Academics say Gordon Brown was third worst PM since WWII

By Tim Montgomerie

According to a survey of more than one hundred leading academics, reported in the Financial Times (£), only Sir Anthony Eden and Sir Alec Douglas-Home were less impressive.

The academics, all experts in politics and history, put Atlee at the top of their list. The creator of the centralised British state which nationalised large parts of British society and economic production scored a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Margaret Thatcher was second placed scoring 6.9. I think that's right. Margaret Thatcher was a great reforming Prime Minister but the Atlee legacy has cast a longer shadow.