Ruth Perry vs Stanley Baldwin

Ruth Perry was appointed Chairperson of the Council of State of Liberia in September 1996, becoming the first female African head of state in the modern era. She led the transitional government during the final stages of the First Liberian Civil War.

Perry's government supervised the disarmament of warring factions and organized the 1997 general elections, which brought Charles Taylor to power. Despite criticisms of the election's fairness, Perry's leadership helped end the civil war and restore civilian rule.

After leaving office in 1997, Perry remained active in peacebuilding and women's rights advocacy. She worked with organizations such as the Liberian Women's Initiative, promoting reconciliation and gender equality in post-conflict Liberia.

As Prime Minister, Baldwin faced the General Strike called by the Trades Union Congress in support of coal miners. Baldwin's government used emergency powers and propaganda to maintain essential services, and the strike collapsed after nine days, weakening the trade union movement.

Baldwin's government passed the Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Act, which made general strikes illegal and restricted trade union political funds. The Act required union members to opt in to paying the political levy, reducing Labour Party funding.

Baldwin's government enacted the Statute of Westminster, which granted legislative independence to the Dominions of the British Empire (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Irish Free State, Newfoundland). This established the legal basis for the modern Commonwealth.

Baldwin's government initiated a major re-armament programme in response to German re-militarization, including expansion of the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. This marked a shift from earlier disarmament policies, though critics argued it was too slow.

As Prime Minister, Baldwin managed the constitutional crisis caused by King Edward VIII's desire to marry Wallis Simpson, a divorced American. Baldwin insisted the King abdicate if he married Simpson, leading to Edward's abdication in December 1936 and the accession of George VI.