Richard Crossman (PJW)

Richard Crossman was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1965 to 1973.

Crossman became the leader of the Bevanite faction of the Labour Party following Bevan's death in 1960, and soon after became the Leader of the Opposition. During the Long Hot Summers of the early 1960s, Crossman became the champion of the younger British generation, and an image of him shaking hands with Buddy Holly while the Quarrymen played in the background became one of the most famous pictures of the time period. In the 1964 general election, the Conservatives would be turned out in favor of Labour, and Crossman became the Prime Minister.

Crossman oversaw the gradual withdrawal of British forces around the globe, and his removal of troops from Central Africa saw him reach popularity unmatched by no other. He enacted domestic reforms as well, and Crossman and Labor easily won a second election in 1969. During his second term, Crossman led the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Community in favor of joining the new Northern Coalition of Canada, the UK, and the Nordic Council.

Tensions with the continent increased as the French Civil War erupted. Crossman considered intervention, but domestic turmoil as Irish and Scottish nationalists emerged, emboldened by the independence movements in France. Thus, much of the British military was kept at home, and Crossman only watched as NATO collapsed and West Germany invaded France and three nuclear weapons were unleashed.

Crossman resigned after the nuclear destruction of Paris and the utter collapse of France. He is highly regarded for his domestic policies, but the spiral of chaos at the end of his second term casts him in a more negative light.