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{{Short description|British politician (1918–2003)}}
{{Other people|Richard Wainwright}}
{{Other people|Richard Wainwright}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{More inline|date=July 2022}}
[[File:Richard_Wainwright.jpg|thumb|right|Richard Wainwright]]
{{infobox officeholder
'''Richard Scurrah Wainwright''' (11 April 1918 – 16 January 2003) was a [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal]] [[Member of Parliament|MP]] for [[Colne Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Colne Valley]] 1966–70, and February 1974-87.
|name = Richard Wainwright
|image = Richard Wainwright.jpg
|caption = {{circa|1950s–1960s}}
|office = Chairman of the [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Party]]
|term_start = 1970
|term_end = 1972
|predecessor = [[Desmond Banks]]
|successor = [[Cyril Carr]]
|parliament1 = United Kingdom
|constituency_MP1 = [[Colne Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Colne Valley]]
|term_start1 = 28 February 1974
|term_end1 = 18 May 1987
|predecessor1 = [[David Clark, Baron Clark of Windermere|David Clark]]
|successor1 = [[Graham Riddick]]
|term_start2 = 31 March 1966
|term_end2 = 29 May 1970
|predecessor2 = [[Patrick Duffy (British politician)|Patrick Duffy]]
|successor2 = David Clark
|birth_name = Richard Scurrah Wainwright
|birth_date = {{birth date|1918|4|18|df=yes}}
|birth_place = [[Leeds]], England
|death_date = {{death date and age|2003|1|16|1918|4|18|df=yes}}
|death_place = Leeds, England
|party = [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal]] (before 1988)<br>[[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] (after 1988)
|spouse = {{marriage|Joyce Hollis|1948}}
|children = 4, including [[Martin Wainwright (journalist)|Martin]] and [[Hilary Wainwright|Hilary]]
|education = [[Shrewsbury School]]<br>[[Clare College, Cambridge]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
}}
'''Richard Scurrah Wainwright''' (11 April 1918 – 16 January 2003) was a British politician of the [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Party]]. He was the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] for [[Colne Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Colne Valley]] from 1966 to 1970, and again from 1974 to 1987.


==Early life and education==
==Education==
Wainwright was educated at [[Shrewsbury School]] and then won an open scholarship to [[Clare College, Cambridge]] (BA [[History]], 1938). While studying for his degree he developed his interest in the Liberal Party, as a member of the [[Cambridge University Liberal Club]].
Wainwright was born in [[Leeds]].<ref name=Independent>{{cite news|last=Barnes|first=John|title=Obituary: Richard Wainwright|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/richard-wainwright-36231.html|accessdate=15 February 2011|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=29 April 2021}}</ref> He was educated at [[Shrewsbury School]]<ref name=Guardian>{{cite news|last=Meadowcroft | first=Michael | author-link=Michael Meadowcroft | title=Obituary: Richard Wainwright | url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/jan/17/guardianobituaries.liberaldemocrats | accessdate=15 February 2011 | newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | date=29 April 2021}}</ref> He then won an open scholarship to [[Clare College, Cambridge]]<ref name = Independent/> (BA [[History]], 1938). While studying for his degree he developed his interest in the Liberal Party, as a member of the [[Cambridge University Liberal Club]].


==Early life and career==
==Early career==
After leaving university he became a Merchant Banker, but later left the profession to focus on his political aspirations. During [[World War II]], he registered as a [[conscientious objector]] and joined the [[Friends' Ambulance Unit]], a [[Religious Society of Friends|Quaker]] organisation, serving in [[Normandy]] in 1944, and [[Antwerp]] the [[Netherlands]] and [[Germany]] in 1944-46.
After leaving university he became a Merchant Banker, but later left the profession to focus on his political aspirations. During [[World War II]], he registered as a [[conscientious objector]] and joined the [[Friends' Ambulance Unit]], a [[Religious Society of Friends|Quaker]] organisation, serving in [[Normandy]] in 1944, and [[Antwerp]] the [[Netherlands]] and [[Germany]] in 1944–46.


