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{{Short description|British left-wing Labour politician and solicitor}}
{{about|the politician|the poet|Jon Silkin}}
{{about|the politician|the poet|Jon Silkin}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2015}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2015}}
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|honorific-prefix = [[The Right Honourable]]
|honorific-prefix = [[The Right Honourable]]
|name = John Silkin
|name = John Silkin
|honorific-suffix = {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100|MP}}
|honorific-suffix = {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}}
|image = John Silkin.png
|caption = Silkin in 1979
|office = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Defence]]
|office = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Defence]]
|leader = [[Michael Foot]]<br>[[Neil Kinnock]]
|leader = [[Michael Foot]]<br>[[Neil Kinnock]]
Line 14: Line 17:
|successor = [[Denzil Davies]]
|successor = [[Denzil Davies]]
|office1 = [[Shadow Leader of the House of Commons]]
|office1 = [[Shadow Leader of the House of Commons]]
|leader1 = [[Michael Foot]]
|leader1 = Michael Foot
|term_start1 = 8 December 1980
|term_start1 = 8 December 1980
|term_end1 = 30 October 1983
|term_end1 = 30 October 1983
|predecessor1 = [[Michael Foot]]
|predecessor1 = Michael Foot
|successor1 = [[Peter Shore]]
|successor1 = [[Peter Shore]]
|office2 = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills|Shadow Secretary of State for Industry]]
|office2 = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Industry]]
|leader2 = [[James Callaghan|Jim Callaghan]]
|leader2 = [[Jim Callaghan]]
|term_start2 = 14 July 1979
|term_start2 = 14 July 1979
|term_end2 = 8 December 1980
|term_end2 = 8 December 1980
|predecessor2 = [[Eric Varley]]
|predecessor2 = [[Eric Varley]]
|successor2 = [[Stanley Orme, Baron Orme|Stanley Orme]]
|successor2 = [[Stanley Orme]]
|office3 = [[Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food]]
|office3 = [[Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food]]
|primeminister3 = [[James Callaghan|Jim Callaghan]]
|primeminister3 = Jim Callaghan
|term_start3 = 10 September 1976
|term_start3 = 10 September 1976
|term_end3 = 4 May 1979
|term_end3 = 4 May 1979
|predecessor3 = [[Fred Peart, Baron Peart|Fred Peart]]
|predecessor3 = [[Fred Peart]]
|successor3 = [[Peter Walker, Baron Walker of Worcester|Peter Walker]]
|successor3 = [[Peter Walker, Baron Walker of Worcester|Peter Walker]]
|office4 = [[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs|Minister of State for Local Government and Planning]]
|office4 = [[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs|Minister of State for Local Government and Planning]]
|primeminister4 = [[Harold Wilson]]<br>[[James Callaghan|Jim Callaghan]]
|primeminister4 = [[Harold Wilson]]<br>Jim Callaghan
|term_start4 = 7 March 1974
|term_start4 = 7 March 1974
|term_end4 = 10 September 1976
|term_end4 = 10 September 1976
|predecessor4 = [[Graham Page]] {{small|(Local Government and Development)}}
|predecessor4 = [[Graham Page]] {{small|(Local Government and Development)}}
|successor4 = Position abolished
|successor4 = Position abolished
|office5 = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Health|Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Services]]
|office5 = [[Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Services]]
|leader5 = [[Harold Wilson]]
|leader5 = Harold Wilson
|term_start5 = 24 March 1972
|term_start5 = 24 March 1972
|term_end5 = 5 March 1974
|term_end5 = 5 March 1974
|predecessor5 = [[Barbara Castle]]
|predecessor5 = [[Barbara Castle]]
|successor5 = [[Keith Joseph]]
|successor5 = [[Keith Joseph]]
|office6 = [[First Commissioner of Works|Minister of Public Buildings and Works]]
|office6 = [[Minister of Public Buildings and Works]]
|primeminister6 = [[Harold Wilson]]
|primeminister6 = Harold Wilson
|term_start6 = 30 April 1969
|term_start6 = 30 April 1969
|term_end6 = 19 June 1970
|term_end6 = 19 June 1970
|predecessor6 = [[Bob Mellish, Baron Mellish|Bob Mellish]]
