London Socialist Historians Group
Media Release
24th May
Contact Dr Keith Flett 07803 167266
Theresa May: the final poll. Was she the worst Prime Minister ever?
The London Socialist Historians Group, which organises the socialist history seminar at the Institute of Historical Research in central London, has said that following Theresa May’s decision to resign the Premiership on 7th June it is running a final version of its poll on the worst Prime Minister ever
On two previous occasions when the poll was run David Cameron comfortably won the vote. However the last poll first posted on 11th March 2019 saw Theresa May consistently increase her lead until she reached 50%.
As recently as November 2018 Mr Cameron got 50% of the poll with Margaret Thatcher 2nd on 29%, Theresa May 3rd on 7% and Lord Liverpool, PM at the time of Peterloo in 1819 4th with 5%
The poll has provoked discussion on social media, particularly in respect of why other PMs were not listed. Every PM since the late eighteenth century could certainly have been listed as by definition being in a position of political power will mean doing things some people don’t like, as well things some do.
Attlee for example would be applauded by most on the left, while some might recall him as the man who secretly gave the nod to UK nuclear weapons. The upsides and downsides of Churchill are too well known to rehearse.
The poll therefore aimed at a balance: the worst Prime Minister in this case would be the one where the negative impact significantly outweighed the positive impact of their tenure at No.10.
London Socialist Historians Convenor Dr Keith Flett said, obviously as historians we tend to prefer long departed Prime Ministers where it is easier to form a judgement on their worth or otherwise. However there may be a case for arguing that there is a longer term trend for the quality of British Prime Ministers to decline. Indeed some might say that Theresa May has been determined to prove that point. As historians obviously we think it’s far too early to say
The Worst PM?
Lord Liverpool, a Tory, (1812-27) who presided over the Peterloo Massacre in 1819,introduced the repressive Six Acts that cracked down on democratic political activity and introduced the 1825 anti-union Combination Acts is a serious contender for the title.
Earl Grey who was a Liberal (1830-34) is also up there. He was PM when the Tolpuddle Martyrs stood trial and he introduced the Poor Law and the Workhouse. On the plus side he abolished slavery (as it was then).
Ramsay MacDonald (1924;1929-1935). First Labour Prime Minister; Later First National Government Prime Minister…
Margaret Thatcher, Tory, (1979-1990) Falklands War, miner’s strike, poll tax. An impressive record
Tony Blair, Labour (1997-2007) not perhaps an obvious contender compared to others but features primarily because of the Iraq War.
David Cameron (2010-2016) Lost Referendum on Europe he was supposed to win. Then resigned.
Theresa May (2016-2019) Called an Election to increase her majority and ended up with a minority Government (at best). Then embarked on a Brexit omnishambles
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