==Parliamentary career==
==Parliamentary career==
Wainwright stood as the Liberal Party candidate for the constituency of [[Pudsey (UK Parliament constituency)|Pudsey]] in the [[United Kingdom general election, 1950|general election of 1950]] and again in [[United Kingdom general election, 1955|1955]], but was unsuccessful on both occasions. In 1956 he became the Liberal candidate for [[Colne Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Colne Valley]]. Standing there as a Liberal in [[United Kingdom general election, 1959|1959]], the [[Colne Valley by-election, 1963|1963 by-election]], and [[United Kingdom general election, 1964|1964]], he increased his vote each time until he finally gained the seat in [[United Kingdom general election, 1966|1966]]. At the [[United Kingdom general election, 1970|following election in 1970]] he was defeated by [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour's]] [[David Clark, Baron Clark of Windermere|David Clark]], but re-gained the seat at the [[United Kingdom general election, February 1974|February 1974 election]]. He retained his seat until his retirement at the [[United Kingdom general election, 1987|1987 general election]].
Wainwright stood as the Liberal Party candidate for the constituency of [[Pudsey (UK Parliament constituency)|Pudsey]] in the [[1950 United Kingdom general election|general election of 1950]] and again in [[1955 United Kingdom general election|1955]], but was unsuccessful on both occasions. In 1956 he became the Liberal candidate for [[Colne Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Colne Valley]]. Standing there as a Liberal in [[1959 United Kingdom general election|1959]], the [[1963 Colne Valley by-election|1963 by-election]], and [[1964 United Kingdom general election|1964]], he increased his vote each time until he finally gained the seat in [[1966 United Kingdom general election|1966]]. At the [[1970 United Kingdom general election|following election in 1970]] he was defeated by the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]'s [[David Clark, Baron Clark of Windermere|David Clark]] but regained the seat at the [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|February 1974 election]]. He retained his seat until his retirement at the [[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987 general election]].


In 1953, Wainwright was elected to the executive of the Liberal Party, and served as party Chairman between 1970 and 1972. His particular areas of interest were employment, trade and public finance. From 1961 he concentrated his work at Liberal headquarters on local government. He was a central spokesman for the Liberal Party on finance (representing his party on the Finance Bill Committee in 1968), trade and industry, the economy (1966–1970; 1979–1985) and employment (1985–1987). He was Chairman of the Liberal Party Research Department (1968–70). After 1974 Wainwright focused on the financial management of the party.
In 1953, Wainwright was elected to the executive of the Liberal Party and served as its Chairman between 1970 and 1972. His particular areas of interest were employment, trade and public finance. From 1961 he concentrated his work at Liberal headquarters on local government. He was a central spokesman for the Liberal Party on finance and represented his party on the Finance Bill Committee in 1968, trade and industry, the economy (1966–1970, 1979–1985) and employment (1985–1987). He was the chairman of the Liberal Party Research Department (1968–1970). After 1974 Wainwright focused on the financial management of the party.


==Outside Parliament==
==Outside Parliament==
After 1987, although retired as an MP, Wainwright continued to be politically active, working for the [[Electoral Reform Society]], as well as being a founding member of the executive committee of [[Charter 88]]. Between 1986 and 1997 he was also Deputy Chairman of the Wider Share Ownership Council. When the Liberal Party merged with the [[Social Democratic Party (UK)|Social Democratic Party]] to become the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]], Wainwright became a member working as President of the Yorkshire Federation of Liberal Democrats (1989–97).
After 1987, although retired as an MP, Wainwright continued to be politically active, working for the [[Electoral Reform Society]], as well as being a founding member of the executive committee of [[Charter 88]]. Between 1986 and 1997 he was also Deputy Chairman of the Wider Share Ownership Council. When the Liberal Party merged with the [[Social Democratic Party (UK)|Social Democratic Party]] to become the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]], Wainwright became a member working as President of the Yorkshire Federation of Liberal Democrats (1989–1997).

Wainwright was a [[Methodism|Methodist]] lay preacher. Between 1948 and 1958 he served on the Leeds Group B Hospital Management Committee, and was Chairman of the Arthington Hospital and Thorp Arch Hospital Committees. He served on the Committee for the Leeds, Skyrac and Morley Savings Bank Board of Managers and Leeds Library Committee. Further roles included Treasurer of the Leeds Invalid Children's Aid Society and the Bethany House Free Church Probation Home. Between 1959 and 1984 he was a member of the Joseph Rowntree Social Services Trust Limited (now the [[Rowntree trusts|Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust]]). He was also made a Fellow of the Huddersfield Polytechnic (later the [[University of Huddersfield]]) in 1988.