|predecessor6 = [[Bob Mellish]]
|successor6 = [[Julian Amery]]
|successor6 = [[Julian Amery]]
|office7 = [[Chief Whip]] of the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]<br>[[Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury]]
|office7 = [[Government Chief Whip in the House of Commons]]<br/ >[[Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury]]
|primeminister7 = [[Harold Wilson]]
|primeminister7 = Harold Wilson
|term_start7 = 4 July 1966
|term_start7 = 4 July 1966
|term_end7 = 30 April 1969
|term_end7 = 30 April 1969
|predecessor7 = [[Edward Short, Baron Glenamara|Edward Short]]
|predecessor7 = [[Edward Short, Baron Glenamara|Edward Short]]
|successor7 = [[Bob Mellish, Baron Mellish|Bob Mellish]]
|successor7 = [[Bob Mellish]]
|office8 = [[Treasurer of the Household]]
|office8 = [[Treasurer of the Household]]
|primeminister8 = [[Harold Wilson]]
|primeminister8 = Harold Wilson
|term_start8 = 11 April 1966
|term_start8 = 11 April 1966
|term_end8 = 4 July 1966
|term_end8 = 4 July 1966
|predecessor8 = [[Sydney Irving]]
|predecessor8 = [[Sydney Irving]]
|successor8 = [[Charles Grey (politician)|Charles Grey]]
|successor8 = [[Charles Grey (politician)|Charles Grey]]
|office9 = [[Member of Parliament (UK)|Member of Parliament]]<br>for [[Lewisham Deptford (UK Parliament constituency)|Lewisham Deptford]]<br>{{small|[[Deptford (UK Parliament constituency)|Deptford]] (1963–1974)}}
|office9 = [[Member of Parliament (UK)|Member of Parliament]]<br>for [[Lewisham Deptford]]<br>{{small|[[Deptford (UK Parliament constituency)|Deptford]] (1963–1974)}}
|term_start9 = 4 July 1963
|term_start9 = 4 July 1963
|term_end9 = 26 April 1987
|term_end9 = 26 April 1987
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|successor9 = [[Joan Ruddock]]
|successor9 = [[Joan Ruddock]]
|birth_date = {{birth date|1923|3|18|df=y}}
|birth_date = {{birth date|1923|3|18|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[London]], [[England]]
|birth_place = London, England
|death_date = {{death date and age|1987|4|26|1923|3|18|df=y}}
|death_date = {{death date and age|1987|4|26|1923|3|18|df=y}}
|death_place = [[London]], [[England]]
|death_place = London, England
|party = [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
|party = [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]
|spouse = {{marriage|[[Rosamund John]]|1950}}
|spouse = {{marriage|[[Rosamund John]]|1950}}
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==Early life==
==Early life==
He was the third son of [[Lewis Silkin, 1st Baron Silkin]], and a younger brother of [[Samuel Silkin, Baron Silkin of Dulwich]]. He was educated at [[Dulwich College]], the [[University of Wales]] and [[Trinity Hall, Cambridge|Trinity Hall]], [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]]. Silkin served in the [[Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve]] from 1942 to 1946. He was commissioned as a [[sub-lieutenant]] in 1943, serving in the East Indies Fleet, Eastern Fleet and Pacific Fleet aboard {{HMS|King George V|41|6}} and {{HMS|Formidable|67|6}}, and ashore at Anderson, Ceylon ([[FECB]]). He was later promoted lieutenant. He was demobilised in 1946 and returned to Cambridge.
Silkin was born in London.<ref name = ODNB>{{cite ODNB|title = Silkin, John Ernest (1923–1987), lawyer and politician|last = Saville|first = John|date = 2004|doi = 10.1093/ref:odnb/39860}}</ref> He was the third son of [[Lewis Silkin, 1st Baron Silkin]], and a younger brother of [[Samuel Silkin, Baron Silkin of Dulwich]].<ref name = ODNB/> He was educated at [[Dulwich College]], the [[University of Wales]] and [[Trinity Hall, Cambridge|Trinity Hall]], [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]].<ref name = ODNB/> Silkin served in the [[Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve]] from 1942 to 1946. He was commissioned as a [[sub-lieutenant]] in 1943, serving in the East Indies Fleet, Eastern Fleet and Pacific Fleet aboard {{HMS|King George V|41|6}} and {{HMS|Formidable|67|6}}, and ashore at Anderson, Ceylon ([[FECB]]). He was later promoted lieutenant. He was demobilised in 1946 and returned to Cambridge.


