Morgan Phillips

Morgan Walter Phillips (18 June 1902 – 15 January 1963) was a Welsh politician and trade union activist who served as General Secretary of the Labour Party from 1944 to 1961. He was instrumental in the party's electoral successes in 1945 and 1950.

Born in Aberdare and raised in Bargoed, Phillips began work as a colliery surface worker at age twelve. He became active in local Labour politics in the 1920s before moving to London to work for the party organisation. As General Secretary, he professionalised Labour Party organisation and broadened its electoral appeal. He also served as the first chairman of the Socialist International from 1948 to 1957.

In 1957, Phillips was involved in a notable libel case with Aneurin Bevan and Richard Crossman against ''The Spectator'' magazine. The case later became controversial when Richard Crossman's diaries revealed that the three had committed perjury. Phillips retired following a stroke in 1961 and died in 1963. His daughter Gwyneth Dunwoody became a Labour MP. Provided by Wikipedia