Leslie Hore-belisha Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Leslie Hore-Belisha, 1st Baron Hore-Belisha, was a prominent British Liberal politician and statesman who served in several important government roles during the 1930s and 1940s. Born Isaac Leslie Belisha in 1893, he later added his wife’s maiden name (Hore) to his own surname. Hore-Belisha attended Clifton College and Oxford University before serving in the British Army during World War I.

After the war, Hore-Belisha entered politics and was elected as a Member of Parliament for Plymouth Devonport in 1923. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Liberal Party and held several ministerial positions, including Minister of Transport from 1934 to 1937. During his tenure, he introduced the iconic “Belisha beacons,” the flashing amber globes on black and white poles that mark pedestrian crossings, which are still in use today and bear his name.

Hore-Belisha’s most significant role came as Secretary of State for War from 1937 to 1940. He worked to modernize the British Army and introduced a series of reforms, including improving soldiers’ pay and living conditions. However, his efforts to promote the inclusion of Jewish refugees in the armed forces and his clashes with the military establishment led to his dismissal by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in 1940. Despite this setback, Hore-Belisha remained a prominent figure in British politics until his death in 1957.

This blue plaque, erected in 1980, commemorates Hore-Belisha’s residence at 16 Stafford Place in the City of Westminster, London. The borough of Westminster, in the heart of the capital, has been home to numerous influential figures throughout history and is known for its iconic landmarks, such as the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace.