Conclusion

Abstract

In the 1940s and 1950s the House of Commons was the main forum for airing political issues that today would be churned over on the television and radio. Although Conservative backbenchers could not affect the flow of events, their ability to influence the climate of debate and contribution to setting the limits of acceptable policy was considerable — hence the significance of a possible Tory split and the leverage dissident Conservatives could give a Cabinet minister.¹