Jonathan Harris
American character actor (1914-2002)
Enoch Powell
British politician (1912-1998)
Enoch Powell was a British politician, scholar, and writer who served as a Member of Parliament for both the Conservative and Ulster Unionist parties. He was known for his controversial ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech criticizing immigration, which contributed to both the Conservatives’ win in 1970 and their loss in 1974.
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About the Enoch Powell
John Enoch Powell was a British politician, scholar, and writer. He served as Member of Parliamentfor Wolverhampton South West for the Conservative Party from 1950 to February 1974 and as MP for South Down for the Ulster Unionist Partyfrom October 1974 to 1987. He was Minister of Health from 1960 to 1963 in the second Macmillan ministry and was Shadow Secretary of State for Defence from 1965 to 1968 in the Shadow Cabinet of Ted Heath. Before entering politics he was a classical scholar. He served in both staff and intelligence positions during the Second World War, reaching the rank of brigadier. Powell also wrote poetry, and several books on classical and political subjects.
In 1968, while serving as Shadow Defence Secretary, Powell attracted attention nationwide for his “Rivers of Blood” speech, in which he criticised immigration to the UK, especially rapid immigration from the New Commonwealth, and opposed the anti-discrimination Race Relations Bill (which ultimately became law). The speech was criticised by some of Powell’s own party members and The Times. Heath, who was then the leader of the Conservative Party and the leader of the Opposition, dismissed Powell from the Shadow Cabinet the day after the speech.
In the aftermath of the speech several polls suggested that 67 to 82 per cent of the British population agreed with Powell’s opinions. His supporters argued that Powell’s large public following helped the Conservatives to win the 1970 general election, and perhaps cost them the February 1974 general election, when Powell turned his back on the Conservatives by endorsing a vote for the Labour Party, which returned as a minority government. Powell was returned to the House of Commons in October 1974 as the Ulster Unionist Party MP for the Northern Ireland constituency of South Down. He represented the constituency until he was defeated at the 1987 general election.
Frequently Asked Questions
Enoch Powell was a British politician, scholar, and writer who served as a Member of Parliament for both the Conservative and Ulster Unionist parties from 1950 to 1987.
In 1968, while serving as Shadow Defence Secretary, Enoch Powell gave a speech criticizing immigration to the UK, especially rapid immigration from the New Commonwealth, and opposing the anti-discrimination Race Relations Bill.
The ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech was controversial, with some of Powell’s own party members and The Times criticizing it. However, it also gained him a large public following, which some argue helped the Conservatives win the 1970 general election and perhaps cost them the 1974 election.
Enoch Powell served as Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton South West for the Conservative Party from 1950 to 1974, and as MP for South Down for the Ulster Unionist Party from 1974 to 1987. He was also Minister of Health from 1960 to 1963 and Shadow Secretary of State for Defence from 1965 to 1968.
Before entering politics, Enoch Powell was a classical scholar. He also served in both staff and intelligence positions during the Second World War, reaching the rank of brigadier.
In addition to his political career, Enoch Powell was also a writer who authored poetry and several books on classical and political subjects.
Enoch Powell was defeated at the 1987 general election while serving as the Ulster Unionist Party MP for the Northern Ireland constituency of South Down, which he had represented since 1974.