Miscellaneous - This Day That Age   

dated December 9, 1955: Attlee retires

Mr. Clement Attlee on December 7 laid down the leadership of Britain's Labour Party at the age of 72 after 20 historic years as its head. Mr. Attlee announced his resignation at a full meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, after formally offering it to a meeting of Labour's "Shadow Cabinet." Mr. Attlee's departure from Labour leadership puts an end to months of speculation about "that, decent little man" as Sir Winston Churchill once called him. The news of his resignation has been received with genuine regret throughout the country, for although he was unspectacular and uninspiring as a leader, he is regarded with a certain degree of affection by the public at large, and his moderation and integrity have commanded respect in all parties, not the least among the Tories. Mr. Attlee has been leader of the Labour Party since October 1935, when he succeeded Mr. George Lansbury. His tenure of that position has exceeded that of any other leader in any party under modern conditions of party politics in Britain. The veteran Socialist statesman was Prime Minister from 1945 to 1951 in the two post-war Labour Governments which transformed Britain into a "welfare State."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

CARTOONSCAPE
The Hindu Crossword 8469
Solution to Puzzle 8468
Illumining experience
dated December 9, 1955: Attlee retires
dated December 9, 1955: Hire purchase for cars
dated December 9, 1955: Death penalty
Weather

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu