Reginald Maudling

The Rt. Hon. Reginald Maudling (March 7,1917 - February 14, 1979) was a British politician known for his intellectual brilliance, political pragmatism, and easygoing nature but slightly dogged by a reputation for laziness. After helping rebuild the Conservative Party after its 1945 election defeat, he became Member of Parliament for Barnet and served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the early 1960s. Maudling was considered for promotion to Prime Minister in 1963, and may also have made it in 1970 but for his 1965 defeat for the party leadership by Edward Heath. Serving in Heath's government as Home Secretary, Maudling struggled to cope with the troubles of Northern Ireland and was punched in Parliament by Irish nationalist MP Bernadette Devlin, which led to her 6 month expulsion from that august body. His later political career was overshadowed by financial scandals including his dealings with corrupt architect John Poulson, and he was subjected to a great deal of lampooning, especially by Monty Python. His hedonistic personal lifestyle led to an early death at the age of 61 as a result of alcoholism.

Related Topics:
Rt. Hon. - March 7 - 1917 - February 14 - 1979 - British - Politician - Conservative Party - 1945 election defeat - Member of Parliament - Barnet - Chancellor of the Exchequer - Prime Minister - 1963 - 1970 - 1965 - Edward Heath - Home Secretary - Northern Ireland - Irish nationalist - Bernadette Devlin - Scandals - John Poulson - Monty Python - Alcoholism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~