Wainwright was a [[Methodist]] lay preacher. Between 1948 and 1958, he served on the Leeds Group B Hospital Management Committee and was Chairman of the Arthington Hospital and Thorp Arch Hospital Committees. He served on the Committee for the Leeds, Skyrac and Morley Savings Bank Board of Managers and the Leeds Library Committee. Further roles included Treasurer of the Leeds Invalid Children's Aid Society and the Bethany House Free Church Probation Home. Between 1959 and 1984, he was a member of the Joseph Rowntree Social Services Trust Limited (now the [[Rowntree trusts|Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust]]). He was also made a Fellow of the Huddersfield Polytechnic (later the [[University of Huddersfield]]) in 1988.
==Family and Legacy==
His wife [[Joyce Wainwright|Joyce]] (née Hollis; died 4 February 2011<ref>{{cite web|title=Obituary notice: Joyce Wainwright|url=http://announce.jpress.co.uk/8269933?s_source=jpno_ypos|work=[[Yorkshire Post]]|accessdate=14 February 2011}}</ref>), whom he married in 1948,<ref>Matt Cole, ''Richard Wainwright, the Liberals and Liberal Democrats: Unfinished Business'' (Manchester University Press, 2011), p. 40</ref> was an active member of the Yorkshire Women's Liberal Federation, fulfilling roles as both Chairman and President, and Chairman of the Colne Valley Women's Liberal Council (1959–1987). She was also a member of the Executive of the national [[Women's Liberal Federation]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Joyce Wainwright: Obituary|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/community/obituaries/joyce_wainwright_1_3121584|accessdate=23 March 2011|newspaper=Yorkshire Post|date=26 February 2011}}</ref>


==Personal life==
Two of his children have a public profile: his son, [[Martin Wainwright|Martin]] is a former Northern Editor of ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper and [[Hilary Wainwright]], one of his daughters, is a radical academic and editor of ''[[Red Pepper (magazine)|Red Pepper]]'' magazine.
His wife Joyce (née Hollis; died 4 February 2011<ref>{{cite web|title=Obituary notice: Joyce Wainwright|url=http://announce.jpress.co.uk/8269933?s_source=jpno_ypos|work=[[Yorkshire Post]]|accessdate=14 February 2011}}</ref>), whom he married in 1948,<ref>Matt Cole, ''Richard Wainwright, the Liberals and Liberal Democrats: Unfinished Business'' (Manchester University Press, 2011), p. 40</ref> was an active member of the Yorkshire Women's Liberal Federation, fulfilling roles as both Chairman and President, and Chairman of the Colne Valley Women's Liberal Council (1959–1987). She was also a member of the Executive of the national [[Women's Liberal Federation]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Joyce Wainwright: Obituary|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/community/obituaries/joyce_wainwright_1_3121584|accessdate=23 March 2011|newspaper=Yorkshire Post|date=26 February 2011}}</ref> The couple had four children,<ref name = Independent/> two of whom entered public life: their son [[Martin Wainwright (journalist)|Martin]] is a former Northern Editor of ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper, and their daughter [[Hilary Wainwright|Hilary]] is a radical academic and editor of ''[[Red Pepper (magazine)|Red Pepper]]'' magazine.


