Clement Attlee (3 Jan. 1883 - 8 Oct. 1967)
Attlee was serving as leader of the opposition when the war began. Following the Norway campaign and its failings, Chamberlain’s reputation soured. Attlee would be unable to convince the Labour Party to join Chamberlain in an emergency coalition, and when Chamberlain resigned, Labour and Conservatives entered a coalition government under the premiership of Winston Churchill.
In the coalition, Attlee served as Churchill’s deputy in the War Cabinet and Defence Committee, but chaired the Lord President’s Committee. Overall throughout the war, Attlee served many different positions including Lord Privy Seal and Lord President of the Council, through which he remained on the War Cabinet.
As an ally to Churchill, Attlee could not be beaten. He supported Churchill in the government, often giving Churchill the majority he needed to continue fighting the war.
For more information on Clement Attlee:
Attlee, Clement. As It Happened. (1954)
Lee, J.M. The Churchill Coalition, 1940 - 1945. (London: Batsford Academic and Educational), 1980.
Taylor, A.J.P. English History, 1914 - 1945. (Oxford: Oxford University Press), 1992.
In the coalition, Attlee served as Churchill’s deputy in the War Cabinet and Defence Committee, but chaired the Lord President’s Committee. Overall throughout the war, Attlee served many different positions including Lord Privy Seal and Lord President of the Council, through which he remained on the War Cabinet.
As an ally to Churchill, Attlee could not be beaten. He supported Churchill in the government, often giving Churchill the majority he needed to continue fighting the war.
For more information on Clement Attlee:
Attlee, Clement. As It Happened. (1954)
Lee, J.M. The Churchill Coalition, 1940 - 1945. (London: Batsford Academic and Educational), 1980.
Taylor, A.J.P. English History, 1914 - 1945. (Oxford: Oxford University Press), 1992.