Callaghan, James, Baron Callaghan of Cardiff

Callaghan, James, Baron Callaghan of Cardiff ( Leonard Callaghan ) ( 1912 – 2005 )
British Labour statesman, Prime Minister ( 1976 – 79 ). He became Prime Minister following Harold Wilson's resignation; the leader of a minority government, he was forced in 1977 to negotiate an agreement with the Liberal Party (the Lib–Lab Pact) to stay in power. After widespread strikes in the so-called ‘winter of discontent’ ( 1978 – 79 ), Callaghan's government received a vote of no confidence on the issue of Scottish devolution; the Labour Party lost to Margaret Thatcher's Conservatives in the ensuing election.