DrEml J. Graham Jones examinesyn the career of Emlyn HooHooson, a respected Liberal MPs for Montgomeryshireon 1962–1979, (1925 later a prominent Liberal Democrat peer, – and Welsh public2012) figure and businessman.

mlyn Hugh Hooson was Air Arm) from 1943 until 1946. He club within the university college, born on 26 March 1925, the then became a student at the Uni- and he also acted as joint-editor Eson of Hugh and Elsie Hoo- versity College of , Aberyst- of the magazine The New Radi- son of Colomendy, Denbighshire, wyth, where he graduated in law cal. Hooson was also awarded uni- to a notable local family, well in 1949 and also served as president versity colours in boxing and he known in their locality. He was of the college’s thriving debating played for his university college educated at Denbigh Grammar union. Whilst at Aberystwyth he in soccer and rugby football. (He School. Hooson, operating on a helped to reform the University was, years later, to be appointed corvette in the north Atlantic, had College Liberal Society, which a Professorial Fellow of Aberyst- served in the Royal Navy (Fleet soon became the strongest political wyth University in 1997).

30 Journal of Liberal History 86 Spring 2015 DrEml J. Graham Jones examinesyn the career of Emlyn HooHooson, a respected Liberal MPs for Montgomeryshireon 1962–1979, (1925 later a prominent Liberal Democrat peer, – and Welsh public2012) figure and businessman.

In 1950 he married Shirley Mar- of 1966. In December 1965 Hoo- Shoeburyness to Pembrey, near garet Wynne Hamer, the daughter son had been appointed to lead Ian Carmarthen. Local Liberals, who of Sir George Hamer CBE of Lla- Brady’s defence; Brady was charged hotly opposed the plan, were nidloes, a prominent and influential with murdering Lesley Anne aghast. In February 1974, he had to figure in the locality and a power- Downey (10), John Kilbride (12) and pull out of a lucrative two-month ful Liberal in the politics of Mont- Edward Evans (17), (Myra Hind- bank robbery case at the Old Bailey gomeryshire where he served as ley was also charged with killing when Edward Heath called a snap its Lord Lieutenant. There were to Lesley Anne and John). When the election. He was the deputy chair- be two daughters of the marriage, trial opened the following April, man of the Flintshire Quarter Ses- Sioned and Lowri, both educated at the evidence left Hooson little to sions, 1960–72, deputy chairman the Welsh School at London, where work with. Brady admitted having of the Merionethshire Quarter Ses- their father became the chairman wielded the axe against Evans, and sions, 1960–67, and then its chair- of the governing body. There were although Hooson insisted there was man, 1967–72. He was appointed also in due course to be two grand- only the ‘flimsiest evidence’ against Recorder of Merthyr Tydfil early children. Emlyn Hooson was a His especial him over the deaths of the two in 1971 and Recorder of Swansea native and natural Welsh speaker, children, Brady and Hindley were in July of the same year. He was and a fervent supporter of Welsh strengths convicted on all counts and sen- elected Leader of the Wales and causes and the national rights of tenced to life imprisonment; Brady Chester Circuit, 1971–74. Wales, including devolutionary ini- before a remains behind bars. Having first been adopted as tiatives, throughout his life. Emlyn Hooson became ever the Liberal candidate for Lloyd Hooson was called to the Bar judge and more convinced that the death pen- George’s old seat, the Carnarvon at Grays Inn in 1949, and was alty would not have deterred the Boroughs (which was then abol- appointed QC in 1960 at the age of jury were the Moors Murderers. When in the ished by the Boundary Commis- just 35, the youngest such appoint- autumn of 1967, three years after its sioners in 1950), Emlyn Hooson had ment for decades, and one of the thorough- abolition, Duncan Sandys moved already contested Conway unsuc- youngest ever. (He subsequently to reintroduce it because of a sharp cessfully for the party in the general became a bencher of Grays Inn ness of his increase in murder convictions, elections of both 1950, when he lost in 1968, and served as vice-treas- Hooson told him this was because to the Labour candidate, and 1951, urer there in 1985, and treasurer in preparation, juries were now readier to convict when he was defeated by a Con- 1986). At the Bar, Hooson earned a for murder given that the death servative. On both occasions he reputation as a cool, clear thinker the clarity penalty no longer existed. Other- came third. He played little part in and lucid advocate. His especial wise, Hooson was generally a legal the 1955 general election campaign, strengths before a judge and jury and sharp- conservative who did not favour but did speak at some Liberal meet- were the thoroughness of his prepa- sweeping changes in the British ings during the 1959 campaign. ration, the clarity and sharpness of ness of his legal system. He opposed the intro- Then, doubtless with his father- his arguments, and his ability to get arguments, duction of majority verdicts and, in in-law’s ready assistance, he had to the heart of any legal argument the Lords, he resisted far-reaching become the anointed heir for Mont- – together with his persuasive, and his abil- reforms proposed by the Conserva- gomeryshire, the seat held ever attractive personality and unfailing tive Lord Chancellor, Lord Mac- since 1929 by the former Liberal eloquence. ity to get to kay, fearing they would undermine Party leader, E. . As QC, Hooson represented the independence of the judiciary When the Montgomeryshire Lib- Ian Brady, one of the ‘Moors Mur- the heart and the Bar. eral Association had invited nomi- derers‘ along with Myra Hindley, In 1970 Hooson appeared for nations for the vacancy in July 1960 when Brady was tried and con- of any legal the Ministry of Defence at a pub- (a course of events which had not victed on three murder charges at lic inquiry over plans to move occurred in the county since 1927), Chester Crown Court in the spring argument. its experimental range from no fewer than seventeen names

