1922-37: Andrew Bonar Law, Stanley Baldwin, J. Ramsey MacDonald
David
Lloyd George was succeeded by Tories Andrew Bonar Law (1858-1923, PM 1922/23,
his signature on the left) and Stanley Baldwin (1867-1947, PM 1923, 24-29,
35-37), and the first Labour Prime Minister, James Ramsay MacDonald (1866-1937,
PM 1924, 29-35).
Baldwin is best known
today for his work during his last
ministry.
When King George V. died in 1936 and his eldest son Edward decided not to follow his father on the throne, it was Baldwin who "saved monarchy" during the constitutional crisis. Baldwin retired soon after the coronation of George VI., becoming "Earl Baldwin of Bewdley" the same year. He signed "Baldwin of Bewdley" after 1937, but here you can see a more common signature (from a letter to a friend, Dec. 1930).
J. Ramsey MacDonald (1866-1937) was the first Labour
Prime Minister. The party itself was
founded in 1900 and continually became the second power in
Great Britain (beside the Tories), the Liberals became less important. MacDonald
was born in Schottland and became an important figure in the new Labour party.
In January 1924, he became Prime Minister when Baldwin and the Tories had
lost the General Election, and served also as foreign secretary and Leader
of the Commons. In late 1924, Labour lost another Election and Baldwin came
to Power again, but MacDonald returned 1929-35.
Please click here to continue...
Or go back to "Prime Minister (20th Century) - Index"