Hugh Todd Naylor Gaitskell Biography and Timeline

Member of Parliament

First elected Member of Parliament for Leeds South

Crisis

Britain suffers from an acute fuel shortage in the autumn

Role range: 1945-1951 – 1947-1950

Minister of Fuel & Power

Appointed Minister of Fuel & Power

Role range: 1945-1951 – 1947-1950

Minister of Economics

Appointed Minister of Economic Affairs

Role range: 1945-1951 – 1950-1955

Chancellor of the Exchequer

Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer

Role range: 1945-1951 – 1950-1951

Prescription Charges

Introduces prescription charges

Role range: 1945-1951 – 1950-1951

NHS Charges

Proposes charges for dentures and spectacles in the 1951 Budget.

Role range: 1945-1951 – 1950-1951

Party Treasurer

Appointed Party Treasurer of the Labour Party

Election

Elected Party Leader of the Labour Party

Role range: 1955-1963

Party Leader

Appointed Party Leader of the Labour Party

Role range: 1955-1963

Labour Leadership Election

Wins the Labour leadership contest against Bevan and Morrison.

Role range: 1955-1963

Nuclear Power

At Conference the Party follows Gaitskell & rejects Unilateral Nuclear Disarmament

Role range: 1955-1963

Constitution of Great Britain

Calls for the reform of Clause IV of after the loss of 3 elections in a row

Role range: 1955-1963

Election

Calls for the reform of Clause IV of after the loss of 3 elections in a row

Role range: 1955-1963

Reform of Labour Party Policy

Calls for the reform of Clause IV of after the loss of 3 elections in a row

Role range: 1955-1963

Constitution of Great Britain

Accepts Wilson's comprimise for Clause IV of the Labour Party for "common ownership"

Role range: 1955-1963

Reform of Labour Party Policy

Accepts Wilson's comprimise for Clause IV of the Labour Party for "common ownership"

Role range: 1955-1963

Constitution of Great Britain

Accepts Wilson's comprimise for Clause IV of the Labour Party for "common ownership". Urges Labour to adopt a mixed economy at the Blackpool Conference

Role range: 1955-1963

Election

The Labour Party loses its 3rd general election in a row. Promises not to increase taxes, seen as an electoral bribe. Labour win 43.8% of votes cast, 258 seats, the Conservatives win 365 seats. Defeated after Gaitskell promises increased spending without increasing taxes

Role range: 1955-1963

Election

Wins 166 votes to Harold Wilson's 81 to retain the leadership of the Labour Party

Role range: 1955-1963

Constitution of Great Britain

Forced to give up his proposed reforms for Clause IV of the Labour Party

Role range: 1955-1963

Nuclear Power

Defeated at Conference & forced to accept Unilateral Nuclear Disarmament

Polaris

Gaitskell criticizes Conservative nuclear policy while Labour debates the future of the British deterrent

Role range: 1955-1963 – 1955-1963

Death of Hugh Todd Naylor Gaitskell

Unexpected death of Gaitskell

Role range: 1955-1963