On 10 January 1957, Harold Macmillan assumed the office of Prime Minister following the resignation of Anthony Eden. Eden’s departure was precipitated by the political and diplomatic fallout of the Suez Crisis, which had severely damaged the standing of the Conservative government. Macmillan, who had previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer, was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II to lead the nation during a period of significant transition and international instability.

The premiership of Macmillan is most frequently associated with the period of post-war affluence that defined the late 1950s and early 1960s in Britain. Under his leadership, the country experienced rising living standards and a consumer boom, famously encapsulated by his assertion that the British people had never had it so good. His administration sought to maintain economic stability while navigating the complexities of a changing global landscape.

Macmillan’s tenure was also marked by his active engagement in Cold War diplomacy. He worked to strengthen the special relationship with the United States while simultaneously attempting to position Britain as a key mediator between the superpowers. Furthermore, his government oversaw the accelerating process of decolonisation, as Britain began the systematic withdrawal from its remaining imperial territories across Africa and Asia, reflecting the shifting geopolitical realities of the era.

Key aspects of his administration included:

• The restoration of stability within the Conservative Party following the Suez Crisis.
• A focus on maintaining high levels of employment and economic growth.
• The management of Britain's changing role on the international stage.
• The initiation of the process of granting independence to numerous colonial territories.
• Efforts to foster closer ties with European neighbours.