‘Set the People Free’ - Conservatives election campaign badge (1950 & 1951)
“Set the People Free” was a popular slogan of the Conservative political party used during both the 1950 and 1951 British general elections. This electoral campaign slogan advocated for the idea of greater individual control, self-reliance and a movement away from ‘State control’ over people’s lives arising from Labour’s socialist policies. Very much a form of free-market policy that continues to dominate Conservative political thought to this day.
After the war in 1945, the Labour party under the leadership of Clement Attlee was swept to power with great public expectations that were followed through with major reforms in social welfare, housing, nationalisations, public healthcare provisions, etc. However, by the end of the 1940’s public disillusion had set in and coupled with Labour’s 1948 austerity budget, continued rationing, ID cards (abolished 1952), housing shortages had set the tone for labour’s decrease in electoral support for both general elections. In October 1951, only some 20 months after Labour’s marginal victory in the 1950 election, the Conservatives took power by an equally slim majority of parliamentary seats, despite polling fewer votes.
During both election campaigns, Winston Churchill played-up his successful wartime record symbolised by depicting his two-finger V-sign for victory on the badge. SET THE PEOPLE FREE slogan was also a battle-cry alluding to the class struggles of post-war Britain and much attested to in the Conservative’s campaigning against the Labour government’s socialist policies.
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References:
www.alphabetthreat.co.uk/pasttense/pdf/idcards.pdf (Contains a picture of an ID card that proved with the British public with their continuation after WW2 had ceased).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_general_election,_1950 (1950 British General Election results).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_general_election,_1951 (1951 British General Election results).
www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/background/pastelec... (A BBC article on the 1951 general election).
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Enamels: 3 (red, black & white).
Finish: Gilt.
Material: Brass.
Fixer: Pin.
Size: 5/8” x 5/8” (about 22mm x 22mm).
Process: Die stamped.
Makers: J&J B’ham (anyone identify this maker, please?).
.
Thank you for reading.
Stuart.
‘Set the People Free’ - Conservatives election campaign badge (1950 & 1951)
“Set the People Free” was a popular slogan of the Conservative political party used during both the 1950 and 1951 British general elections. This electoral campaign slogan advocated for the idea of greater individual control, self-reliance and a movement away from ‘State control’ over people’s lives arising from Labour’s socialist policies. Very much a form of free-market policy that continues to dominate Conservative political thought to this day.
After the war in 1945, the Labour party under the leadership of Clement Attlee was swept to power with great public expectations that were followed through with major reforms in social welfare, housing, nationalisations, public healthcare provisions, etc. However, by the end of the 1940’s public disillusion had set in and coupled with Labour’s 1948 austerity budget, continued rationing, ID cards (abolished 1952), housing shortages had set the tone for labour’s decrease in electoral support for both general elections. In October 1951, only some 20 months after Labour’s marginal victory in the 1950 election, the Conservatives took power by an equally slim majority of parliamentary seats, despite polling fewer votes.
During both election campaigns, Winston Churchill played-up his successful wartime record symbolised by depicting his two-finger V-sign for victory on the badge. SET THE PEOPLE FREE slogan was also a battle-cry alluding to the class struggles of post-war Britain and much attested to in the Conservative’s campaigning against the Labour government’s socialist policies.
.
References:
www.alphabetthreat.co.uk/pasttense/pdf/idcards.pdf (Contains a picture of an ID card that proved with the British public with their continuation after WW2 had ceased).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_general_election,_1950 (1950 British General Election results).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_general_election,_1951 (1951 British General Election results).
www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/background/pastelec... (A BBC article on the 1951 general election).
.
Enamels: 3 (red, black & white).
Finish: Gilt.
Material: Brass.
Fixer: Pin.
Size: 5/8” x 5/8” (about 22mm x 22mm).
Process: Die stamped.
Makers: J&J B’ham (anyone identify this maker, please?).
.
Thank you for reading.
Stuart.