1-152-831 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Clement Atlee (1883-1967), British Labour statesman. Labour MP for Limehouse from 1922, Attlee became leader of the Labour Party in 1935 and served as Deputy Prime Minister in the wartime cabinet under Winston Churchill (1842-1945). After the war, Labour defeated the Conservatives in the 1945 General Election and Attlee became Prime Minister. His 1945-1951 government passed a range of ground-breaking legislative measures, including the nationalisation of a wide range of industries, the creation of the welfare state and the establishment of the National Health Service.