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Anthony Eden 1955

Conservative Government
5 April 1955 - 9 January 1957

When Churchill finally stood down a general election was called. The Conservatives were returned to power with 345 seats. Labour held 277 and the Liberals only six. However, the Suez Crisis soon overwhelmed the new Prime Minister, Anthony Eden. The crisis demonstrated the relative decline of British power, casting a long shadow over British foreign policy, and specifically over relations with the Arab world.

Cabinet members
Position Name Dates
Prime Minister A. Eden 6 Apr 55 - 9 Jan 57
Lord President Marquis of Salisbury 6 Apr 55 - 9 Jan 57
Lord Chancellor Viscount Kilmuir 6 Apr 55 - 9 Jan 57
Lord Privy Seal H. Crookshank 6 Apr 55 - 20 Dec 55
  R. Butler 20 Dec 55 - 9 Jan 57
Chancellor of the Exchequer R. Butler 6 Apr 55 - 20 Dec 55
  H. Macmillan 20 Dec 55 - 9 Jan 57
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs H. Macmillan 7 Apr 55 - 20 Dec 55
  S. Lloyd 20 Dec 55 - 9 Jan 57 
Secretary of State for Home Affairs G. Lloyd George 6 Apr 55 - 9 Jan 57
  G. Lloyd-George 18 Oct 54 - 5 Apr 55 
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries D. Heathcoat Amory 6 Apr 55 - 9 Jan 57
Secretary of State for the Colonies A. Lennox Boyd 6 Apr 55 - 9 Jan 57
Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations Earl of Home 7 Apr 55 - 9 Jan 57 
Minister for Defence S. Lloyd 7 Apr 55 - 20 Dec 55 
  Sir W. Monkton 20 Dec 55 - 18 Oct 56
  A. Head 18 Oct 56 - 9 Jan 57
Minister of Education Sir D. Eccles 6 Apr 55 - 9 Jan 57
Minister of Food D. Heathcoat Amory 6 Apr 55 - 9 Jan 57
Minister for Housing and Local Government D. Sandys 6 Apr 55 - 9 Jan 57
Minister of Labour and National Service Sir W. Monkton 6 Apr 55 - 20 Dec 55
  I. MacLeod 20 Dec 55 - 9 Jan 57 
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Lord Woolton 6 Apr 55 - 20 Dec 55
  Earl of Selkirk 20 Dec 55 - 9 Jan 57 
Paymaster-General Sir W. Monkton 20 Dec 55 - 9 Jan 57
Minister for Pensions O. Peake 6 Apr 55 - 20 Dec 55
Secretary of State for Scotland J. Stuart 6 Apr 55 - 9 Jan 57
President of the Board of Trade P. Thorneycroft 6 Apr 55 - 9 Jan 57
Minister for Works P. Buchan-Hepburn 20 Dec 55 - 9 Jan 57