Ernest Brown (British politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable Ernest Brown CH MC
Minister of Aircraft Production
In office 25 May 1945 – 5 July 1945
Prime Minister	Winston Churchill
Preceded by	Stafford Cripps
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
In office 11 November 1943 – 25 May 1945
Prime Minister	Winston Churchill
Preceded by	Duff Cooper
Succeeded by	James Arthur Salter
Minister of Health
In office 8 February 1941 – 11 November 1943
Prime Minister	Winston Churchill
Preceded by	Malcolm MacDonald
Succeeded by	Henry Willink
Chairman of the National Liberal Party
In office 1940–1945
Preceded by	John Simon
Succeeded by	James Henderson-Stewart
Secretary of State for Scotland
In office 14 May 1940 – 8 February 1941
Prime Minister	Winston Churchill
Preceded by	John Colville
Succeeded by	Tom Johnston
Minister of Labour
In office 7 June 1935 – 14 May 1940
Prime Minister	Stanley Baldwin Neville Chamberlain
Preceded by	Oliver Stanley
Succeeded by	Ernest Bevin
Secretary for Mines
In office 30 September 1932 – 18 June 1935
Prime Minister	Ramsay MacDonald
Preceded by	Isaac Foot
Succeeded by	Harry Crookshank
Member of Parliament for Leith
In office 23 March 1927 – 5 July 1945
Preceded by	William Wedgwood Benn
Succeeded by	James Hoy
Member of Parliament for Rugby
In office 6 December 1923 – 29 October 1924
Preceded by	Euan Wallace
Succeeded by	David Margesson
Personal details
Born	(1881-08-27)27 August 1881 Torquay, Devon, United Kingdom
Died	16 February 1962(1962-02-16) (aged 80)
Political party	National Liberal Liberal

Alfred Ernest Brown (27 August 1881 – 16 February 1962) was an important British politician. He was the leader of the Liberal Nationals from 1940 to 1945. He also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) and held many different government jobs, especially during the Second World War.

Ernest Brown's Early Life and Career

Ernest Brown was born in Torquay, Devon. His father was a fisherman and a well-known Baptist preacher. Ernest followed in his father's footsteps and became a preacher himself. This helped him become a great public speaker.

The local Liberals noticed his speaking skills. He soon became a popular speaker at their political meetings.

Serving in World War I

When the First World War started, Ernest Brown joined the army in 1914. He was part of the Sportsman's Battalion. In 1916, he became an officer in the Somerset Light Infantry. He was recognized for his bravery and was given the Military Cross. He also received the Italian Silver Star.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

After the war, Ernest Brown tried to become an MP three times but didn't win. Finally, in the 1923 general election, he was elected as a Liberal MP for Rugby. However, he lost his seat in the next election in 1924.

In 1927, he returned to Parliament. He won a special election in Leith. During this time, he became a strong supporter of Sir John Simon. Simon disagreed with the Liberal leader, David Lloyd George. In 1931, Ernest Brown joined Simon in leaving the Liberal Party. They then helped create the Liberal Nationals.

Ernest Brown's Time in Government

In the National Government led by Ramsay MacDonald, Ernest Brown got his first government job. In November 1931, he became the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health. This was a junior role.

Rising to Cabinet Minister

The next year, the official Liberal ministers left the government. Ernest Brown was then promoted to Secretary for Mines. This meant he was in charge of mining.

In 1935, Stanley Baldwin became Prime Minister. Ernest Brown was then invited to join the Cabinet as Minister of Labour. The Cabinet is a group of the most important ministers who advise the Prime Minister.

Some people thought another politician, Leslie Hore-Belisha, should have gotten the job. But unemployment was a huge problem for the government. Many felt that being Minister of Labour was a very tough job. Ernest Brown held this important role for five years. He worked under both Stanley Baldwin and the next Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain.

Key Achievements as Minister of Labour

One of his biggest successes was the Unemployment Insurance (Agriculture) Act, 1936. This law helped almost all workers in farming and forestry get social security. This meant they had some financial support if they lost their jobs.

He also helped create the National Joint Advisory Committee. This group helped manage wages and resolve worker disputes. It also helped direct workers to jobs where they were needed most. In 1937, the Trades Union Congress, a big group representing workers, thanked him for his efforts. In 1939, his department also started overseeing National Service, which meant organizing people for war efforts.

Leading the Party During Wartime

When Neville Chamberlain's government ended in 1940, Winston Churchill became Prime Minister. Churchill moved Ernest Brown to the job of Secretary of State for Scotland. This was a bit unusual because Brown was English, even though he represented a Scottish area in Parliament.

At the same time, Ernest Brown became the leader of the Liberal Nationals. This happened after Sir John Simon moved to the House of Lords, which is the upper house of the UK Parliament.

Challenges as Party Leader

Ernest Brown's time as leader saw the Liberal Nationals become less powerful. Many in the party wished the Liberal groups had never split up. Brown tried to talk with the leader of the Liberal Party, Sir Archibald Sinclair, about joining forces again. However, these talks failed because they couldn't agree on whether to keep supporting the National Government after the war.

When Churchill formed his "Caretaker" government in 1945, he didn't include Brown or other senior Liberal Nationals in his main Cabinet. This was despite Churchill saying it was a "National" government. Instead, Brown was made Minister of Aircraft Production. In the 1945 general election, Ernest Brown lost his seat in Parliament.

Life After Politics and His Legacy

After the war, Ernest Brown focused on his church work. He often traveled to other parts of the Commonwealth, which are countries that used to be part of the British Empire.

Ernest Brown was known for being a very fast speaker. Many people at the time said he could deliver a speech in the House of Commons faster than any other minister. His loud voice was also famous.

There are some funny stories about his voice. Once, Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin saw Brown in a phone booth at the House of Commons. Baldwin supposedly joked, "I didn't think he needed a phone to communicate with his constituents!" Another famous story says that Baldwin, living at 11 Downing Street, was startled by loud shouting. When told it was Ernest Brown talking to Scotland, Baldwin asked, "Why doesn't he use the telephone?" These stories show how well-known his strong voice was.