Former PM Callaghan Dies Aged 92
Jim Callaghan, Labour Prime Minister 1976-79
Tony Blair tonight led tributes to former Labour Prime Minister Jim Callaghan who died today on the eve of his 93rd birthday.
Lord Callaghan’s death came just 11 days after his wife of 67 years, Audrey, passed away.
He was the longest-living former Prime Minister and the only politician to have held all four major offices of state: Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary.
A spokesperson for the family said he died peacefully at his East Sussex home.
Mr Blair said the former Labour leader was “one of the giants of the Labour movement”.
“His long and active life almost spans the history of the party he served so superbly,” he said.
“He worked tirelessly to put into action the values of social justice, solidarity and opportunity for all which brought him into politics and the Labour Party.
“He was one of the generation who fought in the war and came back determined to build a better, fairer and different Britain in peace.”
The Prime Minister added: “In later times I sought his counsel on many occasions and found his judgement and common sense invariably sound.
“He was a patriot, a loyal servant of party and country and a devoted husband and father. His love for Audrey was very special. Jim Callaghan will be remembered with affection and respect.”
Baroness Thatcher, who defeated Lord Callaghan in the 1979 general election, added: “Jim Callaghan was a formidable opponent, one who could best me across the dispatch box. In other circumstances he would have been a successful Prime Minster.
“He was a superb party manager. Despite our disagreements, I always respected him because I knew he was moved by deep patriotism.”
Jim Callaghan entered Downing Street in 1976 when Harold Wilson stood down. But his short tenure at Number 10 was beset with problems with the economy and trade unions.
He was the last prominent Labour politician to emerge from the union movement. But it was the trade unions that dealt him the fatal blow which saw Labour ousted from power for 18 years.
He became Chancellor in 1964, but struggled to prevent devaluation. He resigned when it came, but always insisted it was not a personal failure.
By the time he entered Downing Street the Government was forced to borrow heavily to support the ailing economy. Callaghan tried to curb inflation by imposing public sector pay restraints.
The resulting strikes – the known as the Winter of Discontent – saw refuse pilling up on the streets, staff crisis in hospitals and in some case the dead unburied.
He was haunted by the infamous headline “Crisis, what crisis?” attributed to him when he returned to a freezing strike-ridden country from a sun-drenched summit in Guadeloupe.
However, what he actually said was: “I don’t think that other people in the world would share the view that there is mounting chaos.”
Tributes tonight poured in from across the political spectrum and from other quarters.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “The Queen has been informed of Lord Callaghan’s death and she is sending a private message of sympathy to the family.”
The Prince of Wales said he was saddened to hear of Lord Callaghan’s death.
“Lord Callaghan was a remarkable man who showed great kindness to me when he was Prime Minister,” he said.
Tory leader Michael Howard said: “Lord Callaghan was the only politician to hold all the high offices of state. His long and distinguished career was marked by many highs and lows. He will be remembered with affection and respect.”
Lord Hattersley, who served under Mr Callaghan, told Sky News: “I can remember his character. Although he often appeared to be forbidding, a rather remote man, he was an immensely kind and generous man who was immensely helpful to the very young members of the cabinet."
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy added his tribute.
“I am very sad indeed to learn of Lord Callaghan’s passing,” he said. “He was always full of warmth and wisdom.”
i dont know much about him but i just thought i'd pay my respects
R.I.P
Jim Callaghan, Labour Prime Minister 1976-79
Tony Blair tonight led tributes to former Labour Prime Minister Jim Callaghan who died today on the eve of his 93rd birthday.
Lord Callaghan’s death came just 11 days after his wife of 67 years, Audrey, passed away.
He was the longest-living former Prime Minister and the only politician to have held all four major offices of state: Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary.
A spokesperson for the family said he died peacefully at his East Sussex home.
Mr Blair said the former Labour leader was “one of the giants of the Labour movement”.
“His long and active life almost spans the history of the party he served so superbly,” he said.
“He worked tirelessly to put into action the values of social justice, solidarity and opportunity for all which brought him into politics and the Labour Party.
“He was one of the generation who fought in the war and came back determined to build a better, fairer and different Britain in peace.”
The Prime Minister added: “In later times I sought his counsel on many occasions and found his judgement and common sense invariably sound.
“He was a patriot, a loyal servant of party and country and a devoted husband and father. His love for Audrey was very special. Jim Callaghan will be remembered with affection and respect.”
Baroness Thatcher, who defeated Lord Callaghan in the 1979 general election, added: “Jim Callaghan was a formidable opponent, one who could best me across the dispatch box. In other circumstances he would have been a successful Prime Minster.
“He was a superb party manager. Despite our disagreements, I always respected him because I knew he was moved by deep patriotism.”
Jim Callaghan entered Downing Street in 1976 when Harold Wilson stood down. But his short tenure at Number 10 was beset with problems with the economy and trade unions.
He was the last prominent Labour politician to emerge from the union movement. But it was the trade unions that dealt him the fatal blow which saw Labour ousted from power for 18 years.
He became Chancellor in 1964, but struggled to prevent devaluation. He resigned when it came, but always insisted it was not a personal failure.
By the time he entered Downing Street the Government was forced to borrow heavily to support the ailing economy. Callaghan tried to curb inflation by imposing public sector pay restraints.
The resulting strikes – the known as the Winter of Discontent – saw refuse pilling up on the streets, staff crisis in hospitals and in some case the dead unburied.
He was haunted by the infamous headline “Crisis, what crisis?” attributed to him when he returned to a freezing strike-ridden country from a sun-drenched summit in Guadeloupe.
However, what he actually said was: “I don’t think that other people in the world would share the view that there is mounting chaos.”
Tributes tonight poured in from across the political spectrum and from other quarters.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “The Queen has been informed of Lord Callaghan’s death and she is sending a private message of sympathy to the family.”
The Prince of Wales said he was saddened to hear of Lord Callaghan’s death.
“Lord Callaghan was a remarkable man who showed great kindness to me when he was Prime Minister,” he said.
Tory leader Michael Howard said: “Lord Callaghan was the only politician to hold all the high offices of state. His long and distinguished career was marked by many highs and lows. He will be remembered with affection and respect.”
Lord Hattersley, who served under Mr Callaghan, told Sky News: “I can remember his character. Although he often appeared to be forbidding, a rather remote man, he was an immensely kind and generous man who was immensely helpful to the very young members of the cabinet."
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy added his tribute.
“I am very sad indeed to learn of Lord Callaghan’s passing,” he said. “He was always full of warmth and wisdom.”
i dont know much about him but i just thought i'd pay my respects
R.I.P
