Crisis in Britain 1951
- London Secker & Warburg 1963
- 312 p.
Dr. Joan Mitchell, of the Depart ment of Economics of Notting ham University, has analysed in detail Britain's most crucial post war year-1951. This was the year that set Britain and most other developed countries on the path of continually mounting armament expenditure. It was the of the year biggest balance of payments crisis yet and the year of the collapse of the Labour Government.
Primarily Dr. Mitchell examines the relations between these events and their ultimate consequences from the statistical and economic point of view, but political events are given their proper place. She shows how the British Govern ment was weak, divided and badly advised. However, in contrast, she strongly praises the performance of Mr. Hugh Gaitskell as Chancel lor of the Exchequer. She describes in detail his conflict with Mr. Harold Wilson and how their differences brought them to the fore and helped them gain the eventual leadership of the Labour Party. Both Mr. Gaitskell (who writes "extremely fair and well balanced") and Mr. Wilson (who says "I think it is highly authorita tive and expert..