The Phoenix Generation at Westminster Great War Veterans Turned Tory MPs, Democratic Political Culture, and the path of British Conservatism from the Armistice to the Welfare State Richard Carr BA East Anglia, M.Phil Cantab September 2010 Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. School of History, University of East Anglia. This copy of the thesis has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is understood to recognise that its copyright rests with the author and that no quotation from the thesis, nor any information derived therefrom, may be published without the author's prior, written consent. © 1 Abstract This analysis intertwines two narratives: the impact of the Great War upon British public life, and the history of the Conservative Party. It shows how the memory of 1914-18 influenced Westminster politics for decades after the conflict. Whereas previous accounts have placed the ex-serviceman at the periphery of events – in pressure groups like the British Legion or as single issue campaigners fighting for issues directly connected to soldierly causes (war pensions, memorials and such) – this analyses those soldiers who became Conservative MPs after 1918 as a distinct and philosophically inquisitive cohort, and places them within the key trends and issues of the day. Using numerous archival sources, together with primary and secondary literature, it illustrates how the war formed a turning point in the lives of politicians later to assume prominence (including Harold Macmillan and Anthony Eden) together with lesser names. It places such figures within the Conservative Party structure – outlining bones of contention with the leadership, principally Stanley Baldwin, and at the same time shows where the ex-serviceman cohort was unable to reach consensus. In its later sections, it shows why such a body did not rise up and rebel against parliamentary democracy in Great Britain, as they did in Germany and Italy. It also challenges popular perceptions of the political isolation of Oswald Mosley, the shape of anti-appeasement movements within Westminster, and the nature of the post-war consensus. Finally, it outlines how this cohort was eventually eclipsed by younger men, and how an understanding of this very eclipse can help explain the path British politics took in the second half of the twentieth century. Partially jettisoned then, is the impression painted by literary works of a generation shell-shocked to the point of inertia, and condemned to wallow in despair. In its place emerges a tale of sustained political activism. Word Count This thesis comprises a total of 96,449 words. Thesis Content Statement The following represents only the candidate’s work (i.e. nothing by way of collaboration), and has not been previously submitted for any degree, at UEA or elsewhere. 2 List of Abbreviations The following are acronyms and abbreviations used in the main body of text. Footnotes are also abbreviated, indicated in the bibliography. B.U.F. – British Union of Fascists D.S.O. – Distinguished Service Order L.N.U. – League of Nation’s Union M.C. – Military Cross N.U.X. – National Union of Ex-Servicemen O.T.C. – Officer Training Corps O.W.D. – Out of Work Donation Scheme, introduced in November 1918. R.I.C. – Royal Irish Constabulary T.R.C. – Tory Reform Committee U.D.C. – Union of Democratic Control Y.M.C.A. – the loose alignment of young Tory members that emerged in the mid- 1920s. 3 Acknowledgements Having researched long deceased Tory politicians for almost four years, I have many to thank for both their help and occasional patience. Academically, my BA at UEA provided a solid base from which to build. Ian Farr and Geoff Hicks helped curb my tendencies towards waffle, and focused my attention on the interwar years. During my postgraduate year at Cambridge, Jon Lawrence helped shape many of the techniques that inform this study. Given the sometimes tenuous nature of my requests, it would be remiss not to reserve a word of thanks to the various archivists and librarians I have directly or indirectly bothered in Birmingham, Cambridge, Dublin, Guernsey, Hertford, London, Norwich and Oxford. Allen Packwood at the Churchill Archives Centre has been particularly helpful. Lady Avon and the Conservative Party kindly gave me permission to access their material. John Colfox has shared memories of his father which helped bring the interwar period a little closer to home. Many have read or heard what follows in its early stages. To the organisers at the various conferences I have attended, my thanks. Ben Worthy at the Constitution Unit, UCL has read and commented on the election chapter. David Singerman has allowed me to impinge upon our friendship, and take time off from his own PhD at MIT, by also taking a look in parts. Bradley Hart of Churchill College, Cambridge has read through an early draft of the work in its entirety, offered helpful comments, and remained typically breezy throughout, even on the ludicrously slow and often WiFi less X-5 to Oxford. For accommodation and friendship - particularly throughout my nomadic first doctoral year - I cannot ignore Pablo Candela, Jonathan Hollander, Lloyd Husbands, Huw Jones and Shoop Oei. Pete Cherns has received my email banter with good humour from Grenoble. My thanks to them all. The staff at Caffe Nero, Market Street, Cambridge deserve a medal, or at least a muffin. Likewise, Viva La Maharajah! For my PhD years at UEA I must thank the Faculty of Arts and Humanities for financial support. Malcolm Gaskill has been of great assistance regarding the Charles Loseby papers, whilst Steve Cherry and Larry Butler have read through and commented on the first three chapters in their embryonic forms. Even if he may disagree in part with what follows, John Charmley has provided kind and focused supervision throughout. He has been a pleasure to work with, and his encouragement is much appreciated. Paradoxically for a study focused almost entirely on men, I must conclude by thanking two women. Anything I have accomplished would not be possible without the continued support of my mother, Deirdre. From birth to adulthood one could not wish for a more caring figure. I am immensely grateful for all she has done for me. Latterly, Sarah Kathryn Barnes has provided a love and affection the gratitude for which I cannot adequately express. She has put up with, most probably, the odd bout of grumpiness in the time we have known one another. She has also had to toil in a lab whilst I swan about indulging in the caffeine filled lethargy of a history PhD. All I can say in return is how glad I am that she is the biggest part of my life, and that I love her more than anything. 4 Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Word Count .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Thesis Content Statement ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 List of Abbreviations ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 .1 The Problem .............................................................................................................................................................................. 8 .2 The Pervasion of Trauma ................................................................................................................................................. 13 .3 Structure ................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 .4 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................................... 21 .5 The War and Conservatism ............................................................................................................................................ 24 .6 Mannheim and Generations ........................................................................................................................................... 27 .7 Who Were the Phoenix Generation? .......................................................................................................................... 32 .8 Chapter by Chapter ............................................................................................................................................................. 33 1: 1914 and All That ..................................................................................................................................................................... 38 1.1 A Vision of Pre-War Eton .............................................................................................................................................