The offices of Liberal Democrat MP for [[Leeds North West]] [[Greg Mulholland]] are named 'Richard Wainwright House' in his honour.
Wainwright died in Leeds on 16 January 2003, aged 84.<ref name = Independent/> The former offices of [[Greg Mulholland]], who was Liberal Democrat MP for [[Leeds North West]] from 2005 to 2017, were named 'Richard Wainwright House' in his honour.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
*{{cite book | last=Cole | first=Matt | title=Richard Wainwright, the Liberals and Liberal Democrats: Unfinished Business | isbn=978-0-7190-8253-5 | year= 2011 | publisher=[[Manchester University Press]] | pages=256}}
* {{cite book | last=Cole | first=Matt | title=Richard Wainwright, the Liberals and Liberal Democrats: Unfinished Business | isbn=978-0-7190-8253-5 | year= 2011 | publisher=[[Manchester University Press]] | pages=256}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.ku.edu/carrie/specoll/AFS/library/4-ww2/Friends/fau12.html Account of the Friend's Ambulance Unit covering the period of Richard Wainwright's service in North-West Europe.]
* [http://www.ku.edu/carrie/specoll/AFS/library/4-ww2/Friends/fau12.html Account of the Friend's Ambulance Unit covering the period of Richard Wainwright's service in North-West Europe.]
*[https://www.theguardian.com/g2/story/0,,1549119,00.html Martin Wainwright] recounts his father and family choosing to give refuge to a displaced Ugandan Asian family in 1972 (Guardian, 15 August 2005)
* [https://www.theguardian.com/g2/story/0,,1549119,00.html Martin Wainwright] recounts his father and family choosing to give refuge to a displaced Ugandan Asian family in 1972 (Guardian, 15 August 2005)
*[http://archives.lse.ac.uk/TreeBrowse.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&field=RefNo&key=WAINWRIGHT%20R Papers of Richard Wainwright at LSE Archives]
* [http://archives.lse.ac.uk/TreeBrowse.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&field=RefNo&key=WAINWRIGHT%20R Papers of Richard Wainwright at LSE Archives]
<!-- 3 obits which could be used as sources to expand/reference this article -->
<!-- 3 obits which could be used as sources to expand/reference this article -->
*{{cite news|last=Barnes|first=John|title=Obituary: Richard Wainwright|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/richard-wainwright-730011.html|accessdate=15 February 2011|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=5 Feb 2003}}
* {{cite news|last=Meadowcroft | first=Michael | authorlink=Michael Meadowcroft | title=Obituary: Richard Wainwright | url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/jan/17/guardianobituaries.liberaldemocrats | accessdate=15 February 2011 | newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | date=17 January 2003}}
*{{cite news|last=Meadowcroft | first=Michael | authorlink=Michael Meadowcroft | title=Obituary: Richard Wainwright | url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/jan/17/guardianobituaries.liberaldemocrats | accessdate=15 February 2011 | newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | date=17 January 2003}}
* {{cite news| title=Obituary: Richard Wainwright | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1419184/Richard-Wainwright.html | accessdate=15 February 2011 | newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] | date=18 January 2003}}
*{{cite news| title=Obituary: Richard Wainwright | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1419184/Richard-Wainwright.html | accessdate=15 February 2011 | newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] | date=18 January 2003}}


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{{succession box
| title = [[Member of Parliament]] for [[Colne Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Colne Valley]]
| title = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Colne Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Colne Valley]]
| years = [[United Kingdom general election, 1966|1966]]–[[United Kingdom general election, 1970|1970]]
| years = [[1966 United Kingdom general election|1966]]–[[1970 United Kingdom general election|1970]]
| before = [[Patrick Duffy (British politician)|Patrick Duffy]]
| before = [[Patrick Duffy (British politician)|Patrick Duffy]]
| after = [[David Clark, Baron Clark of Windermere|David Clark]]
| after = [[David Clark, Baron Clark of Windermere|David Clark]]
}}
}}
{{succession box
{{succession box
| title = [[Member of Parliament]] for [[Colne Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Colne Valley]]
| title = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Colne Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Colne Valley]]
| years = [[United Kingdom general election, February 1974|Feb 1974]]–[[United Kingdom general election, 1987|1987]]
| years = [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|Feb 1974]]–[[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987]]
| before = [[David Clark, Baron Clark of Windermere|David Clark]]
| before = [[David Clark, Baron Clark of Windermere|David Clark]]
| after = [[Graham Riddick]]
| after = [[Graham Riddick]]
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[[Category:People associated with the Friends' Ambulance Unit]]
[[Category:People educated at Shrewsbury School]]
[[Category:People educated at Shrewsbury School]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1966–70]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1966–1970]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1974]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1974]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1974–79]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1974–1979]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1979–83]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1979–1983]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1983–87]]
[[Category:UK MPs 1983–1987]]
[[Category:Politicians from Leeds]]

Latest revision as of 07:16, 18 November 2024

Richard Wainwright
c. 1950s–1960s
Chairman of the Liberal Party
In office
1970–1972
Preceded byDesmond Banks
Succeeded byCyril Carr
Member of Parliament
for Colne Valley
In office
28 February 1974 – 18 May 1987
Preceded byDavid Clark
Succeeded byGraham Riddick
In office
31 March 1966 – 29 May 1970
Preceded byPatrick Duffy
Succeeded byDavid Clark
Personal details
Born
Richard Scurrah Wainwright

(1918-04-18)18 April 1918
Leeds, England
Died16 January 2003(2003-01-16) (aged 84)
Leeds, England
Political partyLiberal (before 1988)
Liberal Democrats (after 1988)
Spouse
Joyce Hollis
(m. 1948)
Children4, including Martin and Hilary
EducationShrewsbury School
Clare College, Cambridge (BA)

Richard Scurrah Wainwright (11 April 1918 – 16 January 2003) was a British politician of the Liberal Party. He was the MP for Colne Valley from 1966 to 1970, and again from 1974 to 1987.

