London Socialist Historians Group
Media Release
26th May
Contact Dr Keith Flett 07803 167266
Qualified good news for Theresa May: poll finds she isn’t the worst ever Prime Minister
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 has run 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.
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.
The result:
Margaret Thatcher 32.2%
Theresa May 25.12%
David Cameron 18.64%
Lord Liverpool 11.86%
Tony Blair 10.17%
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. On the 200th anniversary of Peterloo, Lord Liverpool who was the PM at the time, polled well but it is recent Tory leaders that have topped the poll. Theresa May might find some solace in currently not quite being seen aa the worst Prime Minister ever and its far too early to say how the history books will regard her Premiership.
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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