Silkin was admitted as a solicitor in 1950 and worked for his father's law practice in London.
Silkin was admitted as a solicitor in 1950 and worked for his father's law practice in London.<ref name = ODNB/>


==Parliamentary career==
==Parliamentary career==
He contested the seat of [[St Marylebone (UK Parliament constituency)|St Marylebone]] for the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] at the [[1950 United Kingdom general election|1950 general election]], [[Woolwich West (UK Parliament constituency)|West Woolwich]] in [[1951 United Kingdom general election|1951]] and [[Nottingham South (UK Parliament constituency)|South Nottingham]] in [[1959 United Kingdom general election|1959]]. He served as a councillor in the [[Metropolitan Borough of St Marylebone]] (1962–63) and was elected to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] for the first time in July 1963. He served as the Labour Member of Parliament for [[Deptford (UK Parliament constituency)|Deptford]] (1963–74) and for [[Lewisham, Deptford]] (1974–87).
He contested the seat of [[St Marylebone (UK Parliament constituency)|St Marylebone]] for the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] at the [[1950 United Kingdom general election|1950 general election]], [[Woolwich West (UK Parliament constituency)|West Woolwich]] in [[1951 United Kingdom general election|1951]] and [[Nottingham South (UK Parliament constituency)|South Nottingham]] in [[1959 United Kingdom general election|1959]].<ref name = ODNB/> He served as a councillor in the [[Metropolitan Borough of St Marylebone]] (1962–1963) and was elected to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] for the first time in July 1963. He served as the Labour Member of Parliament for [[Deptford (UK Parliament constituency)|Deptford]] (1963–1974) and for [[Lewisham Deptford (UK Parliament constituency)|Lewisham, Deptford]] (1974–1987).<ref name = ODNB/>


He was appointed to the [[Privy Council]] in 1966. He served as a [[Government Chief Whip]] (1966–69) and as the [[deputy leader]] of the House of Commons (1968–69). He was appointed as the [[Minister of Public Buildings and Works]] (1969–70) and the [[Minister for Planning and Local Government]] in the [[Secretary of State for the Environment|Department for the Environment]] (1974–76). He served as the [[Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food]] (1976–79).
He was appointed to the [[Privy Council]] in 1966. He served as a [[Government Chief Whip]] (1966–1969) and as the [[deputy leader]] of the House of Commons (1968–1969). He was appointed as the [[Minister of Public Buildings and Works]] (1969–1970) and the [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing|Minister for Planning and Local Government]] in the [[Secretary of State for the Environment|Department for the Environment]] (1974–1976).<ref name = ODNB/> He served as the [[Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food]] (1976–79).<ref name = ODNB/>


In opposition, Silkin was an unsuccessful candidate in the [[1980 Labour Party (UK) leadership election|1980 Labour leadership election]] following the resignation of [[James Callaghan]] and in the deputy leadership election in 1981. He served as Opposition Spokesman on Industry (1979–80), [[Shadow Leader of the House of Commons]] (1980–83), Shadow Defence Secretary (1981–83) and the [[Dairy Industry Arbitrator]] (1986–87).
In opposition, Silkin was an unsuccessful candidate in the [[1980 Labour Party leadership election (UK)|1980 Labour leadership election]] following the resignation of [[James Callaghan]], losing to [[Michael Foot]], and in the [[1981 Labour Party deputy leadership election|deputy leadership election in 1981]], losing to incumbent [[Denis Healey]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2016/08/how-tony-benn-s-deputy-leadership-campaign-was-defeated|title=How Tony Benn's deputy leadership campaign was defeated|last=Carlton|first=Ann|date=10 August 2016|work=New Statesman}}</ref> He served as Opposition Spokesman on Industry (1979–1980), [[Shadow Leader of the House of Commons]] (1980–1983), Shadow Defence Secretary (1981–1983) and the Dairy Industry Arbitrator (1986–1987).


