Constituency : Woolwich East 1974-81 ( Labour ) 1981-83 ( SDP ) , Woolwich 1983-90 ( SDP ) 1990-92 ( Independent Social Democrat )
John was educated at Woking County Grammar School. He became political secretary to the Royal Arsenal Co-Operative Society and a Greenwich borough councillor. He contested Bexley against Edward Heath in 1970 and Bexleyheath in February 1974 before winning the seat vacated by Chris Mayhew in October. He was appointed PPS to Shirley Williams during the latter days of the Labour government.
Despite boundary changes, John was able to win in 1983 and became the Alliance defence spokesman , a difficult brief given substantial differences between the two parties.
John held his seat in 1987. He supported David Owen in his resistance to merger and contemplated standing against Robert McLennan when Owen resigned but thought better of it. He became President of the continuing SDP. He worked with David Alton for a renewed electoral pact but their efforts went unrewarded. He became an Independent Social Democrat when the party was wound up in 1990. David Owen tried to negotiate the Tories giving John a free run in the next election but they wouldn't agree. Instead he got an endorsement from Paddy Ashdown and a campaign visit from Shirley Williams. He was defeated by 2,200 votes.
John subsequently became Deputy Chairman of the Police Authority.
He is now 85.
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