On this day .... 1955: Attlee steps down as Labour leader
Clement Attlee has resigned as leader of the opposition Labour Party, following months of speculation. Tonight the Prime Minister, Sir Anthony Eden, announced in Downing Street that the Queen is to make Mr Attlee an earl.

He is the first Labour leader to accept a hereditary peerage. This will allow him to continue his work for the parliamentary Labour Party from the House of Lords, where the Opposition has little representation.

He made his announcement this morning at the start of a special meeting of the shadow cabinet in the Commons convened to discuss the Middle East.

'Regrettable'

He said: "After the [1951] general election I intimated that I would continue as chairman of the party meantime.

"It is regrettable, however, that since that date there has scarcely been a week passed without one prominent member of the party or another talking about my impending resignation. That certainly does not help the party."

He then announced his immediate resignation and was thanked for his long service to the party and the country.

More from the beeb here
  ¶ 1:32 pm