Rab Butler

The Best Prime Minister We Never Had?

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, Leadership, History
Cover of the book Rab Butler by Michael Jago, Biteback Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael Jago ISBN: 9781785900051
Publisher: Biteback Publishing Publication: October 20, 2015
Imprint: Biteback Publishing Language: English
Author: Michael Jago
ISBN: 9781785900051
Publisher: Biteback Publishing
Publication: October 20, 2015
Imprint: Biteback Publishing
Language: English

Despite his tenure of three of the four Great Offices of State, his popularity with the electorate and the truly revolutionary 1944 Education Act that bears his name, Richard Austen ‘Rab’ Butler narrowly missed out on the premiership on three separate occasions during his political career, earning him the sobriquet that has attached to his name ever since - The Best Prime Minister That Britain Never Had. Banished from the inner council of the War Cabinet for his support of appeasement, Butler used his time as Education Minister wisely to emerge as the progressive face of the post-war Tory Party, going on to spend four years at the Treasury before the gradual but relentless eclipse of his career after Anthony Eden’s accession. Was Butler an over-ambitious, condescending intellectual who had antagonised enough colleagues in the course of his career to ensure he would ultimately be thwarted? Or did he simply not want the leadership enough? Could this liberal Tory, in tune with the electorate, have led the Conservatives to victory in the 1964 election? In this robust and insightful biography of the great nearly-man of British politics, bestselling author Michael Jago looks to answer whether Rab Butler really was ‘The Best Prime Minister We Never Had’.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Despite his tenure of three of the four Great Offices of State, his popularity with the electorate and the truly revolutionary 1944 Education Act that bears his name, Richard Austen ‘Rab’ Butler narrowly missed out on the premiership on three separate occasions during his political career, earning him the sobriquet that has attached to his name ever since - The Best Prime Minister That Britain Never Had. Banished from the inner council of the War Cabinet for his support of appeasement, Butler used his time as Education Minister wisely to emerge as the progressive face of the post-war Tory Party, going on to spend four years at the Treasury before the gradual but relentless eclipse of his career after Anthony Eden’s accession. Was Butler an over-ambitious, condescending intellectual who had antagonised enough colleagues in the course of his career to ensure he would ultimately be thwarted? Or did he simply not want the leadership enough? Could this liberal Tory, in tune with the electorate, have led the Conservatives to victory in the 1964 election? In this robust and insightful biography of the great nearly-man of British politics, bestselling author Michael Jago looks to answer whether Rab Butler really was ‘The Best Prime Minister We Never Had’.

More books from Biteback Publishing

Cover of the book How to Use Politicians to Get What You Want by Michael Jago
Cover of the book How to Be a Civil Servant by Michael Jago
Cover of the book Prime Minister Boris by Michael Jago
Cover of the book Call Me Dave by Michael Jago
Cover of the book Not Guilty by Michael Jago
Cover of the book A Woman's Place by Michael Jago
Cover of the book British Liberal Leaders by Michael Jago
Cover of the book Dmitry Rybolovlev by Michael Jago
Cover of the book Out of Sight, Out of Mind by Michael Jago
Cover of the book It's The Economy, Stupid by Michael Jago
Cover of the book Trust by Michael Jago
Cover of the book The Life and Loves of Laurie Lee by Michael Jago
Cover of the book Massively Violent & Decidedly Average by Michael Jago
Cover of the book Alastair Campbell Diaries: Volume 7 by Michael Jago
Cover of the book Vince by Michael Jago
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy