Henry Campbell-Bannerman (1905-8) - Prime Minister - Parliament

Henry Campbell-Bannerman was born in 1836 and joined the family drapery business after being educated at Glasgow High School and Cambridge. After the 1868 election he was appointed as the MP for Stirling and in the following years he became the Secretary for Ireland and the War Secretary.

Campbell-Bannerman was not the strongest leader or a great orator but had a good reputation as an efficient politician which led to him becoming the leader of the House of Commons. He was invited by Edward VII to form his own government after Balfour resigned and he became Prime Minister. In 1908 he resigned due to bad health and died eighteen days later.

Campbell-Bannerman to his Private Secretary after his resignation:
"There's the last kick. My dear fellow, I don't mind. I've been Prime Minister for longer than I deserve".

Campbell-Bannerman on his health regime:
"Personally I am an immense believer in bed, in constantly keeping horizontal: the heart and everything else goes slower, and the whole system is refreshed"

"Good government could never be a substitute for government by the people themselves."