee | Politically

With the war in Europe at an end, Churchill and Attlee became fierce election rivals.

Postwar: E3: The Beveridge Report | Politically

William Beveridge's plan was an answer to the question of what we were fighting for.

Postwar: E4: Public Opinion | Politically

How could politicians know what voters were thinking in 1945?

Postwar: E5: The Soldiers' Election | Politically

During the 1945 election, there were still almost five million servicemen and women.

Postwar: E6: Appealing to Women | Politically

How did the election reflect the dramatically changed working lives of women?

Postwar: E7: The Labour Manifesto | Politically

Uniquely in modern British history, the 1945 Labour Manifesto was a genuine bestseller.

Postwar: E8: Healthcare for All | Politically

The war changed many things, and access to healthcare was one of them.

Postwar: E9: Churchill's 'Gestapo' Broadcast | Politically

Winston Churchill's first election broadcast in 1945 might be remembered as his greatest gaffe.

Postwar: E10: India and Empire | Politically

The question of self-government for India would have to be confronted when war was over.

Postwar: E11: Homes for Heroes | Politically

In the end, the election was fought and decided over two main issues: demobilisation and housing.

Postwar: E12: Art, War and Propaganda | Politically

With the formation of the Arts Council in 1945, on-going state patronage of the arts began.

Postwar: E13: From Yalta to Potsdam | Politically

Between the Yalta and Potsdam conferences, everything changed.

Postwar: E14: United Nations | Politically

Both main parties supported the United Nations, but they disagreed about what that meant.

Postwar: E15: Debt to America | Politically

In 1945, Britain was the most indebted country in the world.

Postwar: E16: The Result | Politically

The immediate result of the general election was silence: a three-week hiatus.

Postwar: E17: A New Jerusalem? | Politically

Postwar: E18: Churchill: Lion in Winter | Politically

What happened to Winston Churchill in the years after the 1945 general election?

Postwar: E19: Post-postwar | Politically

When did the postwar period end?

Postwar: E20: What if? | Politically

What would Britain have been like if Winston Churchill had won the 1945 general election?