some industries, these policies were broadly accepted by the three major parties, as well as by industry, the financial community and the labour movement. Until the 1980s, historians generally agreed on the existence and importance of the consensus. Some historians such as Ralph Miliband expressed disappointment that the consensus was a modest or even conservative package that blocked a fully socialized society. Historian Angus Calder complained bitterly that the post-war reforms were an inadequate reward for the wartime sacrifices, and a cynical betrayal of the people's hope for a more just post-war society. In recent years, there has been a historiographical debate on whether such a consensus ever existed. Fate In the February 1950 general election the Labour Party narrowly maintained their majority by just 5 seats. This was insufficient to govern however, due to the Bevanite split causing tensions in the party. Another general election was called in 1951 to try and increase their majority. However, in the October 1951 general elections the Conservatives returned to power under Winston Churchill. Labour was to remain out of office for the next thirteen years, until 1964, when Harold Wilson became Prime Minister. Cabinets First Attlee ministry 1945–1950 Clement Attlee: Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Herbert Morrison: Deputy Prime Minister, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons The Viscount Jowitt: Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain Arthur Greenwood: Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal Hugh Dalton: Chancellor of the Exchequer Ernest Bevin: Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs James Chuter Ede: Secretary of State for the Home Department George Hall: Secretary of State for the Colonies The Viscount Addison: Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs and Leader of the House of Lords The Lord Pethick-Lawrence: Secretary of State for India and Burma A. V. Alexander: First Lord of the Admiralty Jack Lawson: Secretary of State for War The Viscount Stansgate: Secretary of State for Air Ellen Wilkinson: Minister of Education Joseph Westwood: Secretary of State for Scotland Tom Williams: Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries George Isaacs: Minister of Labour and National Service Aneurin Bevan: Minister of Health Sir Stafford Cripps: President of the Board of Trade Emanuel Shinwell: Minister of Fuel and Power Changes July 1946 – Arthur Greenwood becomes Paymaster General as well as Lord Privy Seal. October 1946 – The three service ministers (Secretary of State for War, Secretary of State for Air, and