He entered Parliament in 1945, holding several government posts dealing with economic affairs (1945–51), including Chancellor of the Exchequer (1950–51). He became leader of the Labour Party (1955–63). He represented the moderate right-wing of his party and believed in the welfare legislation of 1944–51 and the need for a balance between private and state finance. Gaitskell was particularly vigorous in his opposition to the government over the Suez War and in resisting the unilateralists within his own party.