Fading respect Cynicism has implications for future of Westminster

The 1940s and 50s are often seen as a golden era for democracy, when Britain and its allies triumphed against fascism before the postwar consensus powered the formation of the welfare state and National Health Service. Britain was a nation broadly content with itself and its values, and almost completely unquestioning of its system of government.

Even in those patriotic times there was, however, a good deal of cynicism about the motivations of politicians among a significant proportion of the population.

A landmark Gallup poll in 1944 found that 35% of voters