Question

Who was the Prime Minister of the U.K. at the time of India's Independence?
A) Lord Attlee
B) Winston Churchill
C) Lord Mountbatten
D) Harold Wilson

Answer 1

Hint: The head of the Labour Party was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the time of independence. The Labour Party in the United Kingdom is a centre-left political party that has been characterised as a coalition of social democrats, democratic socialists, and trade unionists.

Complete answer:
Now, let us look at each options available:
Option A) Lord Attlee: From 1935 to 1955, Clement Attlee led the Labour Party and served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951. He expanded and strengthened social care and the public sector in post-war Britain as Prime Minister, establishing the National Health Service and nationalising main factories and public utilities. Hence, he was in power during India’s Independence time. Therefore, this option is correct.

Option B) Winston Churchill : From 1940 to 1945, and then from 1951 to 1955, he served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Churchill is best known for actively leading the United Kingdom during World War II. He was known for his motivational speeches and his refusal to surrender, particularly though things were going wrong. Hence, he was not in power during the year 1947. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

Option C) Lord Mountbatten : Mountbatten was appointed Viceroy of India in March 1947, with the responsibility of overseeing the British withdrawal. He made friends with powerful politicians, particularly Jawaharlal Nehru, but he couldn't convince Muslim leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah of the benefits of a united, independent India. Hence, he was not the prime minister of the UK.
Therefore, this option is incorrect.

Option D) Harold Wilson :James Harold Wilson, was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from October 1964 to June 1970 and March 1974 to April 1976. Since, he was not in power during the year 1947. Hence, this option is incorrect.

Note: The British Government will give complete self-government to British India by 30 June 1948 at the latest, the future of the Princely States will be determined after the date of final partition is settled, was declared by Clement Attlee, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, on February 20, 1947.