The General Election of 1945

Abstract

Early in 1945 it became clear that the Coalition Government was drawing to a close as the Allies marched on to victory. Churchill himself was in favour of continuing the Coalition until the final surrender of Japan, which was not expected until some time in 1946. The Labour party felt that this was too long a time to wait, and argued for a dissolution in August. Churchill, however, did not believe that the Coalition could function properly under the shadow of an imminent General Election. He therefore opted for a dissolution as soon as possible, and meanwhile he presided over a ‘caretaker’ Government. Although that Government consisted mostly of Conservatives, it was leavened by some non-political figures, of whom Woolton was at that time one.