George Strauss facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Strauss
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|---|---|
| Minister of Supply | |
| In office 7 October 1947 – 26 October 1951 |
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| Prime Minister | Clement Attlee |
| Preceded by | John Wilmot |
| Succeeded by | Duncan Sandys |
| Member of Parliament for Vauxhall |
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| In office 23 February 1950 – 7 April 1979 |
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| Preceded by | New constituency |
| Succeeded by | Stuart Holland |
| Member of Parliament for Lambeth North |
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| In office 23 October 1934 – 3 February 1950 |
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| Preceded by | Frank Briant |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| In office 30 May 1929 – 27 October 1931 |
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| Preceded by | Frank Briant |
| Succeeded by | Frank Briant |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 July 1901 |
| Died | 5 June 1993 (aged 91) |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouses |
Patricia O'Flynn
(m. 1932; died 1987) |
| Parents | Arthur Strauss Minna Cohen |
George Russell Strauss (born July 18, 1901, died June 5, 1993) was an important British politician. He was a member of the Labour Party. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for a very long time – 46 years! An MP is someone elected to represent people in the UK Parliament. Towards the end of his career, he became the 'Father of the House of Commons,' which means he was the longest-serving MP at that time.
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Early Life of George Strauss
George Strauss was born in 1901. His father, Arthur Strauss, was also an MP. His father first belonged to the Conservative Party, then the Liberal Unionists, and later joined the Labour Party.
George went to Rugby School. While there, he and other Jewish students faced unkind treatment. This experience made him a strong supporter of racial equality. After school, he worked as a metal merchant. He also became an important member of the London County Council, a local government body. His wife, Patricia, also served on this council.
George Strauss's Political Career
George Strauss first tried to become an MP in 1924 for Lambeth North. He lost by only 29 votes. However, he won the seat in the 1929 election.
Losing and Regaining His Seat
In the 1931 election, the Labour Party lost many seats, and George Strauss lost his too. But he won it back in a special election, called a by-election, in 1934.
In 1939, he was removed from the Labour Party for seven months. This happened because he supported a group called the 'Popular Front'. He had also worked for Stafford Cripps, another politician, as his Parliamentary Private Secretary. This role is like a special assistant to a minister.
Government Roles and Later Years
From 1945 to 1947, George Strauss was a parliamentary secretary at the Ministry of Transport. This meant he helped the main minister with their duties. Then, from 1947 to 1951, he became the Minister of Supply. This was a very important job where he was in charge of making sure the country had enough supplies.
After some changes to the voting areas, he became the MP for Vauxhall in 1950. He continued to represent Vauxhall until 1979. On July 9, 1979, he was given a special honor. He became a life peer, which meant he could sit in the House of Lords as Baron Strauss.
