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You are here: UK History > Evolution of British politics > Notable British politicians
While we recognise the ministers that go on to lead their parties and then the country, there are individuals who helped shape politics as we know it.
Here are some of the notable figures who made a difference to British politics.
Often remembered as one of the UK’s best loved prime ministers, Churchill is best known for his role in government during WWII. Prior to being Conservative Prime Minister, he was a liberal minister under H H Asquith and after re-joining the Conservatives, was named First Lord of the Admiralty, before succeeding Neville Chamberlain as prime minister. He served a second term in the 1950s and on his death was given a state funeral.
Generally considered to be the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, Walpole was also the...Read More
While we recognise the ministers that go on to lead their parties and then the country, there are individuals who helped shape politics as we know it.
Here are some of the notable figures who made a difference to British politics.
Often remembered as one of the UK’s best loved prime ministers, Churchill is best known for his role in government during WWII. Prior to being Conservative Prime Minister, he was a liberal minister under H H Asquith and after re-joining the Conservatives, was named First Lord of the Admiralty, before succeeding Neville Chamberlain as prime minister. He served a second term in the 1950s and on his death was given a state funeral.
Generally considered to be the first Prime Minister of Great Britain, Walpole was also the longest serving British Prime Minister. During his time in power, he promoted a strategy of peace which greatly contributed to the country’s prosperity.
Perceval remains the only prime minister to have been assassinated. He was shot in the lobby of the House of Commons by John Bellingham, a merchant from Liverpool. It is said that he came to parliament in protestation against Perceval’s policies which had caused widespread poverty and unrest.
A Welsh Labour Party politician who became the Minister for Health in Clement Atlee’s post war government and was the youngest member of the cabinet. He is credited with establishing the National Health Service.
Born in America, Astor would become a British socialite before becoming the first woman MP to sit in the House of Commons. She served from 1919 until 1945 after standing in a by election for her husband’s seat after he moved into the House of Lords.
As Britain’s first Welsh Prime Minister, his first language was Welsh rather than English and is credited with teaching Prince Charles a few phases for when he was proclaimed Prince of Wales. Lloyd George first rose to prominence as the Chancellor under H H Asquith’s wartime government of 1914, before later becoming Prime Minister. He was a major player in the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, negotiated independence for the Irish Free State and granted suffrage to women.
Britain’s first female Prime Minister and known as the Iron Lady, Thatcher is both loved and reviled alike. On becoming prime minister, she introduced a series of economic policies intended to reverse high inflation. During her premiership, she oversaw the privatisation of state companies and reduced the power of trade unions.
Britain’s second female Prime Minister, Theresa May’s government oversaw the signing of the EU withdrawal agreement which officially marked the UK leaving the European Union. The referendum which saw a vote to leave the EU was implemented by her predecessor, David Cameron.
During his first term as Prime Minister, Peel also served as Chancellor of the Exchequer. He served a second term as PM, as well as serving as Home Secretary and is regarded as the father of modern British Policing because he helped establish the Metropolitan Police. Along with Benjamin Disraeli, he is credited as creating the modern Conservative party.
Not only was Pitt the first Prime Minister of the united nation as Great Britain and Ireland, but was also the youngest Prime Minister ever at the age of 24. He served for a total of 18 years, making him the second longest serving British prime minister of all time.
As leaders of the Suffragettes and Suffragists respectively, the Pankhursts and Millicent Fawcett campaigned for women’s suffrage.
Having been an MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington since 1987, Diane Abbott was the first black woman to be elected to parliament and is the longest serving black MP in the House of Commons. She is a member of the socialist arm of the Labour Party.
A Scottish trade unionist and politician, he was the founder of the Labour Party and the party’s first parliamentary leader, though only remained leader of the party for two years. He campaigned for women’s suffrage, Indian home rule and opposed WWI. He died in 1915 while trying to organise a pacifist general strike.
Leader of the Labour Party from 1922 and the first Labour Prime Minister.
The First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party. Sturgeon is the first woman to hold either position. She was advocating for a second referendum on Scottish Independence before being ousted as leader during a scandal.
Initially a Member of Parliament, first as a Conservative, then an independent, then as a member of the Labour Party, Mosely drifted towards fascism in the 1920s and became the leader of the British Union of Fascists. His supporters, known as Black Shirts joined him on a march through areas with a high population of Jewish residents which resulted in violence, known as the Battle of Cable Street. The march was called off. Mosely was a friend of Adolf Hitler and married his second wife Diana Mitford in his presence. In 1940, Mosely and Mitford were imprisoned and the BUF was banned. He was released in 1943 and moved abroad.
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