Attlee, Clement Richard, 1st Earl

views updated

Attlee, Clement Richard, 1st Earl (1883–1967) British statesman, prime minister (1945–51). Attlee joined the Fabian Society in 1907, and became a Labour member of Parliament in 1922. He joined the Labour government in 1930, but resigned when Ramsay MacDonald formed a National Coalition (1931). Attlee became leader of the Labour Party in 1935. During World War II, he served in Winston Churchill's wartime cabinet, first as Dominions Secretary (1942–43) and then as deputy prime minister (1942–45). Attlee won a landslide victory in the 1945 general election. His administration was notable for the introduction of important social reforms, such as the National Health Service (NHS) and the nationalization of the power industries, the railways and the Bank of England. He also granted independence to India (1947) and Burma (1948). Attlee was re-elected in 1950, but was defeated by Winston Churchill in the 1951 general election. He continued to serve as leader of the opposition until he retired and accepted an earldom in 1955.

http://www.number-10.gov.uk

More From encyclopedia.com