Early life and education

[edit]

Wainwright was born in Leeds.[1] He was educated at Shrewsbury School[2] He then won an open scholarship to Clare College, Cambridge[1] (BA History, 1938). While studying for his degree he developed his interest in the Liberal Party, as a member of the Cambridge University Liberal Club.

Early career

[edit]

After leaving university he became a Merchant Banker, but later left the profession to focus on his political aspirations. During World War II, he registered as a conscientious objector and joined the Friends' Ambulance Unit, a Quaker organisation, serving in Normandy in 1944, and Antwerp the Netherlands and Germany in 1944–46.

Parliamentary career

[edit]

Wainwright stood as the Liberal Party candidate for the constituency of Pudsey in the general election of 1950 and again in 1955, but was unsuccessful on both occasions. In 1956 he became the Liberal candidate for Colne Valley. Standing there as a Liberal in 1959, the 1963 by-election, and 1964, he increased his vote each time until he finally gained the seat in 1966. At the following election in 1970 he was defeated by the Labour Party's David Clark but regained the seat at the February 1974 election. He retained his seat until his retirement at the 1987 general election.

In 1953, Wainwright was elected to the executive of the Liberal Party and served as its Chairman between 1970 and 1972. His particular areas of interest were employment, trade and public finance. From 1961 he concentrated his work at Liberal headquarters on local government. He was a central spokesman for the Liberal Party on finance and represented his party on the Finance Bill Committee in 1968, trade and industry, the economy (1966–1970, 1979–1985) and employment (1985–1987). He was the chairman of the Liberal Party Research Department (1968–1970). After 1974 Wainwright focused on the financial management of the party.

Outside Parliament

[edit]

After 1987, although retired as an MP, Wainwright continued to be politically active, working for the Electoral Reform Society, as well as being a founding member of the executive committee of Charter 88. Between 1986 and 1997 he was also Deputy Chairman of the Wider Share Ownership Council. When the Liberal Party merged with the Social Democratic Party to become the Liberal Democrats, Wainwright became a member working as President of the Yorkshire Federation of Liberal Democrats (1989–1997).

Wainwright was a Methodist lay preacher. Between 1948 and 1958, he served on the Leeds Group B Hospital Management Committee and was Chairman of the Arthington Hospital and Thorp Arch Hospital Committees. He served on the Committee for the Leeds, Skyrac and Morley Savings Bank Board of Managers and the Leeds Library Committee. Further roles included Treasurer of the Leeds Invalid Children's Aid Society and the Bethany House Free Church Probation Home. Between 1959 and 1984, he was a member of the Joseph Rowntree Social Services Trust Limited (now the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust). He was also made a Fellow of the Huddersfield Polytechnic (later the University of Huddersfield) in 1988.

Personal life

[edit]

His wife Joyce (née Hollis; died 4 February 2011[3]), whom he married in 1948,[4] was an active member of the Yorkshire Women's Liberal Federation, fulfilling roles as both Chairman and President, and Chairman of the Colne Valley Women's Liberal Council (1959–1987). She was also a member of the Executive of the national Women's Liberal Federation.[5] The couple had four children,[1] two of whom entered public life: their son Martin is a former Northern Editor of The Guardian newspaper, and their daughter Hilary is a radical academic and editor of Red Pepper magazine.

Wainwright died in Leeds on 16 January 2003, aged 84.[1] The former offices of Greg Mulholland, who was Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West from 2005 to 2017, were named 'Richard Wainwright House' in his honour.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Barnes, John (29 April 2021). "Obituary: Richard Wainwright". The Independent. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  2. ^ Meadowcroft, Michael (29 April 2021). "Obituary: Richard Wainwright". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  3. ^ "Obituary notice: Joyce Wainwright". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  4. ^ Matt Cole, Richard Wainwright, the Liberals and Liberal Democrats: Unfinished Business (Manchester University Press, 2011), p. 40
  5. ^ "Joyce Wainwright: Obituary". Yorkshire Post. 26 February 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2011.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Colne Valley
19661970
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Colne Valley
Feb 19741987
Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Chairman of the Liberal Party
1970–1972
Succeeded by