2010 University of Leeds / Mori Poll of post war leaders
# Prime Minister Years in Office Political party 1 Clement Attlee 1945–1951 Labour 2 Margaret Thatcher 1979–1990 Conservative 3 Tony Blair 1997–2007 Labour 4 Harold Macmillan 1957–1963 Conservative 5 Harold Wilson 1964–1970, 1974–1976 Labour 6 Sir Winston Churchill (1940–1945), 1951–1955 Conservative 7 James Callaghan 1976–1979 Labour 8 John Major 1990–1997 Conservative 9 Edward Heath 1970–1974 Conservative 10 Gordon Brown 2007–2010 Labour 11 Sir Alec Douglas-Home 1963–1964 Conservative 12 Sir Anthony Eden 1955–1957 Conservative
That ranking more or less sums up my views, when you look at what they achieved and how their governments changed the country (even if you disagree with the actual policies)
Atlee .. oversaw the creation of the embryonic modern welfare state McMillan ... foreign affairs and scandals disasters except for rapprochement with Kruschev... but oversaw wholesale new town and public housing development Cameron .. expert manipulation of a difficult coaltion government and gave the opportunity for the UK to get out of the mess which is the EU
James Callaghan introduced Cats Eyes onto the motorways when he was Junior Transport minister in Atlee's government.
Doesn't sound quite right, Mr OneLung.
First motorway wasn't opened until December 1958 (Preston bypass, now part of the M6). Atllee's government was in power only between 1945-51.
What was it like Oggy ?
Haha .... I bet you're even older than me, Shooters!
I can remember as an 8 year old, being driven by my father up the then recently opened M1 ..... just miles and miles of relatively empty dual carriageway, and under bright new concrete bridges already daubed with the slogan, "Marples Must Go". That would be about 1963, when the M1 had been open around 4 years.
Judging on effectiveness, leaving my own political views aside
Best since the war: Attlee, Thatcher, Blair Worst since the war: Eden, Brown, Wilson (74-76, he was OK in the 60s).
Churchill was a great war leader but he was almost completely incapacitated after his stroke in 1953, which he managed to keep secret from the public, despite everyone on the press knowing (eat your heart out Hilary).
Bit unfair on Wilson 74-76. He inherited a recession from Heath, was forced to go for another GE in 74 and had a majority of 3 seats - but by 76 when he handed over to Jim the economy was growing (but so was unemployment).
He wasn't as radical as his 64-70 government but still substantial reforms were made to pensions and the welfare state. He wasn't a well man either.
Bit unfair on Wilson 74-76. He inherited a recession from Heath, was forced to go for another GE in 74 and had a majority of 3 seats - but by 76 when he handed over to Jim the economy was growing (but so was unemployment).
He wasn't as radical as his 64-70 government but still substantial reforms were made to pensions and the welfare state. He wasn't a well man either.
He did inherit a bad hand which he played abysmally. He was dreadful. No energy. Completely dominated by the deranged Marcia Williams, an alcoholic drinking brandy for breakfast and through the day. Capped off by the corrupt and disgusting Lavender list. He was very ill but that's no excuse. He knew before 1974 that he wasn't well enough to be PM and he should have resigned then.
He did throw money at the welfare state and education. It was money we couldn't afford and was accompanied by no reform or improvement of services.
Bit unfair on Wilson 74-76. He inherited a recession from Heath, was forced to go for another GE in 74 and had a majority of 3 seats - but by 76 when he handed over to Jim the economy was growing (but so was unemployment).
He wasn't as radical as his 64-70 government but still substantial reforms were made to pensions and the welfare state. He wasn't a well man either.
He did inherit a bad hand which he played abysmally. He was dreadful. No energy. Completely dominated by the deranged Marcia Williams, an alcoholic drinking brandy for breakfast and through the day. Capped off by the corrupt and disgusting Lavender list. He was very ill but that's no excuse. He knew before 1974 that he wasn't well enough to be PM and he should have resigned then.
He did throw money at the welfare state and education. It was money we couldn't afford and was accompanied by no reform or improvement of services.
One thing for Wilson is that he kept us out of Vietnam.
Bit unfair on Wilson 74-76. He inherited a recession from Heath, was forced to go for another GE in 74 and had a majority of 3 seats - but by 76 when he handed over to Jim the economy was growing (but so was unemployment).
He wasn't as radical as his 64-70 government but still substantial reforms were made to pensions and the welfare state. He wasn't a well man either.
