Who was Aneurin Bevan, when did he create the NHS and where was he an MP for Labour?
As the health service celebrates 70 years of existence here is the lowdown on the minister who set it up
ANEURIN Bevan was a Welsh politician and the man behind the founding of the NHS.
As the health service celebrates 70 years of existence here is the lowdown on the minister who set it up.
Who was Aneurin Bevan?
Aneurin Bevan was born on November 15, 1897, in Tredegar in Wales.
His dad was a miner and the poor working class family in which Bevan grew up gave him first-hand experience of the problems of poverty and disease.
Bevan, also known as "Nye" left school at 13 and began working in a local colliery.
He became a trade union activist and won a scholarship to study in London and during his time in London became a believer in socialism.
During the 1926 General Strike, Bevan emerged as one of the leaders of the South Wales miners.
In 1929, Bevan was elected as the Labour Member of Parliament for Ebbw Vale.
In 1934 he married another Labour MP, Jennie Lee.
During World War Two, Bevan was one of the leaders of the left in the House of Commons.
When did he create the NHS?
Following Labour's landslide victory in the 1945 general election after the war, Bevan was appointed minister of health, responsible for establishing the NHS.
On 5 July 1948, the government took control of all medical services declaring free diagnosis and treatment for all.
In 1951, Bevan was moved to become minister of labour.
Shortly after, he resigned from the government in protest over the introduction of prescription charges for dental care and glasses.
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Where was he a Labour MP?
Bevan was MP for Ebbw Vale in 1929.
It was a constituency that comprised the north western part of Monmouthshire in south east Wales.
He represented Ebbw Vale for over three decades never losing an election.
Bevan was an MP for the constituency from the age of 31 until his death from cancer at 62-years-old in 1960.
He was succeeded by future Labour leader Michael Foot following a by-election after he died.
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