Silkin's publication ''Changing Battlefields: The Challenge to the Labour Party'' appeared posthumously. His papers were given to the [[Churchill Archives Centre]] by his widow in February 1990. These cover his Parliamentary and Ministerial career, as well as his other public interests, such as the [[Channel Tunnel]], the [[European Economic Community]] and the dairy industry. There is material of particular interest concerning his relationship with his [[Constituency Labour Party]] in [[Deptford]] and on the Labour Party Leadership and Deputy Leadership Elections in 1980 and 1981.
Silkin's publication ''Changing Battlefields: The Challenge to the Labour Party'' appeared posthumously. His widow gave his papers to the [[Churchill Archives Centre]] in February 1990. These cover his parliamentary and ministerial career, as well as his other public interests, such as the [[Channel Tunnel]], the [[European Economic Community]] and the dairy industry. There is material of particular interest concerning his relationship with his [[Constituency Labour Party]] in [[Deptford]] and on the Labour Party's 1980 leadership and 1981 deputy leadership elections.


==Family==
==Personal life==
In 1950, Silkin married actress [[Rosamund John]].<ref name = ODNB/> They had one son.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=1987-04-28|title=John Silkin Dies in London; Was Labor Cabinet Minister|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/28/obituaries/john-silkin-dies-in-london-was-labor-cabinet-minister.html|access-date=2022-02-13|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
He was married to the actress [[Rosamund John]] from 1950 until his death in 1987. Their son Rory L. F. Silkin was born in 1954.

On 26 April 1987, Silkin died from a heart attack at his home in London.<ref name = ODNB/>


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{Hansard-contribs | hon-john-silkin | John Silkin }}
* {{Hansard-contribs | hon-john-silkin | John Silkin }}
* [https://archivesearch.lib.cam.ac.uk/repositories/9/resources/1842 The Papers of John Ernest Silkin] held at [[Churchill Archives Centre]]
* [http://janus.lib.cam.ac.uk/db/node.xsp?id=EAD%2FGBR%2F0014%2FSLKN;recurse=1 Silkin's papers, from the Library of the University of Cambridge]

* https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=7_2TA7ptsvYC&pg=PT114&dq=John+Silkin+left-wing&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CFAQ6AEwCGoVChMIlZKY2quayAIVhzgaCh1OIAMo#v=onepage&q=John%20Silkin%20left-wing&f=false
== References ==
{{reflist}}


