Quite imperturbable when he felt that the interests of himself and the government were at stake. When of course he was dealing with the broader divisions within the Labour Party he took a very interesting attitude. Attlee reasoned that it was the left wing of the Party that were much more likely to be disappointed in their aspirations, especially if he had anything to do with it. So he was extremely careful to do nothing to affront their susceptibilities. He said that his position in the Labour Party was slightly left of centre.
Goodness knows what that means.
But it had the desired effect. Lots of people started to think that there was a secret left-winger buried somewhere in Clem trying to get out. And he was very careful to reinforce that impression when he felt he was in appropriate company by speculating about the future of Nye Bevan. Nye, said Clem, in his opinion would probably succeed him as leader of the Labour Party. All Nye had to do, according to Clem, was to keep very calm, not to get too excited, and to please consult Clem if in fact he should ever feel that there was anything that was particularly worrying him.