Journal of Liberal History 86 Spring 2015 31 emlyn hooson (1925–2012) had come to hand. This was later He had tre- Labour government elected in party which was wholly Westmin- reduced to a short-list of just three October 1964, and he imagina- ster focused. Other Welsh Liber- – Stanley Clement-Davies (the only bled the tively depicted a distinct future for als, Emlyn Hooson among them, surviving child of the sitting MP the Liberal Party as ‘a radical, non- rejoiced that the deeply cherished for the county), Lt Colonel Patrick Liberals’ Socialist party in Britain’. Hooson dream of Lloyd George for Cymru Lort-Phillips, and Emlyn Hooson. was not wholly welcoming to the Fydd in the 1890s had at long last The withdrawal of the first named majority new Wilson government, demand- become a reality with the creation on grounds of ill health led to the ing that they should abandon steel of a single . selection of Hooson whose politi- in the by- nationalisation. But he backed the During the 1960s, Hooson was cal and professional pedigree was Labour left-winger Sydney Silver- very conscious of a seemingly impeccable. Welsh speaking and election, at man’s effort to abolish capital pun- ever more menacing involved in an array of Welsh lan- ishment, on the basis of the score challenge. On 1 March 1967 he guage cultural activities, profes- a stroke dis- of capital cases in which he had introduced in the House of Com- sionally accomplished as a lawyer, been involved (including that of mons a Government of Wales Bill, the son of rural Denbighshire, pelling the Ian Brady who, as already noted, which proposed an all-Wales Sen- and chairman of the Welsh Lib- remains behind bars to this very ate of eighty-eight members. He eral organisation since 1956, he widely held day). also introduced in the Commons had received the fulsome blessing local myth Subsequently, as a warm a succession of measures to tackle of Clement Davies. Moreover, he admirer of Lyndon Johnson’s Appa- depopulation, and various bills in had earned his spurs in the Conway (believed lachian Bill in the USA, Emlyn support of the Welsh language. He constituency in the general elec- Hooson devoted his energies to resolutely refused to countenance tions of 1950 and 1951 when he had by all three preparing a Liberal economic any kind of agreement or electoral much impressed local Liberals.1 plan for Wales. He was also much pact with Plaid Cymru. Hooson the Hooson was elected Liberal MP local parties involved in the negotiations which QC defended nationalists accused for Montgomeryshire following a preceded the setting up in Septem- of terrorism, but Hooson the poli- keenly contested by-election cam- in the con- ber 1966 of the independent Welsh tician trenchantly opposed ‘Welsh paign in May 1962 caused by the Liberal Party, a step which he extremism’. In 1968 he demanded death of Clement Davies. Local stituency) applauded with gusto, and he then concerted action to halt Welsh ter- farmers proudly carried him shoul- served devotedly as chairman of rorists after a series of bombings. der-high through Welshpool fol- that Clem- the new party right through until After twelve Welsh students were lowing his dramatic victory at the 1979. Emlyn Hooson certainly jailed in 1970 for invading a High polls. His initial majority there was ent Davies occupied a quite distinctive niche Court case in London, Hooson said a surprisingly high 7,549 votes. He within the Welsh and