Thursday, March 31, 2005
RIP Jim Callaghan (1912-2005)
Many people more eloquent than ourselves have already paid tribute to Grangetown's Member of Parliament from 1945 - 1987.
For the benefit of those of us who too young to directly remember the 60's & 70's the 10 Downing Street website offers this brief biography:
The son of a naval chief petty officer, James Callaghan left school at 14. He worked as a tax officer and was later employed by the Inland Revenue Staff Federation.After serving in World War Two he was elected as a Labour MP for Cardiff South in the post-war Labour landslide, and later represented Cardiff South East. He rose steadily through the party in Opposition, and stood for the leadership after Gaitskell's death in 1963, losing with respectable minority support.
As Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1964, Callaghan's decision not to devalue the pound proved disastrous. After devaluation the discredited Callaghan resigned as Chancellor, to become Home Secretary, where he salvaged his reputation.During this time he sent troops to Northern Ireland in 1969 to cope with worsening violence. As a staunch defender of trade unions, he opposed efforts to reform them, earning the title 'keeper of the cloth cap'.
In Opposition Callaghan became Shadow Foreign Secretary, and in government after 1974 it was his job to renegotiate the terms of Britains EC membership. When Harold Wilson resigned unexpectedly, Callaghan was not the favourite to win the leadership, being the oldest candidate at 64. However, he was the least divisive candidate, and won the vote.
As Prime Minister Callaghan presided over a sterling crisis, which led to negotiations with the IMF for a rescue package, but he did keep his Cabinet team together during the controversy over the conditions set. Spending cuts and pay restraint were demanded, but the left wing Labour conference nevertheless voted for more spending.
Things were made more difficult still when Labour's small majority disappeared in 1977, making Labour dependent on the support of the Liberals. However, Callaghan persevered in office even when this pact broke down.During the 'Winter of Discontent' in 1978, industrial action over pay policy severely damaged the governments authority. The government lost a confidence motion on 28 March 1979 by just one vote a classic piece of high-tension political theatre.
Callaghan was obliged to hold a general election, which was won by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party. As Labour's left wing gained strength in the early 1980s, Callaghan's influence waned, and he resigned as leader after 18 months.
He retired from the House of Commons in 1987 and was active in the House of Lords as a life peer.
Lord Callaghan passed away at home in East Sussex on 26 March 2005, one day short of his 93rd birthday. He was the longest living former British PM in history.
A more detailed biography is here
His successor as our Member of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Alun Michael JP, MP said:
"Jim Callaghan personified the link between national leadership and the people. Coming from a poor family, he never forgot his background. He was a trade unionist before he was an MP. And above all his personal roots and loyalty to the people who first elected him in 1945 never wavered – even long after he stood down after 42 years as the MP for Cardiff South & Penarth.
At the heart of our constitution is the relationship between the MP and the constituency – talk of Ministers being "out of touch" ignores the fact that each Minister is also an MP, returning each weekend to family, friends and the people who send us to Parliament. As the only person ever to hold the four Great Offices of State, who better to set the tone for Parliamentary democracy than Jim ?Respected by world leaders for his shrewd insight and sound judgement – the Falklands War could never have happened on his watch - Jim still asked what people were saying in Splott and Llanrumney and Penarth. He held monthly surgeries, took part in the monthly meetings of the Constituency Labour Party and listened to local views passed through a passionately loyal group of supporters - not least his agent Jack (now Lord Brooks of Tremorfa) and his constituency chairman, Gordon Houlston.
This went far beyond public opinion. As Chancellor and Prime Minister, he sought to help the economy of South Wales – the Mint in Llantrisant, Companies House, Fords in Bridgend and many other developments reflected his belief in the need for renewal of our economy. Had the 1979 election not allowed Mrs Thatcher to put a stop to it all, British Rail and Ministry of Defence jobs would have followed to Cardiff.Even in retirement, he continued to be a tower of strength for Cardiff’s future – he knew better than most that the devastating loss of jobs which followed the closure of East Moors required more than incremental change. When the battle raged, he backed the new vision for our capital city which only the Barrage could provide.He also led the search for the right building for the new Welsh Assembly Chamber – and no-one should underestimate Jim’s contribution to the building now under construction in Cardiff Bay – at last.