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
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|-
|-
{{s-new|constituency}}
{{s-new|constituency}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br>for [[Lewisham Deptford (UK Parliament constituency)|Lewisham Deptford]]|years=[[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|1974]]–[[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br>for [[Lewisham Deptford]]|years=[[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|1974]]–[[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Joan Ruddock]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Joan Ruddock]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Sydney Irving]]}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Sydney Irving]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief Whip|Deputy Chief Whip]] of the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]|years=1966}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Deputy Chief Whip]] of the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]|years=1966}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Charles Grey (politician)|Charles Grey]]}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Charles Grey (politician)|Charles Grey]]}}
|-
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{{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Edward Short, Baron Glenamara|Edward Short]]}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Edward Short, Baron Glenamara|Edward Short]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief Whip]] of the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]|years=1966–1969}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief Whip]] of the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]|years=1966–1969}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Bob Mellish, Baron Mellish|Bob Mellish]]}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Bob Mellish]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-ttl|title=[[Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury]]|years=1966–1969}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury]]|years=1966–1969}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Bob Mellish, Baron Mellish|Bob Mellish]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Bob Mellish]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[First Commissioner of Works|Minister of State for Public Buildings and Works]]|years=1969–1970}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[First Commissioner of Works|Minister of State for Public Buildings and Works]]|years=1969–1970}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Julian Amery]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Julian Amery]]}}
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{{s-non|reason=Position abolished}}
{{s-non|reason=Position abolished}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Fred Peart, Baron Peart|Fred Peart]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Fred Peart]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food|Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food]]|years=1976–1979}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food|Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food]]|years=1976–1979}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Peter Walker, Baron Walker of Worcester|Peter Walker]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Peter Walker, Baron Walker of Worcester|Peter Walker]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Eric Varley]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Eric Varley]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills|Shadow Secretary of State for Industry]]|years=1979–1980}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Shadow Secretary of State for Industry]]|years=1979–1980}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Stanley Orme, Baron Orme|Stanley Orme]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Stanley Orme]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Michael Foot]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Michael Foot]]}}
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|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Edward Short, Baron Glenamara|Edward Short]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Edward Short, Baron Glenamara|Edward Short]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief Whip of the Labour Party|Labour Chief Whip]] of the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]|years=1966–1969}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Labour Chief Whip]] of the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]|years=1966–1969}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Bob Mellish, Baron Mellish|Bob Mellish]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Bob Mellish]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


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{{Second Wilson Ministry}}
{{Second Wilson Ministry}}
{{Callaghan Ministry}}
{{Callaghan Ministry}}
{{Labour Party leadership election, 1980}}
{{Labour Party deputy leadership election, 1981}}
{{Labour Party deputy leadership election, 1981}}
{{Abortion in the United Kingdom}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:Alumni of the University of Wales]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Wales]]
[[Category:Alumni of Trinity Hall, Cambridge]]
[[Category:Alumni of Trinity Hall, Cambridge]]
[[Category:Democratic socialists]]
[[Category:European democratic socialists]]
[[Category:English Jews]]
[[Category:English people of Lithuanian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies]]
[[Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
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[[Category:Younger sons of barons]]
[[Category:Jewish British politicians]]
[[Category:Jewish British politicians]]
[[Category:Ministers in the Wilson governments, 1964–1970]]

Revision as of 00:42, 29 September 2024

This article is about the politician. For the poet, see Jon Silkin.

The Right Honourable
John Silkin
MP
Silkin in 1979
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
In office
24 November 1981 – 26 October 1984
LeaderMichael Foot
Neil Kinnock
Preceded byBrynmor John
Succeeded byDenzil Davies
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
In office
8 December 1980 – 30 October 1983
LeaderMichael Foot
Preceded byMichael Foot
Succeeded byPeter Shore
Shadow Secretary of State for Industry
In office
14 July 1979 – 8 December 1980
LeaderJim Callaghan
Preceded byEric Varley
Succeeded byStanley Orme
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
In office
10 September 1976 – 4 May 1979
Prime MinisterJim Callaghan
Preceded byFred Peart
Succeeded byPeter Walker
Minister of State for Local Government and Planning
In office
7 March 1974 – 10 September 1976
Prime MinisterHarold Wilson
Jim Callaghan
Preceded byGraham Page (Local Government and Development)
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Services
In office
24 March 1972 – 5 March 1974
LeaderHarold Wilson
Preceded byBarbara Castle
Succeeded byKeith Joseph
Minister of Public Buildings and Works
In office
30 April 1969 – 19 June 1970
Prime MinisterHarold Wilson
Preceded byBob Mellish
Succeeded byJulian Amery
Government Chief Whip in the House of Commons
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury
In office
4 July 1966 – 30 April 1969
Prime MinisterHarold Wilson
Preceded byEdward Short
Succeeded byBob Mellish
Treasurer of the Household
In office
11 April 1966 – 4 July 1966
Prime MinisterHarold Wilson
Preceded bySydney Irving
Succeeded byCharles Grey
Member of Parliament
for Lewisham Deptford
Deptford (1963–1974)
In office
4 July 1963 – 26 April 1987
Preceded byLeslie Plummer
Succeeded byJoan Ruddock
Personal details
Born(1923-03-18)18 March 1923
London, England
Died26 April 1987(1987-04-26) (aged 64)
London, England
Political partyLabour
Spouse
​
(m. 1950)​
Alma materUniversity of Wales
Trinity Hall, Cambridge

John Ernest Silkin (18 March 1923 – 26 April 1987) was a British left-wing Labour politician and solicitor.