British politi- the Welsh were fed up with peo- had trebled the Liberals’ majority had been the cal spectrum. Following the setting ple who broke the law then whined in the by-election, at a stroke dis- up of the quasi-independent Welsh about the consequences. pelling the widely held local myth beneficiary Liberal Party, he was described by He had meanwhile, still politi- (believed by all three local parties one political commentator the fol- cally ambitious, stood unsuccess- in the constituency) that Clement of a most lowing spring at Westminster as fully against and Davies had been the beneficiary of substantial ‘a kind of one-man parliamentary Eric Lubbock for the party leader- a most substantial personal vote in party like Mr Gwynfor Evans, the ship in January 1967 following Jo Montgomeryshire. personal solitary Welsh Nationalist at West- Grimond’s retirement. Defeat on During the early 1960s the Lib- minster. … There Mr Hooson sits, the first ballot saw Hooson give his eral Party was experiencing some- vote in Mont- the solitary pride and joy of all that support to Thorpe formally. Emlyn thing of a minor national revival is left of the glorious Welsh Lib- Hooson was never to be a strong encapsulated above all in the sen- gomeryshire. eralism of years gone by’.2 At the supporter of Thorpe as party leader sational victory in the Orpington second annual conference of the throughout, but there was certainly by-election in March 1962. Hoo- Welsh Liberal Party convened at no real possibility that he might son’s shrewd policies urged rural Llandrindod Wells in 1968, Emlyn rebel publicly against his party and road development to reverse Hooson claimed that by this time leader. It was widely felt at the time Welsh depopulation, demand- ‘all internal criticism’ of the once and subsequently that if Emlyn ing the Liberals become a ‘wholly contentious decision to set up an Hooson had been less brilliant and modern, radical and classless party’. autonomous Welsh party had been busy as a barrister and judge, he By 1964 he was elected to the Lib- ‘stilled’. The new party, he asserted might well have succeeded Jo Gri- eral Party national executive. with gusto, had become in a very mond as leader of the Liberal Party Although he continued his pro- short time ‘the thinking party in in 1967.4 There were certainly fessional activities as a barrister (a Wales … the think tank of Welsh rather unpleasant undertones sur- preoccupation which invited sharp politics. … Liberalism … is more rounding the leadership contest. criticism from some sections of the thrustful, it is attracting more peo- Almost forty years later Hooson party), Emlyn Hooson was much ple. … We must avoid the dead- was to claim that Laura Grimond, involved in the revival and reor- ening hand of consensus politics ’s wife, had urged one ganisation of his party in Wales in if we are to have thrust and deter- of their Scottish colleagues not to the mid-1960s. He was (in striking mination’.3 Prior to 1967, many give support to ‘that Welshman’ – contrast to his party leader Jo Gri- influential Liberals in Wales had evidence of, for whatever reason, a mond) doggedly determined that not approved of the idea to estab- hostility towards Hooson north of the Liberals should reach no formal lish a separate Welsh party, prefer- the border.5 Grimond had also let it agreement with Harold Wilson’s ring to retain the status quo and a be known quite clearly that Jeremy

