James Chuter Ede
A detailed and long overdue study of the life of one of the great post-war cabinet ministers, Stephen Hart’s book is a stylish and enjoyable read Humane Reformer and Politician
Names get lost over time and their subjects forgotten. That is certainly true of the Rt Hon James Chuter Ede. He occupied the important position of home secretary in Attlee’s reforming government between 1945-51, providing much of the wherewithal for the post-war social revolution.
He was one of the key members of that Labour government, yet for more than 70 years no biographer emerged; thankParliament fully Stephen Hart has corrected that anomaly.
Ede was born in Surrey in 1882 into a family deeply rooted in nonconformist religion and Liberal politics. In 1908 he was elected the youngest councillor on Epsom District Council. Six years later he successfully stood for Surrey County Council, again as a Liberal. He served in France during the First World War but become disillusioned with the Liberals and switched his support to Labour, believing it better represented working people. He stood for for his new party in 1918 before winning a byelection in Surrey in March 1923, only to lose it nine months later.
In 1929 he journeyed to South Shields, on the banks of the Tyne in the far north of England, where he gained the seat for Labour which he was to hold until shortly before his death in 1965 with great distinction. He never moved north, but once elected paid regular visits, usually about five times a year by train to South Shields Station, where he was given a red-carpet welcome with local dignitaries in attendance. It was a very different political age, with some local voters being somewhat bemused with their new Labour MP; but over the years they came to accept this as the norm, although such a tradition of MPs’ visits died with him.
Constituents appreciated Ede for what he was, a thoroughly decent individual with high moral standards. Over time they came to accept that much of his political activity took place many miles to the south in Surrey. Interestingly, as their MP ascended to the highest offices of state, many took great pride in his progress.
The greatest love of his political life was education. To him, this was the most important benefit any society could bestow on its citizens. On completing his own schooling, he became a student teacher and entered the profession. Unfortunately, when he was elected onto Surrey County Council he had to resign as a teacher, but continued with his links to the profession as a paid official of his teachers’ union, remaining an active trade unionist throughout his life. Possibly his most productive period was working in the wartime coalition government drawing up the 1944 Education Act, which transformed education. He was widely regarded as the most knowledgeable MP on educational matters.
Ede worked extremely hard in the Commons, becoming very influential and highly respected. He was a committed Unitarian, and whilst he never thrust his religion down others’ throats, he lived strictly by his beliefs, gaining much respect.
Stephen Hart deserves great credit for this detailed and comprehensive account of one of the great post-war cabinet ministers. He has written with style to make his book an easy and enjoyable read. He should be commended for bringing Chuter Ede’s life and work to wider attention.
“The greatest love of his political life was education”