Harold MacMillan was Prime Minister from 1957 to 1963 and I believe he is a underappreciated Prime Minister
I am greatly interested in politics so I just wanted to give a brief view on Harold MacMillian
MacMillan inherited a disastrous government. Anthony Eden had resigned, claiming because of his ill health,
which by no means was true, but the actual reason for his departure was pressure from his cabinet. Eden had taken a holiday in Jamaica (staying with Bond creator Ian Fleming no less) and during this time his cabinet, led by Rab Butler ruled the UK. During this time, the Cabinet plotted, as politicians do to over throw Eden.
Eden's tenure was somewhat cut short. He was Prime Minister for two years. He had waited in the shadows as foreign secretary to his predecessor Winston Churchill. The disaster Eden had created was the Suez Crises. The Seuz is a canal in Egpyt that was still owned by the UK following Egypt's independence in 1922. In 1957, Colonel Nasser of Egypt decided to seize the canal. Eden wanted to go to war, MacMillan, the then Chancellor, supporting him. Eden had previously met with Nasser offending him twice. Firstly be speaking to him in Arabic, of which Eden could speak fluently, meant Nasser thought he was being too colonial by speaking the language. Eden then spoke English in their next meeting and Nasser thought he was being ignorant of Egyptian culture. Eden had developed a personal feud with Nasser, so for him it was necessary to retake the canal. Eden did not have the support from the commons to retake the canal however. A period of de-colonization was occurring, therefore reclaiming the canal did not seem probable. It was at this stage that Eden formed a secret plan with the French and the Israelis to reclaim the canal. The Israelis would invade, and then the French and the British would intervene to promote peace between the two sides and in doing so reclaim the canal. This did happen, with the exception of the canal being put back in British hands. This was seen as a disaster for Eden. His cabinet were split over the issue, MacMillan had actually been on the side of Eden. MacMillan still blamed Eden for the disaster and was chosen to lead the party following Eden's resignation to Her Majesty the Queen.
So that's how MacMillan became Prime Minister. At the moment he seems to be seen as rather treacherous. As most politicians seem to be seen. MacMillan served the rest of Eden's term and was re-elected in 1959. He continued the Post-War consensus that had been established by Clement Atlee and was MacMillan is largely seen as the first Prime Minister to actively engange in Kenysian economic policy - that is government interference to be kept at a minimal level.
Harold MacMillan's personal life was quite the scandal. His wife was a Lady, Dorothy Cavendish, and decedent of previous Prime Minister William Cavendish. Dorothy embarked on a 40 plus affair with Baron Boothby, a Conservative Peer, an affiar MacMillan was all too aware off. This is incredibly sad for the man.
MacMillan's tenure also saw the start of the fall of respect. MacMillan was insulted in comedies, including one of which, 'On the Fringe' by Dudley Moore and Peter Cook that MacMillan attended himself. The respect for politicians had gone and this was largely down to another scandal, the scandal that bought MacMillan's premiership to a close.
John Profumo was secretary of state for war. There was a rumour that he was in a relationship, an affair with a 19 year old model, Christine Keeler. Not only was an affair scandalous enough at the time but Keeler was also in a relationship with a member of the Soviet government. It is believed that Profumo was sharing government secrets to Keeler who was then sharing these to the Soviet gentlemen, therefore leaking secret cabinet meetings to the cold war enemy. Harold MacMillan had publicly back Profumo when the rumours started but when it was revealed as proof, by Dr Stephen Ward who hosted the party that Profumo and Keeler met (also it is rumoured that Prince Philip was at this party too), MacMillan's reputation went down the drain. He tried to resign but was pressured not to at first. Then he found a tumour the size of an orange and resigned as Prime Minister to the Queen on his hospital bed. It is now believed that MacMillan was aware at the time that the tumour was benine but he was just desperate to get out.
MacMillan's successor brought around more controversy. Sir Alec Douglas Home was his successor, controversial for many reasons for his appointment. He was foreign secretary and MacMillan's favourite but he was not the favourite of the cabinet, it is debated. Nor was he second, third but fourth. If that was bad enough he was an Earl and sat in the House of Lords, he was unelected. Although this was perfectly legal, no Prime Minister had come from the Lords since the early 20th century. Home disclaimed his peerage on the day he took office and became an MP. However it gets slightly worse. At this stage of the Conservatives, there was no election for a new leader, it was just decided. MacMillan told the Queen to appoint Home, which she did because she liked him. Home was a personal fried of the Queen Mother, this being an additional controversy.
And that's a brief summary of Harold MacMillan.