One commentator said that given a decent majority Jim "could have been" a great Prime Minister. No, Jim was a great prime minister. He gave strong leadership despite having no majority and in the face of overwhelming odds. As a trade unionist, Jim could never have been against the trade unions – but through the tribulations of his final months in office he reminded us that the Labour Movement exists not just to represent its members but also to create a better society and opportunity for all. On that there could be no compromise.
Jim’s death, as the longest-living ex-premier, follows close on the death of Audrey who campaigned vigorously for children and on health issues. We salute and remember two wonderful people who gave us so much over the past 60 years."
The Prime Minister & Leader of the Labour Party pays tribute to his predecessor here.
"He was a patriot, a loyal servant of party and country and a devoted husband and father. His love for Audrey was very special."
Cardiff West AM & Welsh First Minister, the Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM has also paid tribute.
Other obituaries penned by contemporaries from the Labour governments of the 1960's & 70's include Shirley Williams in the Independent on Sunday, Gerald Kaufman in the Sunday Telegraph and the late Roy Jenkins who penned his obituary for the Sunday Times shortly before his own death.
Representing the younger generation, Tom Watson MP recalls his first meeting with Jim in 1995.
A Book of Condolence has today been opened at City Hall in Cardiff.
Anyone living locally with memories of Jim Callaghan in his days as our MP, or subsequently, is very welcome to post a comment, or email us, and we will pass them onto his children, Margaret, Michael and Julia in due course.
Jim Callaghan was truly representative of the political generation, shaped by the war, whose undogmatic socialist credo, combined with his bluff personality and superb political skills to take him to the Premiership. His tragedy was that his decision to see through his government's programme (including the delivery of devolution for Scotland & Wales), rather than going to the country in 1978, followed by the 'winter of discontent', marked the final phase of the post war social democratic consensus he personified.
A big man in every sense, Jim Callaghan will be warmly remembered and sorely missed.
For the benefit of those of us who too young to directly remember the 60's & 70's the 10 Downing Street website offers this brief biography:
The son of a naval chief petty officer, James Callaghan left school at 14. He worked as a tax officer and was later employed by the Inland Revenue Staff Federation.After serving in World War Two he was elected as a Labour MP for Cardiff South in the post-war Labour landslide, and later represented Cardiff South East. He rose steadily through the party in Opposition, and stood for the leadership after Gaitskell's death in 1963, losing with respectable minority support.
As Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1964, Callaghan's decision not to devalue the pound proved disastrous. After devaluation the discredited Callaghan resigned as Chancellor, to become Home Secretary, where he salvaged his reputation.During this time he sent troops to Northern Ireland in 1969 to cope with worsening violence. As a staunch defender of trade unions, he opposed efforts to reform them, earning the title 'keeper of the cloth cap'.
In Opposition Callaghan became Shadow Foreign Secretary, and in government after 1974 it was his job to renegotiate the terms of Britains EC membership. When Harold Wilson resigned unexpectedly, Callaghan was not the favourite to win the leadership, being the oldest candidate at 64. However, he was the least divisive candidate, and won the vote.
As Prime Minister Callaghan presided over a sterling crisis, which led to negotiations with the IMF for a rescue package, but he did keep his Cabinet team together during the controversy over the conditions set. Spending cuts and pay restraint were demanded, but the left wing Labour conference nevertheless voted for more spending.
Things were made more difficult still when Labour's small majority disappeared in 1977, making Labour dependent on the support of the Liberals. However, Callaghan persevered in office even when this pact broke down.During the 'Winter of Discontent' in 1978, industrial action over pay policy severely damaged the governments authority. The government lost a confidence motion on 28 March 1979 by just one vote a classic piece of high-tension political theatre.
Callaghan was obliged to hold a general election, which was won by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party. As Labour's left wing gained strength in the early 1980s, Callaghan's influence waned, and he resigned as leader after 18 months.
