Constituency : Carlisle 1910-18, Leeds Central 1929-45 ( Labour )
Richard took over from Frederick Chance at Carlisle.
Richard was a descendant of Baron Denman. His elder brother was Governor-General of Australia. He was educated at Westminster School .In 1905 he became private secretary to Sydney Buxton the Postmaster-General.
After his election , Buxton appointed Richard his PPS at the Board of Trade. In 1911 he became chairman of London Juvenile Advisory Committee.
Richard initially joined the Union of Democratic Control and wrote a pamphlet "On The Road To Peace" which criticised the Church of England's jingoism. It was picked up by the German press and Richard was attacked as being pro-Grman and de-selected by his constituency association. In response to this , he fought in World War One as a lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery. While in training, he voted against conscription. He was appalled by what he saw at the Front and attempted to resign his commission. He also tried to get the soldier MPs recalled to Parliament.
Richard joined Lloyd George's government as PPS to Herbert Fisher at the Board of Education then to Rowland Protheroe at Agriculture.
Richard stood down in 1918. He stood for Newcastle-upon-Tyne West as an Asquithian . He came a poor third but allowed Labour to take the seat. He returned to Carlisle in 1923 but came a distant third again.
In 1924 Richard joined Labour and was elected to Leeds Central in 1929. He stuck with MacDonald and held his seat in 1931 and 1935 as a National Labour candidate. He was Second Church Estates Commissioner between 1931 and 1943.
Richard stood down in 1945 and was created a baronet. His son failed to succeed him as a Conservative candidate.
He died in 1957 aged 81.
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