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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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National government
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Coalition of three parties (Labour, Conservative, Liberal) formed in response to the financial crisis of 1931, with Ramsay *MacDonald at its head. It lasted until 1940. The prime ministers after MacDonald were *Baldwin (1935–7) and Neville *Chamberlain. MacDonald and Baldwin fought the elections of 1931 and 1935 on a national government ticket, but the Conservative element within the coalition was predominant in 1935–40. The national government was much criticized for underestimating the threat from Hitler and for delaying rearmament. It was replaced in May 1940 by the new government of Winston Churchill. This was also a coalition, for wartime purposes, but it dropped the discredited 'national' tag.
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