
Aneurin Bevan on the Socialist Ambitions of the NHS
On the 72nd anniversary of the NHS, we republish an interview with its founder, Aneurin Bevan, in which he describes the socialist ambitions that influenced its creation.
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Aneurin Bevan was the Labour member of parliament for Ebbw Vale between 1929 and 1960, and the Minister of Health who founded the NHS. He was also a founder of Tribune and served as its co-editor with Jon Kimche in the 1940s.
On the 72nd anniversary of the NHS, we republish an interview with its founder, Aneurin Bevan, in which he describes the socialist ambitions that influenced its creation.
'The enemy who has now been overthrown was the particular and special enemy of working-class institutions, ideas and hopes.' To mark VE Day, we republish Aneurin Bevan's Tribune editorial on the end of the Second World War.
In 1959, after Labour had suffered three consecutive election defeats, Nye Bevan made a defiant conference speech in defence of socialism. We republish that speech today.