Constituency : Huddersfield 1931-45 ( from 1931 Liberal National )
William took Huddersfield from the Tories at the second attempt, helped by the Tories' withdrawal.
William was born in Leeds and educated at Woodhouse Grove School and Cambridge. He served in World War One as a captain and was wounded. He became a merchant and businessman.
William's maiden speech called for government co-operation with retail distributors to prevent prices going up as a result of the Abnormal Importations Bill. He believed in government planning to deal with the economy and accepted this would sometimes call for protectionist measures.
William did not stand as a Liberal National in 1931 but joined them after the election. He persuaded his local party to let him be a bridge between the two groupings. He stayed on the government benches when Samuel went into opposition and again persuaded the local party that he viewed it as a tactical mistake. They supported his candidature in 1935 when he had an easy victory . In 1939 the local Liberal association formallly affiliated to the Liberal Nationals prompting the formation of an official Liberal factiion and the nomination of a new candidate.
William belatedly began a ministerial career in 1939 as Minister for Home Security. He was also Assistant Postmaster-General, Parliamentary Secretary to the Home Department, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs during the war.
In 1945 William was defeated by Labour as a Liberal National. The Liberals ran a candidate against him, ensuring his defeat. In 1947 the local Conservatives announced their intention to put forward their own candidate and the Liberal National organisation folded not long afterwards.
William was knighted in 1954 and created Baron Mabane in 1962.
He died in 1969 aged 74.
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