(British Elections in 1950 - campaigning the old fashioned way)
Even though the elections in Britain wouldn't take place until the 23rd of February, interest in the turnout was eagerly watched in the States. So CBS Radio ran a special program The People Speak on February 2, 1950 to discuss the upcoming election and the issues. Since it was an off-year election here, and since the issue of Universal Health Care was a hot topic around Americans homes, the continuance of the Universal Health Care was closely watched over here.
Elmo Roper (CBS News): “Perhaps the most controversial issue of all is also the most popular measure of all. That is the National Health Scheme under which the people of Britain are assured medical assistance from their government. Almost a third of the British people cite this as the Labour Party’s outstanding achievement in its past five years in office”.
The Labour Party under Clement Attlee stayed in power, narrowly defeating Winston Churchill and the Conservative Party. But it was short lived as another election was called a little over a year later and the Conservative Party led by Winston Churchill regained the majority in Parliament.
Universal Health Care guaranteed for everyone in Britain didn't change one iota.
