Nick Thomas-Symonds.
NICK THOMAS-SYMONDS
HAROLD WILSON: THE WINNER (2022)
Harold Wilson (born 1916) had two spells as Prime Minister of the UK, from 1964 to 1970, and again from 1974 to 1976. He became leader of the Labour Party in 1963, remaining so until 1976. He was born in Huddersfield and rad Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Jesus College, Oxford. He lectured in history at New College, Oxford, and held a research fellowship at University College, Oxford. Elected as an MP in 1945, he served in Clement Attlee’s post-war Labour government, rising to membership of the Cabinet as Pesident of the Board of Trade. He was elected to lead the Labour Party in 1963, after the sudden death of his predeccor Hugh Gaitskell.
Frances Beckett, reviewing this biography in the Spectator, wrote: ‘This comprehensive, carefully researched and very readable biography aims to establish Wilson's place in history - not as the neurotic schemer often reported during his sad last years, which were blighted by dementia, nor even as the supreme political fixer portrayed by Pimlott, but as a decent, honourable man, as well as a very clever one, who was in politics to do something, not just to be someone. He was, Thomas-Symonds concludes, one of our greatest prime ministers, who, given the political circumstances, had a remarkable record of solid achievement.’
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Nick Thomas-Symonds (born 1980) was appointed in July 2024 as Paymaster General, Minister for the Cabinet Office, and Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations. This followed the landslide general election of 2024, which brought Labour to power. He is the son of a steelworker and industrial chemsit and was brought up in Blaenavon, Wales. He read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University, gaining a first class degree. He was a tutor, then lecturer, at the university, and also qualified as a barrister. He was elected as the Labour MP for his home seat of Torfaen at the 2015 general election.
