Peter Thorneycroft Facts for Kids

George Edward Peter Thorneycroft, Baron Thorneycroft (born July 26, 1909 – died June 4, 1994) was a well-known British Conservative Party politician. He held several important jobs in the government. One of his most significant roles was serving as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which is like the country's main finance minister, from 1957 to 1958.

Early Life and Education
Beginning a Political Career
- Post-War Parliament
- Leading the Board of Trade
Chancellor of the Exchequer
- Resignation from Government
Later Political Roles
- Leaving Parliament
Life After Parliament
Family Connections

Early Life and Education

Peter Thorneycroft was born in Dunston, England. His father was Major George Edward Mervyn Thorneycroft. Peter went to two famous schools: Eton and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.

After his education, he joined the Royal Artillery as an officer in 1929. However, he left the army in 1931. In 1933, he became a barrister, which is a type of lawyer who argues cases in court.

Beginning a Political Career

Peter Thorneycroft started his journey in Parliament in 1938. He was elected to represent the area of Stafford. When World War II began, he rejoined the Royal Artillery and served in the military.

During the war, he was part of a group called the Tory Reform Committee. This group pushed for their party to support the Beveridge Report. This report suggested ways to create a better welfare system for everyone in Britain.

Post-War Parliament

After the war, in 1945, Thorneycroft briefly worked for the government as a Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of War Transport. He lost his seat in the 1945 general election but quickly returned to Parliament. A few months later, he won a special election (called a by-election) for the Monmouth area.

In the late 1940s, Thorneycroft worked hard to help the Conservative Party recover. They had lost badly in the 1945 election. He became known as a good debater in Parliament.

Leading the Board of Trade

When the Conservatives won the election in 1951, Peter Thorneycroft was given an important job. He became the President of the Board of Trade. This role involved managing trade and business for the country.

He helped convince the government to change its mind about trade rules. In 1954, they decided to support free trade instead of protectionism. Protectionism is when a country tries to protect its own industries by putting taxes on imported goods.

Chancellor of the Exchequer

In 1957, Peter Thorneycroft became the Chancellor of the Exchequer. This is one of the most powerful jobs in the government, in charge of the country's money and economy. He got this job because he supported Harold Macmillan to become the new Prime Minister.

Resignation from Government

However, Thorneycroft resigned from this role in 1958. He left because he was worried about the government spending too much money. Two other junior ministers also resigned with him.

Prime Minister Macmillan famously said these resignations were just "little local difficulties." But he was actually quite concerned about it. Later, Thorneycroft himself wondered if he had resigned too early.

Later Political Roles

Thorneycroft returned to the government in 1960. He became the Minister of Aviation, dealing with air travel and aircraft. In 1962, he was promoted to Minister of Defence. This job meant he was in charge of the country's armed forces.

He kept this defense role when Alec Douglas-Home became Prime Minister. In 1964, his job was expanded to include other defense roles, becoming the Secretary of State for Defence.

Leaving Parliament

After the government lost the election in 1964, Thorneycroft continued to work in politics. He served as the main opposition spokesperson for defense and then for home affairs.

In the 1966 general election, Peter Thorneycroft lost his seat in Parliament. In 1967, he was given a special title called a life peerage. This meant he became Baron Thorneycroft and could sit in the House of Lords for the rest of his life.

Life After Parliament

Peter Thorneycroft was a strong supporter of Margaret Thatcher's economic ideas. When she became leader of the Conservative Party, she made him Chairman of the Conservative Party in 1975. He held this important party role until 1981.

Besides politics, Thorneycroft was also a talented amateur artist. He enjoyed painting with watercolors and even had his artwork shown in exhibitions. It is said that Winston Churchill once told him, "Every minister must have his vice. Painting shall be yours."

He received a special honor called the Order of the Companions of Honour in 1980. This award recognizes outstanding achievements.

Family Connections

Peter Thorneycroft came from a family with many interesting connections. His grandfather, Colonel Thomas Thorneycroft, was a well-known industrialist and politician. His great-grandfather, George Benjamin Thorneycroft, was the first Mayor of Wolverhampton.

He also had famous relatives like John Isaac Thorneycroft, who founded a shipbuilding company, and the poet Siegfried Sassoon.

Peter Thorneycroft was married twice. He had a son from his first marriage and a daughter from his second marriage to Carla, Contessa Roberti.

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Peter Thorneycroft facts for kids

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