Wednesday, 9 January 2019
2147 Russell Thomas
Constituency : Southampton 1940-45 ( Liberal National )
Russell was elected unopposed as Liberal National MP for Southampton after the brief parliamentary career of John Reith.
Russell was born in Brecon. He was educated at Brecon Grammar School and Cambridge. He qualified as a surgeon at Guys Hospital but also became a barrister. He stood as a Samuelite Liberal for Ilford in 1931 but came third. In 1935 he stood at Aberdeen and Kincardine Central but again came third. In 1936 he contested Ross and Cromarty after the local Liberal National Association decided to back Malcolm McDonald as National Labour candidate. He was a last minute candidate and many local Liberals felt they should not contest the seat. Russell came fourth with less than 5 % of the vote. After that humiliation Russell decided to join the Liberal Nationals.
In 1945 Russell and his "National" running mate ( really a Tory ) were ousted by Labour, Russell coming fourth. He rejoined the official Liberal party and fought Middlesbrough East in 1950 coming third. In 1955 he contested his hometown seat of Brecon and Radnor but came third once again.
He died in 1957 aged 60.
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