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Thread: Best British PM

  1. #1
    TexMec Senior Member Louis VI the Fat's Avatar
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    Default Best British PM

    In 2004, the University of Leeds and Ipsos Mori conducted an online survey of 258 academics who specialised in 20th century British history and/or politics. There were 139 replies to the survey, a return rate of 54% - by far the most extensive survey done so far. The respondents were asked to rate all the 20th century British Prime Ministers in terms of their success and asking them to assess the key characteristics of successful PMs.


    The three Liberal Prime Ministers were judged on average to have been the most successful, scoring a mean of 6.2. The five Labour PMs averaged 5.8 and the twelve Conservative PMs 4.8.
    Trust the scholars to know: Britain is best left governed by Liberals. If need be, by Labour. By no means should Britain ever be entrusted to the care of Conservatives ever again.


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  2. #2
    Tuba Son Member Subotan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best British PM

    Swap Tony Blair and Harold Wilson and bump DLG up to third around that's a fine list

  3. #3
    Mr Self Important Senior Member Beskar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best British PM

    Did number 16 have any laws named after himself?
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  4. #4
    Senior Member Senior Member gaelic cowboy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best British PM

    Bonar Law has to be one of the worst PM's very divisive man sure he even threatened army mutiny to the kings face.
    They slew him with poison afaid to meet him with the steel
    a gallant son of eireann was Owen Roe o'Neill.

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  5. #5
    Senior Member Senior Member Fisherking's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best British PM

    Wait!
    Attlee held a government together for 6 years post war and was out by the Korean War and is judged the best?

    What was to do? Go home and make babies?

    No, please explain.


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  6. #6
    BrownWings: AirViceMarshall Senior Member Furunculus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best British PM

    in no particular order:

    Salisbury & Disraeli for Splendid Isolation
    Gladstone for his permanent (healthy) conflict with Disraeli and repealing the Corn Laws
    Churchill for WW2
    Thatcher for making Britain function again
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  7. #7
    Senior Member Senior Member gaelic cowboy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best British PM

    Quote Originally Posted by Fisherking View Post
    Wait!
    Attlee held a government together for 6 years post war and was out by the Korean War and is judged the best?

    What was to do? Go home and make babies?

    No, please explain.
    Decolonisation
    The NHS
    Managed to get people working again
    loads more but cant think off the top of me head now
    They slew him with poison afaid to meet him with the steel
    a gallant son of eireann was Owen Roe o'Neill.

    Internet is a bad place for info Gaelic Cowboy

  8. #8
    Needs more flowers Moderator drone's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best British PM

    Lord Palme...

    oh wait, 20th century PMs, nevermind.
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  9. #9
    has a Senior Member HoreTore's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best British PM

    Quote Originally Posted by Fisherking View Post
    Wait!
    Attlee held a government together for 6 years post war and was out by the Korean War and is judged the best?

    What was to do? Go home and make babies?

    No, please explain.
    No, a million or more now unemployed young males returning home to a bombed out country... With guns... Nah, no challenge at all.

    Also, as has been mentioned by GC, he was responsible for overseeing the two largest changes to the British state in modern times, the NHS and the decolonization.
    Still maintain that crying on the pitch should warrant a 3 match ban

  10. #10
    Darkside Medic Senior Member rory_20_uk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best British PM

    What was their criteria for "best"?

    If you have asked a set of Neo Nazis to assess who was the best German leader I imagine Hitler would be high if not top.

    An enemy that wishes to die for their country is the best sort to face - you both have the same aim in mind.
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  11. #11
    Enlightened Despot Member Vladimir's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best British PM

    How do they define "best"? Does it mean how successful they were in passing their policy objectives? And speaking of objectivity: What do you think a bunch of academics would say?

    Oops. Sorry Rory.
    Last edited by Vladimir; 01-21-2011 at 16:44.


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  12. #12
    Old Town Road Senior Member Strike For The South's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best British PM

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