Leslie Maurice Lever, Baron Lever (1905–77) was a British Labour politician, solicitor, and philanthropist, known for advocating social justice and inner-city communities. He served as MP for Manchester Ardwick (1950–70) and was granted a life peerage as Baron Lever of Ardwick (1975.)
Born in Manchester, England, he attended Manchester Grammar School and studied law at the University of Leeds. As a solicitor, he became the “poor man’s lawyer,” funding legal cases for clients unable to afford representation before Legal Aid’s introduction in 1948.
Lever was deeply involved in Manchester’s civic life, serving as Lord Mayor of Manchester (1957–58,) attending over 2,700 official engagements. His political career focused on housing, welfare, and urban renewal, representing inner-city slum areas as both councillor and MP.
Biographies include John Callaghan’s The Poor Man’s Lawyer: The Life and Legacy of Leslie Lever (1982,) examining his legal advocacy, and David Russell’s Manchester and the Social Reformer: Leslie Lever’s Political Impact (1995,) analyzing his role in urban development.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Leslie Lever, Baron Lever
Generosity is a part of my character, and I therefore hasten to assure this Government that I will never make an allegation of dishonesty against it wherever a simple explanation of stupidity will suffice.
—Leslie Lever, Baron Lever
Topics: Government
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