George Lloyd (politician)

George Ambrose Lloyd, 1st Baron Lloyd (19 September 1879 – 4 February 1941) was a British Conservative politician and colonial administrator. He is best known for his staunchly imperialist views and his roles as Governor of Bombay (1918-1923) and High Commissioner for Egypt and Sudan (1925-1929).

Lloyd was educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge. He entered Parliament as the Member of Parliament (MP) for West Staffordshire in 1910, holding the seat until 1918. He served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Andrew Bonar Law, during World War I.

As Governor of Bombay, Lloyd focused on maintaining British authority and suppressing Indian nationalist movements. He oversaw significant infrastructure projects, including the Lloyd Barrage on the Indus River.

In 1925, he was appointed High Commissioner for Egypt and Sudan, a position he held until 1929. During his tenure, he aimed to safeguard British interests in the Suez Canal and maintain British influence over Egyptian affairs. He was a strong advocate for British control and resisted Egyptian demands for greater independence.

After returning to Britain, Lloyd remained active in Conservative politics. He was created Baron Lloyd in 1925. He served as Secretary of State for the Colonies under Winston Churchill during the early years of World War II, from 1940 until his death in 1941. Lord Lloyd was a prominent figure in the Diehard wing of the Conservative Party, representing a traditional and uncompromising imperialist stance. His writings include "Egypt Since Cromer" (1933), which detailed his experiences and views on British policy in Egypt.