Leslie Burgin

Leslie Burgin was a British barrister and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Luton from 1929 to 1945. Initially elected as a Liberal, he later joined the Liberal National faction and held significant ministerial office under Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. His most notable roles were as Minister of Transport and the inaugural Minister of Supply during the early stages of the Second World War.

Early life and education

Born in London on 7 July 1887, he was educated at St Paul's School before proceeding to Downing College, Cambridge. At Cambridge University, he excelled academically, graduating with first-class honours in law and being awarded the prestigious Whewell Scholarship in international law. He was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in 1911, establishing a successful legal practice specializing in commercial and international law before entering politics.

Political career

He was first elected to the House of Commons as the Liberal candidate for Luton in the 1929 general election. Following the political crisis of the Great Depression and the formation of the National Government in 1931, he, like many Liberals, chose to support the administration led by Ramsay MacDonald and subsequently Stanley Baldwin. This alignment led him to join the Liberal National group, which formally supported the Conservative-dominated government. He retained his seat in Luton in the 1931 and 1935 elections.

Ministerial appointments

His ministerial career began in 1937 when Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain appointed him as Minister of Transport, succeeding Leslie Hore-Belisha. In this role, he was responsible for the road traffic legislation of the era and oversaw aspects of civil aviation. With the escalating threat from Nazi Germany, he was appointed in 1939 to the newly created and critically important post of Minister of Supply, a key department tasked with coordinating industrial production and raw materials for the impending war effort. His tenure coincided with the early period of the Second World War, including the Phoney War. He left the government in 1940 during the ministerial reshuffle that followed Chamberlain's resignation and the formation of the coalition government under Winston Churchill.

Later life and death

After leaving government, he continued to serve as the MP for Luton but did not hold further office. His health declined during the war years. He died in London on 12 February 1945, at the age of 57, while still in office. His death triggered a by-election in his constituency, which was won by William Warbey of the Labour Party.

Personal life

In 1915, he married Dorothy Kathleen McCalmont, with whom he had two sons. He was a keen sportsman in his youth, representing Cambridge University at real tennis and remaining an active tennis player and golfer throughout his life. His legal background and expertise in international commerce informed his political approach, particularly in his work at the Ministry of Supply. He was a member of the Reform Club and maintained a residence in London as well as in his parliamentary constituency.

Category:1887 births Category:1945 deaths Category:Alumni of Downing College, Cambridge Category:British barristers Category:Liberal National (UK) MPs Category:Liberal Party (UK) MPs Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Luton Category:Ministers of Supply of the United Kingdom Category:Ministers of Transport of the United Kingdom Category:People educated at St Paul's School, London