Labour finally returned to office in 1964 after nearly a generation in the political wilderness.

But the party’s grip on power looked far from secure. The new Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, had a Commons majority of just five seats, leaving a second election in the near future a necessity.

Although they had lost, the Conservatives had proved remarkably resilient.

Since the last election in 1959 their government had been rocked by scandals, resignations and a change of leadership yet they only just lost out on winning a fourth election in a row.