Britain in the 1950’s had a consumer boom, economic growth and rise in the middle classes which can loosely be compared to the stereotypical American experience. This era has been commonly and somewhat nostalgically (as it all goes wrong from the 1960s) been identified by PM Harold Macmillan’s famous speech in 1957 where he states Britons “have never had it so good”. However what is commonly missed out is that in the next breath he proceeded to highlight the underlining weakness in the UK economy which threatened this prosperity. This neatly sums up Britain in the 50’s. There were real changes for the newly minted and newly consumerism-rich middle classes – though not to the extent of America. This was however stilted towards a small section of society and perilously insecure economically. The economic model which in some ways generated this was also significantly different to that of the USA.

The Political Background

Politically and economically the UK arrived at the 1950’s boom from a very different angle than the USA. Post-war the first effective Labour (Social Democratic) government came to power pushing a radically Keynesian and Interventionist agenda over their 6 years. The Conservatives only wrestled back power by essentially accepting the new social democratic mandate: Demand led economics, high progressive taxation funding a large and interventionist state, state control of key industries. At best they shaved the excesses of Labour (more about the shift of the Conservatives if interested in the 3rd paragraph here and made it more amenable to the middle classes. However overall the tenements of the new socio-economic consensus were popular, people liked the NHS, the fact the rich paid more and that the government effectively subsidised coal – even the middle classes. Thorneycroft, the most fiscally Hawkish of Chancellors until Heath in the 1970s was unceremoniously marginalised pretty much within seconds of proposing an alternative more capitalist economic model. Therefore the 1950s saw prosperity but not due to a runaway capitalism. British 1950’s prosperity was present, distributed fairly well amongst the middle classes, but still muted compared to across the Atlantic. The spirit of redistribution and general anaemia of the British economy meant that the British were materially worse off than their American cousins. There is clearly a debate about how far/why America experienced a boom which is a little beyond my purview, however it is safe to say that the yanks were better off.

Similarities

The grammar school system which started in the late 1940s started to have a notable effect on the middle classes. As a consciously rarefied institution modelled on the private school systems it provided a higher level of academic instruction than average. It was, of course, dominated by the middle class who had the financial and social resources to secure entry at a much higher rate. By the mid-1950s these young middle classes were finding their way in increasing numbers to established professions which had been somewhat closed due to the limits of education. It is important not to overstate this – there was some, generally faith based, institutions which provided educational opportunities before. Overall however there is a general trend towards a larger, more aspirant, richer and more homogenous middle class.

Equally as important, there was an economic upswing starting from around 1949 with the devaluation of the pound, but it was really felt from 1951 onwards. The rise of the tertiary sector and office-based work also was really kick started in this era. Both of these increased the provision of middle class jobs – clerks, managers, professionals etc. and the real wages (up 50% from 1950-1955 when cost of living went up 30%) followed. While this was a general trend the middle classes were seeing a disproportionate amount of this fiscal rise.

The 1950s saw a boom in disposable income for many Britons, particularly amongst the middle classes. With it followed all of the materialist hallmarks of America as products were imported or developed/copied in England. The number of cars in ownership doubled across the decade, BBC TV licences went from 15,000 in 1946 to 5 million by 1956 and general consumer expenditure (Vacuum cleaners, fridges and to a much lesser extent microwaves) went up by 45%, again mostly concentrated in the middle classes.

Likewise, the Housing Minister for the early years and future PM Harold Macmillan pushed for increasing property ownership amongst these groups. Historians debate whether it was down to generosity, that property owners tend to become more conservative or that it naturally appealed to the moderate MC base the Tories were going for. In any case there was a surge of property building, particularly around the major cities leading to the creation of many new suburbs (such as Croydon) and the re-gentrification of areas on the periphery with good housing stock but for one reason or another had fell into slum use (such as Kentish Town). The Tories built around 300,000 houses a year with 60% of them private. These, for town planning and infrastructure reasons tended to be closer to the city centres and less isolated from other areas and pockets of poverty – and thus did not have the same ‘feel’ as the American image of rows and rows of exclusively homogenous MC families with well-manicured lawns. Also this is Britain, our houses were much smaller!

I think one of the most important facts which is sometimes overlooked is that it is in this era that the self-concept of being ‘middle class’ really solidifies and grows as an meaningful distinction. The middle class lifestyle became associated, and very quickly codified by several hallmarks which are similar to the US. These include: Ownership of the newest household aids (though the list is smaller in the UK), home ownership, car ownership and a non-manual relatively well paid job.

Differences

While materially there is much the same it should be noted that in all of the above cases the UK experience is much more muted than the US. Class still precluded entry or credit to really reach the upper echelons of most businesses and areas in the public sector. Limiting the disposable income and thus material wealth of the middle classes, compounded by the higher expense of many of the imported material goods. The relative poverty and greater redistribution of wealth of the UK meant that this was further muted. Overall then materially an American winner of the boom would recognise his British-equal but slightly pity him.

Finally the self-concept of middle class is different to the US model in one important, and very British, regard. The self-concept of these winners of the 50’s boom is notably more exclusive, treasuring hallmarks which can distinguish them from the lower classes and move them closer into the orbit of the upper-classes (who incidentally frequently bemoaned these gauche upstarts). Thus being middle class became associated with consumption of a particular kind of ‘refined’ culture, modelled on the BBC which in these days was a hallmark of high taste. Educational background, either grammar or minor private was essential but as was, at least socially, the right accent – not belying any impoverished upbringing. To be middle class in the 1950s was to be different- a moralistic and intellectual cut above, something the suburbs routinely kept an eye on and discussed by neighbours in the suburbs. This is the origin of much of the comedy and pushback in the 1960s and 1970s: scandal happening very deliberately behind the net curtains in the suburbs, with a studiously built face of refined and stable family life for public consumption.

TL;DR Due to an economic upswing, a favourable government and consumerism bleeding across the Atlantic there was a similar boom. However this boom was much more muted and the culture of middle class life took a very English quirk.

Sources

As ever, Kenneth Morgan Britain since 1945: The People’s Peace ISBN: 9780192802255

Peter Clark Hope and Glory: Britain 1900-2000 ISBN: 9780141011752

Peter Hennessy Having it so Good: Britain in the Fifties ISBN: 9780141004099

Dominic Sandbrook Never had it so Good: Britain from the Suez to the Beatles ISBN: 9780349115306

David Kynaston Family Britain: 1951-1957 ISBN: 9781408800836