Constituency : Isle of Ely 1929-45
James took Isle of Ely from the Tories in a three-cornered contest.
James was a scion of the French branch of the de Rothschild family. He was educated at Lycee Louis de Grand school, Paris and Cambridge. After graduating he spent 18 months working anonymously as a ranch hand in Australia. He served in three armies in World War One, the French, Canadian and British. He served in Palestine and raised funds for the Jewish Legion. He reached the rank of major and won the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was a racehorse owner and his horse "Bomba" won the Ascot Gold Cup in 1909. He became a naturalised Briton in 1920 and in 1922 inherited the Wadddesdon Manor estate. s well as banking, he had many industrial interests. He was a major art collector. He loved golf and lost an eye during a game.
James was an opponent of Lloyd George's co-operation strategy with Labour and allied with Hore-Belisha and Shakespeare against him. He spoke against Lloyd George at the NLF conference in 1931. However he declined to join the Liberal Nationals probably out of personal loyalty to Samuel. His donations helped keep the party afloat.
James had an easy victory over Labour and Agricultural Party candidates in 1931 then narrowly defeated the Tories in a straight fight in 1935.
During the Second World War James spoke out against Jewish persecution and housed a number of refugees.
James was very briefly parliamentary secretary to the Ministry of Supply in 1945, the last Liberal to be appointed to a government post until 2010.
James was a staunch Zionist and gave 6 million Israeli pounds for the construction of the Knesset building in Jerusalem.
In 1945 James was pushed into third place with less than 25 % of the vote.
James was flamboyant and witty in the House but could be rather aloof in person.
He died of a heart attack in 1957 aged 78.
No comments:
Post a Comment