| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
Whitelaw attended Trinity College, Cambridge, then joined the British Army, earning the rank of major in the Scots Guards; during World War IIWorld War II was the most extensive and costly armed conflict in the history of the world, involving the great majority of the world's nations, being fought simultaneously in several major theatres, and costing tens of millions of lives. The war was fough, he earned a Military Cross. He became MPA Member of Parliament or MP is a representative elected by the voters of an electoral district to a parliament; in the Westminster system, specifically to the lower house. Australia In Australia, the term Member of Parliament refers specifically to a mem for Penrith and the Border in 19551955 is a common year starting on Saturday. see link for calendar) Events January events January 2 Panama president Jose Antonio Remon is assassinated. January 19 The Scrabble board game debuts. February events February 8 Nikolai Bulganin ousts Georgi Mal, and represented that constituency for 28 years. He became Opposition Chief WhipThe Chief Whip is a political office in some legislatures assigned to an elected member whose task is to administer the whipping system that ensures that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires. In British politics, when his o in 1964Events January January 1 Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is dissolved. January 3 Senator Barry Goldwater announces that he will seek the Republican nomination for President. January 5 In the first meeting between leaders of the Roman Catholic and Ort, and then Lord President of the CouncilThe Office of Lord President of the Council is a British cabinet position, the holder of which acts as Presiding officer of the Privy Council. The Lord President's principal responsibility is to preside at meetings of the Privy Council, at which the Briti and Leader of the House of CommonsThe Leader of the House of Commons is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom who is responsible for arranging government business in the House of Commons. Although at one time the position was usually held by the Prime Minister if he was an MP, in in 1970. He was also appointed to the Privy Council during this time.
He was the first British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland after the imposition of direct rule in March 1972 and he served in that capacity until November 1973. During his time in Northern Ireland he introduced ' special category ' status for paramilitary prisoners. He also served as Secretary of State for Employment from 1973 to 1974; in the latter year, he became a Companion of Honour.
Soon after Harold Wilson took control of the government, Whitelaw became Deputy Leader of the Opposition, a position he held until Margaret Thatcher became prime minister. In 1979, he became Home Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister. Two days after the 1983 general election he received a hereditary peerage (the first created for 18 years) in order to become Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Lords. This sparked an immediate by-election.
Whitelaw faced many challenges in attempting to manage the House of Lords, facing a major defeat over abolition of the Greater London Council within a year of taking over. However, his patrician and moderate style appealed to Conservative peers and his tenure is considered a success.
During his period as Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Lords, Margaret Thatcher relied on Whitelaw heavily and famously announced that "every prime minister needs a Willie".
He was forced to resign by ill health in January 1988.