Aneurin Bevan quotes

Aneurin Bevan, a prominent Welsh politician, is celebrated as the architect of Britain's National Health Service (NHS). Born in Tredegar in 1897, Bevan's socialist beliefs shaped his career as a member of Parliament for over three decades. His vision for universal healthcare led to the establishment of the NHS in 1948, providing free medical services to all. Bevan's dedication to social equality and healthcare accessibility remains a timeless inspiration. Discover more about the life and legacy of Aneurin Bevan, the man behind the NHS, and his lasting impact on public health in the United Kingdom.

Fascism is not in itself a new order of society. It is the future refusing to be born.

- Aneurin Bevan

This island is made mainly of coal and surrounded by fish. Only an organizing genius could produce a shortage of coal and fish at the same time.

- Aneurin Bevan

It is not possible to create peace in the Middle East by jeopardizing the peace of the world.

- Aneurin Bevan

It is an axiom, enforced by all the experience of the ages, that they who rule industrially will rule politically.

- Aneurin Bevan

I have never regarded politics as the arena of morals. It is the arena of interest.

- Aneurin Bevan

This is my truth, tell me yours.

- Aneurin Bevan

No amount of cajolery, and no attempts at ethical or social seduction, can eradicate from my heart a deep burning hatred for the Tory Party. So far as I am concerned they are lower than vermin.

- Aneurin Bevan

Poor fellow, he suffers from files.

- Aneurin Bevan

No attempt at ethical or social seduction can eradicate from my heart a deep burning hatred for the Tory Party. So far as I am concerned they are lower than vermin.

- Aneurin Bevan

I would rather be kept alive in the efficient if cold altruism of a large hospital than expire in a gush of warm sympathy in a small one.

- Aneurin Bevan

I read the newspapers avidly. It is my one form of continuous fiction.

- Aneurin Bevan

The Prime Minister has an absolute genius for putting flamboyant labels on empty luggage.

- Aneurin Bevan

The purpose of getting power is to be able to give it away.

- Aneurin Bevan

The Tories, every election, must have a bogy man. If you haven't got a programme, a bogy man will do.

- Aneurin Bevan

Reading is not a duty, and has consequently no business to be made disagreeable.

- Aneurin Bevan

Freedom is the by-product of economic surplus.

- Aneurin Bevan

Politics is a blood sport.

- Aneurin Bevan

We know what happens to people who stay in the middle of the road. They get run down.

- Aneurin Bevan

He seems determined to make a trumpet sound like a tin whistle.

- Aneurin Bevan

I know that the right kind of political leader for the Labour Party is a desiccated calculating machine.

- Aneurin Bevan

Stand not too near the rich man lest he destroy thee - and not too far away lest he forget thee.

- Aneurin Bevan