James Callaghan Biography and Timeline

Birth of James Callaghan

Birth of James Callaghan

Member of Parliament

Elected Member of Parliament

Role range: 1945-1951

Speech

Makes his maiden speech in Parliament

Role range: 1945-1951

Secretary

Appointed Secretary in the Ministry of Transport

Role range: 1945-1951 – 1947-1950

Secretary

Appointed Secretary to the Admiralty

Role range: 1945-1951 – 1950-1951

Shadow Minister

Appointed Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1st term

Election

Defeated by Harold Wilson for leadership of the Labour Party

Shadow Minister

Appointed Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, 2nd term

Budget

Announces increases in social benefits & the introduction of capital gains tax

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1967

Chancellor of the Exchequer

Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1967

Corporation Tax

Callaghan announces corporation tax as a separate charge on company profits.

Role range: 1964-1967

Budget Policy

The 1965 Budget under James Callaghan sets out the Government's taxation, expenditure and borrowing plans.

Role range: 1964-1967

Budget

James Callaghan presents the 1965 Budget to the House of Commons as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Role range: 1964-1967

Devaluation

Says devaluation of the pound is unnecessary

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1967

Devaluation

Pompidous policy to devalue puts pressure on Callaghan to propose devaluation

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1967

Budget Policy

The 1966 Budget under James Callaghan sets out the Government's taxation, expenditure and borrowing plans.

Role range: 1964-1967

Budget

James Callaghan presents the 1966 Budget to the House of Commons as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Role range: 1964-1967

Resignation of James Callaghan

Resigns after the devaluing the pound

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1967

Home Secretary of Great Britain

Appointed Home Secretary

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1967-1970

Devaluation

Describes devaluation as an "economic & political catastrophe"

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1967

Devaluation

Announces the devaluation of sterling, "the unhappiest day of my life"

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1967

Sterling Devaluation

Callaghan announces devaluation of sterling from 2.80 to 2.40 United States dollars.

Role range: 1964-1967

Sterling Devaluation

Britain devalues sterling from 2.80 to 2.40 dollars, intensifying pressure on confidence in the wider Bretton Woods fixed-rate and dollar-gold system.

Role range: 1964-1967

Budget Policy

The 1967 Budget under James Callaghan sets out the Government's taxation, expenditure and borrowing plans.

Role range: 1964-1967

Budget

James Callaghan presents the 1967 Budget to the House of Commons as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Role range: 1964-1967

Budget

Sterling is strong, trade in surplus & the bank rate down to 6%. Callaghan announces a cautious budget

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1967

Economy of Great Britain

Sterling is strong, trade in surplus & the bank rate down to 6%

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1967

Commission

The findings of the Boundary Commission are published

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1967-1970

Reform of Electoral System

Publishes the proposals of the Representation of the People Act

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1967-1970

Commission

The Commission recommends redistribution which favours Conservatives by 15-20 seats. The Boundary Commission reports its findings, the first since 1954, to James Callaghan

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1967-1970

Reform of Government

The Commission recommends redistribution which favours Conservatives by 15-20 seats

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1967-1970

In Place of Strife

The Labour Cabinet, headed by the Prime Minister Harold Wilson, was divided over the issue, however, and the opposition, led by Home Secretary James Callaghan, prevails

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1967-1970

Legislation

The Representation of the People Act is defeated in the House of Lords

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1967-1970

Reform of Parliament

The Representation of the People Act is defeated in the House of Lords

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1967-1970

Terrorism

Sends troops into Northern Ireland

Role range: 1964-1970 – 1967-1970

Shadow Minister

Appointed Shadow Foreign Secretary

Role range: 1970-1974

Foreign Secretary of Great Britain

Appointed Foreign Minister

Role range: 1974-1974 – 1974-1974

Evacuation

Turkey invades Cyprus, the RAF flies 9,000 people to Britain

Role range: 1974-1979 – 1974-1976

Invasion of Cyprus

Turkey invades Cyprus, the RAF flies 9,000 people to Britain

Role range: 1974-1979 – 1974-1976

Renegotiation Campaign

Supports continued European Community membership after renegotiation.

Role range: 1974-1976