Douglas-Home

Douglas-Home (Alec Douglas-Home, 1903-1995, 14th earl of Home 1951; KT 1962, baron 1974) Conservative politician and Prime Minister 1963-4, with a complex career between the two Houses of Parliament. At the end of Macmillan’s premiership, Lord Home emerged from secret consultations as leader of the party (Rab Butler had been the expected successor). He disclaimed his peerage, an option first available in that year, and became Prime Minister as Sir Alec Douglas-Home. The Conservatives lost the election of 1964, and in 1965 Douglas-Home resigned as leader of the party.

DAVID DUTTON teaches history at Liverpool University and is an expert on the politics of the Conservative Party. His previous books include Austen Chamberlain: Gentleman in Politics; Anthony Eden: a Life and Reputation; Neville Chamberlain; and A History of the Liberal Party in the Twentieth Century.