He did inherit a bad hand which he played abysmally. He was dreadful. No energy. Completely dominated by the deranged Marcia Williams, an alcoholic drinking brandy for breakfast and through the day. Capped off by the corrupt and disgusting Lavender list. He was very ill but that's no excuse. He knew before 1974 that he wasn't well enough to be PM and he should have resigned then.
He did throw money at the welfare state and education. It was money we couldn't afford and was accompanied by no reform or improvement of services.
One thing for Wilson is that he kept us out of Vietnam.
Compare and contrast with Blair.
That was in his 60s incarnation, when as I said he was OK.
Bit unfair on Wilson 74-76. He inherited a recession from Heath, was forced to go for another GE in 74 and had a majority of 3 seats - but by 76 when he handed over to Jim the economy was growing (but so was unemployment).
He wasn't as radical as his 64-70 government but still substantial reforms were made to pensions and the welfare state. He wasn't a well man either.
He did inherit a bad hand which he played abysmally. He was dreadful. No energy. Completely dominated by the deranged Marcia Williams, an alcoholic drinking brandy for breakfast and through the day. Capped off by the corrupt and disgusting Lavender list. He was very ill but that's no excuse. He knew before 1974 that he wasn't well enough to be PM and he should have resigned then.
He did throw money at the welfare state and education. It was money we couldn't afford and was accompanied by no reform or improvement of services.
One thing for Wilson is that he kept us out of Vietnam.
Compare and contrast with Blair.
That was in his 60s incarnation, when as I said he was OK.
Having Eden as worst seems a little unfair, he was in a situation where it was hard for anyone to excel.
I feel a bit sorry for him as well. He was hooked on (prescribed) speed throughout his Premiership. But his conduct over Suez is pretty much unforgiveable. A sad end to a distinguished and often brave career.
Any chance he had a sneak at the findings and got out of the way early?
The fuckwits at the Guardian were massive supporters for intervention. I remember article after article imploring Cameron and the west to intervene and save the jihadists freedom fighters in Benghazi. Cameron was an idiot get involved and but it's disingenuous to airbrush the role of the media in pushing for 'something' to be done.
Any chance he had a sneak at the findings and got out of the way early?
The fuckwits at the Guardian were massive supporters for intervention. I remember article after article imploring Cameron and the west to intervene and save the jihadists freedom fighters in Benghazi. Cameron was an idiot get involved and but it's disingenuous to airbrush the role of the media in pushing for 'something' to be done.
You mean the media should be held accountable for the things they publish? Good luck with that.
Any chance he had a sneak at the findings and got out of the way early?
The fuckwits at the Guardian were massive supporters for intervention. I remember article after article imploring Cameron and the west to intervene and save the jihadists freedom fighters in Benghazi. Cameron was an idiot get involved and but it's disingenuous to airbrush the role of the media in pushing for 'something' to be done.
Comments
Atlee
Thatcher
Macmillan
Churchill was the perfect leader for the war, but not necessarily so great in peacetime
McMillan ... foreign affairs and scandals disasters except for rapprochement with Kruschev... but oversaw wholesale new town and public housing development
Cameron .. expert manipulation of a difficult coaltion government and gave the opportunity for the UK to get out of the mess which is the EU
So many historic events for him to choose from .....his answer? Getting 'cats eyes' on roads.
First motorway wasn't opened until December 1958 (Preston bypass, now part of the M6).
Atllee's government was in power only between 1945-51.
I can remember as an 8 year old, being driven by my father up the then recently opened M1 ..... just miles and miles of relatively empty dual carriageway, and under bright new concrete bridges already daubed with the slogan, "Marples Must Go". That would be about 1963, when the M1 had been open around 4 years.
Anyone else remember?
Best since the war: Attlee, Thatcher, Blair
Worst since the war: Eden, Brown, Wilson (74-76, he was OK in the 60s).
Churchill was a great war leader but he was almost completely incapacitated after his stroke in 1953, which he managed to keep secret from the public, despite everyone on the press knowing (eat your heart out Hilary).
He wasn't as radical as his 64-70 government but still substantial reforms were made to pensions and the welfare state. He wasn't a well man either.
He did throw money at the welfare state and education. It was money we couldn't afford and was accompanied by no reform or improvement of services.
Compare and contrast with Blair.
Blair also kept us out of Vietnam.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/14/mps-deliver-damning-verdict-on-camerons-libya-intervention
Any chance he had a sneak at the findings and got out of the way early?
jihadistsfreedom fighters in Benghazi. Cameron was an idiot get involved and but it's disingenuous to airbrush the role of the media in pushing for 'something' to be done.