Constituency : Orkney and Shetland 1950-83
The Liberals got through the 1945-50 election just about intact after constant in-fighting between right and left-leaning MPs. They fielded more candidates than in any election since 1929 but it did them little good as their number of MPs shrank to nine. A major constituency reorganisation at the election was a mixed blessing.
The Liberal Nationals were widely seen as an anachronism; Simon himself only remained in the fold because Churchill didn't want him in the Conservatives. There was a brief attempt by Davies and his allies to reunite the party but the National Liberals were unwilling to cut ties with the Tories. The Tories then moved in and with the Wooton-Teviot Pact of 1947 merged the two parties at constituency level . This ended any pretence of independence and, unless there's a good reason to the contrary, subsequent National Liberal MPs won't be covered here. Though their representation apparently increased in 1950. most of the newcomers had previously sat or at least stood as Conservatives.
This is a big moment in the blog as we come to the first MP I actually met.
Jo took Orkney and Shetland from the Tories at the second attempt in a three-cornered contest.
Jo was born in Fife, the son of a jute merchant. He was educated at Eton and Oxford. He became a barrister. He served in World War Two as a Major. In 1938 he married Asquith's granddaughter Laura Bonham-Carter. He ran the Tories close in 1945 and would certainly have won it in a straight contest. He worked for the United Nations Relieif and Rehabilitation Administration and then the Scottish National Trust.
Jo became chief whip as Frank Byers had lost his seat.
Jo significantly increased his majority in 1951 and became leader of the party five years later when Clement Davies stepped down.He immediately steered the party to an anti-Suez line. He cut a much more impressive figure in public with his charm, intelligence and oratorical skills. His impact became apparent when the Liberals started winning by-elections in 1958 and increased their seat tally in 1964. He is remembered for starting a debate about realigning the left and his promise to move the party "towards the sound of gunfire ". He also once said "I am not prepared to lead a party of eunuchs". His vision of a radical third force inspired many young radicals to join the party.He mooted the idea of co-operation with Wilson's government with its slim majority but was not taken up on it.
Although popular with the public, Jo's contributions were largely ignored in Parliament . He was good at posing questions but not at making speeches. In 1967 he stepped aside for Jeremy Thorpe. He became interim leader in 1976 when Thorpe had to stand down. He opposed the Lib-Lab pact as the corporate state offended his ideas on personal freedom. He was cool towards the Alliance with the SDP but didn't openly oppose it.
Jo was a prolific author and held a number of academic positions.
Jo stood down in 1983. I met him in Littleborough Square that summer when he was campaigning for the Liberal candidate Richard Knowles. He became Baron Grimond
He died in 1993 following a stroke aged 80.
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