Who succeeded Winston Churchill as Prime Minister in 1955?

Winston Churchill was succeeded by Anthony Eden as Prime Minister in 1955.

Eden took office on 6 April 1955, after Churchill retired at the age of 80. The two men had worked closely for years, especially during the Second World War, when Eden served as Foreign Secretary and became one of Churchill’s most trusted colleagues. Eden also succeeded Churchill as leader of the Conservative Party.

The transition was followed by a general election on 26 May 1955. Eden’s Conservatives won, increasing their parliamentary majority from 17 seats to 60. His public reputation was initially strong because of his wartime diplomatic experience and polished image. A common mix-up is to name Harold Macmillan, but Macmillan succeeded Eden in January 1957, after Eden resigned following the Suez Crisis and worsening health. Eden’s premiership therefore came between Churchill’s second term and Macmillan’s leadership.