He retired from the House of Commons in 1987 and was active in the House of Lords as a life peer.
Lord Callaghan passed away at home in East Sussex on 26 March 2005, one day short of his 93rd birthday. He was the longest living former British PM in history.
A more detailed biography is here
His successor as our Member of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Alun Michael JP, MP said:
"Jim Callaghan personified the link between national leadership and the people. Coming from a poor family, he never forgot his background. He was a trade unionist before he was an MP. And above all his personal roots and loyalty to the people who first elected him in 1945 never wavered – even long after he stood down after 42 years as the MP for Cardiff South & Penarth.
At the heart of our constitution is the relationship between the MP and the constituency – talk of Ministers being "out of touch" ignores the fact that each Minister is also an MP, returning each weekend to family, friends and the people who send us to Parliament. As the only person ever to hold the four Great Offices of State, who better to set the tone for Parliamentary democracy than Jim ?Respected by world leaders for his shrewd insight and sound judgement – the Falklands War could never have happened on his watch - Jim still asked what people were saying in Splott and Llanrumney and Penarth. He held monthly surgeries, took part in the monthly meetings of the Constituency Labour Party and listened to local views passed through a passionately loyal group of supporters - not least his agent Jack (now Lord Brooks of Tremorfa) and his constituency chairman, Gordon Houlston.
This went far beyond public opinion. As Chancellor and Prime Minister, he sought to help the economy of South Wales – the Mint in Llantrisant, Companies House, Fords in Bridgend and many other developments reflected his belief in the need for renewal of our economy. Had the 1979 election not allowed Mrs Thatcher to put a stop to it all, British Rail and Ministry of Defence jobs would have followed to Cardiff.Even in retirement, he continued to be a tower of strength for Cardiff’s future – he knew better than most that the devastating loss of jobs which followed the closure of East Moors required more than incremental change. When the battle raged, he backed the new vision for our capital city which only the Barrage could provide.He also led the search for the right building for the new Welsh Assembly Chamber – and no-one should underestimate Jim’s contribution to the building now under construction in Cardiff Bay – at last.
One commentator said that given a decent majority Jim "could have been" a great Prime Minister. No, Jim was a great prime minister. He gave strong leadership despite having no majority and in the face of overwhelming odds. As a trade unionist, Jim could never have been against the trade unions – but through the tribulations of his final months in office he reminded us that the Labour Movement exists not just to represent its members but also to create a better society and opportunity for all. On that there could be no compromise.
Jim’s death, as the longest-living ex-premier, follows close on the death of Audrey who campaigned vigorously for children and on health issues. We salute and remember two wonderful people who gave us so much over the past 60 years."
The Prime Minister & Leader of the Labour Party pays tribute to his predecessor here.
"He was a patriot, a loyal servant of party and country and a devoted husband and father. His love for Audrey was very special."
Cardiff West AM & Welsh First Minister, the Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM has also paid tribute.
Other obituaries penned by contemporaries from the Labour governments of the 1960's & 70's include Shirley Williams in the Independent on Sunday, Gerald Kaufman in the Sunday Telegraph and the late Roy Jenkins who penned his obituary for the Sunday Times shortly before his own death.
Representing the younger generation, Tom Watson MP recalls his first meeting with Jim in 1995.
A Book of Condolence has today been opened at City Hall in Cardiff.
Anyone living locally with memories of Jim Callaghan in his days as our MP, or subsequently, is very welcome to post a comment, or email us, and we will pass them onto his children, Margaret, Michael and Julia in due course.
Jim Callaghan was truly representative of the political generation, shaped by the war, whose undogmatic socialist credo, combined with his bluff personality and superb political skills to take him to the Premiership. His tragedy was that his decision to see through his government's programme (including the delivery of devolution for Scotland & Wales), rather than going to the country in 1978, followed by the 'winter of discontent', marked the final phase of the post war social democratic consensus he personified.
A big man in every sense, Jim Callaghan will be warmly remembered and sorely missed.
Friday, March 18, 2005
Lib Dem Cardiff leisure centre cuts slammed
Lorraine Barrett AM
