Winston Churchill, the UK’s most significant political figure

Without a doubt one of the best remembered and most significant political figures of the 20^th century, Winston Churchill is instantly recognisable and is often spoken about in history classes around the globe. He is best remembered as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom between 1940 and 1945 during which he led the UK to a victory in the war. He was again elected as Prime Minister from 1951 to 1955. He was also an army officer and writer and was a member of the Conservative Party for most of his career in leadership although he was also a member of the Liberal Party between 1904 and 1924.

Churchill was born in Oxfordshire and as an adult joined the British Army where he was involved in action during both the Anglo-Sudan War and the Second Boer War. He gained his post as Prime Minister in 1940, succeeding Neville Chamberlain. During his years in the role he was tasked with managing Britain’s involvement in the Allied War effort against Germany. During the Cold War he made public comments about the influence of the Soviet’s in Europe and made public statements calling for the British Empire to be protected, his political views are often stated to be imperialist.

Whilst he was in government Britain develop nuclear weapons, he eventually resigned from office due to his failing health and died in 1965.

Churchill is often praised as being one of the most important figures of the 20^th century and often inspires patriotism from citizens of the UK because he is perceived to have been a successful leader during war time as well as an impressive speaker and social reformist. His imperialist opinions, racist comments and some decisions made during war time efforts are however sometimes criticised.