ABSTRACT
Attlee proved himself to be a successful Prime Minister, even if he was often criticised for some of his policies, including rearmament, support for NATO in 1949, participation in the war in Korea, and for agreeing with Bevin that Britain should fund the construction of an independent nuclear deterrent. Attlee's choice for Minister of Education was Ellen Wilkinson, who had been regarded as left-wing in her younger days but had moved to the right, especially since her amorous liaison with Herbert Morrison. Attlee and his government have been criticised for the missed opportunities of 1945-51. Some of the blame falls on Attlee himself, but in the case of education, some other ministers must share the responsibility. Part of Attlee's success was that he was acceptable to the whole Party – left and right, ethical socialists as well as Fabian modernisers and centralist nationalisers.