Early life

Silkin was born in London.[1] He was the third son of Lewis Silkin, 1st Baron Silkin, and a younger brother of Samuel Silkin, Baron Silkin of Dulwich.[1] He was educated at Dulwich College, the University of Wales and Trinity Hall, Cambridge.[1] Silkin served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve from 1942 to 1946. He was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in 1943, serving in the East Indies Fleet, Eastern Fleet and Pacific Fleet aboard HMS King George V and HMS Formidable, and ashore at Anderson, Ceylon (FECB). He was later promoted lieutenant. He was demobilised in 1946 and returned to Cambridge.

Silkin was admitted as a solicitor in 1950 and worked for his father's law practice in London.[1]

Parliamentary career

He contested the seat of St Marylebone for the Labour Party at the 1950 general election, West Woolwich in 1951 and South Nottingham in 1959.[1] He served as a councillor in the Metropolitan Borough of St Marylebone (1962–1963) and was elected to the House of Commons for the first time in July 1963. He served as the Labour Member of Parliament for Deptford (1963–1974) and for Lewisham, Deptford (1974–1987).[1]

He was appointed to the Privy Council in 1966. He served as a Government Chief Whip (1966–1969) and as the deputy leader of the House of Commons (1968–1969). He was appointed as the Minister of Public Buildings and Works (1969–1970) and the Minister for Planning and Local Government in the Department for the Environment (1974–1976).[1] He served as the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1976–79).[1]

In opposition, Silkin was an unsuccessful candidate in the 1980 Labour leadership election following the resignation of James Callaghan, losing to Michael Foot, and in the deputy leadership election in 1981, losing to incumbent Denis Healey.[2] He served as Opposition Spokesman on Industry (1979–1980), Shadow Leader of the House of Commons (1980–1983), Shadow Defence Secretary (1981–1983) and the Dairy Industry Arbitrator (1986–1987).

Silkin's publication Changing Battlefields: The Challenge to the Labour Party appeared posthumously. His widow gave his papers to the Churchill Archives Centre in February 1990. These cover his parliamentary and ministerial career, as well as his other public interests, such as the Channel Tunnel, the European Economic Community and the dairy industry. There is material of particular interest concerning his relationship with his Constituency Labour Party in Deptford and on the Labour Party's 1980 leadership and 1981 deputy leadership elections.

Personal life

In 1950, Silkin married actress Rosamund John.[1] They had one son.[3]

On 26 April 1987, Silkin died from a heart attack at his home in London.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Saville, John (2004). "Silkin, John Ernest (1923–1987), lawyer and politician". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/39860. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. ^ Carlton, Ann (10 August 2016). "How Tony Benn's deputy leadership campaign was defeated". New Statesman.
  3. ^ "John Silkin Dies in London; Was Labor Cabinet Minister". The New York Times. Associated Press. 28 April 1987. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Deptford
1963–1974 		Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament
for Lewisham Deptford
1974–1987 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Commons
1966 		Succeeded by
Treasurer of the Household
1966
Preceded by Chief Whip of the House of Commons
1966–1969 		Succeeded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury
1966–1969
Preceded by Minister of State for Public Buildings and Works
1969–1970 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Services
1972–1974 		Succeeded by
Preceded byas Minister of State for Local Government and Development Minister of State for Local Government and Planning
1974–1976 		Position abolished
Preceded by Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
1976–1979 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Secretary of State for Industry
1979–1980 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
1980–1983 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
1981–1984 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Labour Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Commons
1966 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Labour Chief Whip of the House of Commons
1966–1969 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=John_Silkin&oldid=1248344067"