32 Journal of Liberal History 86 Spring 2015 emlyn hooson (1925–2012)

Thorpe was indeed his chosen suc- cessor as party leader. Had Gri- mond stood down earlier, between 1964 and 1966, which he had cer- tainly been considering, then Hoo- son might have had a better chance of becoming leader, since there have been suggestions that the two Scottish MPs who lost their seats in the general election of March 1966, George Mackie and Alisdair Mac- kenzie, might well have supported him in a leadership ballot. Later on, many within the Lib- eral Party came to believe that their party would have been bet- ter served in the long term by a Hooson or a Lubbock leadership. Had Hooson succeeded, he would certainly have been a more right- wing leader, more willing to fight the Labour Party as fiercely as the Tories. Behind the scenes at least during the late 1960s, Emlyn Hoo- son had given some support to the attempt by leading Liberal Party officials in the country at large Hooson (which, given Hooson’s Hooson in 1962, trying to force Thorpe out. Thorpe like Tim Beaumont and Gruff- reputation in legal circles, may well the year in which was cleared. ydd Evans to put pressure on Jer- have contributed to his acquittal). he won the Hooson retained Montgom- emy Thorpe to stand down, or at Generally he maintained an ami- Montgomery­ eryshire in five successive general least to agree to a collegiate form cable relationship with the Young shire by-election elections, winning a handsome, of party leadership. His distaste Liberal movement throughout. substantially increased majority for the party leadership did at least Emlyn Hooson reckoned his sus- of 4,651 votes in the general elec- enable Hooson to maintain a gener- picions about Jeremy Thorpe had tion of February 1974, an election ally amicable relationship with the been justified when, in 1971, the which witnessed something of a prospering Young Liberal move- former male model Norman Scott national Liberal revival. From 1966 ment during this crucial period in arrived at Westminster and claimed (when Elystan Morgan defeated the party’s history. to Hooson, and Lord in Cardiganshire) Being initially Eurosceptic, he Byers that Thorpe had had a homo- until February 1974 (when Geraint would have wanted the Liberals sexual relationship with him. Howells recaptured the division), to take a less pro-European line. Thorpe denied the allegations, but he had been the only parliamentary He was the only Liberal to vote Hooson conducted an investiga- representative of Welsh Liberal- against Britain joining the Euro- tion that triggered a party inquiry. ism. Following the near decimation pean Community. But he was Although this cleared Thorpe, of the Liberal Party in the gen- more anti-imperialist than oth- Hooson told Thorpe he should eral election of June 1970, Emlyn ers, fiercely opposing the Viet- consider resigning the leadership Hooson returned to Westminster nam War in the 1960s. During the and his seat and asked another Lib- with a heavy heart as one of only course of his speech at the 1967 Lib- eral MP, Peter Bessell, if he would six Liberal MPs in the new House eral Party Assembly at Blackpool, back him for the job should Thorpe of Commons (his colleagues were Emlyn Hooson opposed an amend- quit. Thorpe got to hear of this, and Jo Grimond, Russell Johnstone, ment calling for the gradual reduc- accused Hooson of running around John Pardoe, David Steel and Jer- tion of economic links between ‘trying to stir up something’.6 emy Thorpe), and it seemed to United Nations members and Jeremy Thorpe was forced out many that the party’s days were apartheid South Africa. He specifi- of the party leadership in 1976 after now numbered as a leading political cally argued against trade boycotts the affair became public and sub- player. Only Hooson and Grimond in general. When, in March 1968, sequently tried for incitement and had anything resembling comforta- two leading Young Liberals were conspiracy to murder Scott. Bessell ble majorities. The very small num- arrested for allegedly ‘obstruct- testified that Hooson – who was ber of Liberal MPs in the new house ing the police in the execution of not called as a witness – knew of (almost a record low in the history their duties’ outside the American ‘retainer payments’ of up to £700 of the party) inevitably led to bitter Embassy in Grosvenor Square, one made to Scott, and feared he might recriminations within the party. of those arrested (who was acquit- be accused of a cover-up. The court Most of his English, more radi- ted of the charge) was authorised also heard a tape recording in which cal MP colleagues like Pardoe by Emlyn Hooson to tell the court David Holmes, one of Thorpe’s and Thorpe, perched firmly on that he had been observing police codefendants, told Bessell that the left wing of the Liberal Party, behaviour to prepare a report for Hooson had been ‘firmly sat on’ for tended to view Emlyn Hooson as a

Journal of Liberal History 86 Spring 2015 33 emlyn hooson (1925–2012)

Parliamentary elections in Montgomeryshire, 1962–79 Party Candidate Votes % ±% General election 1979 Conservative Delwyn Williams 11,751 40.3 +11.9 Liberal Emlyn Hooson 10,158 34.9 −8.2 Labour J. Price 4,751 16.3 −2.9 Plaid Cymru C. Clowes 2,474 8.5 −0.8 Majority 1,593 5.5 Turnout 29,134 81.4 +1.5 General election October 1974 Liberal Emlyn Hooson 11,280 43.1 −2.3 Conservative W. R. C. Williams-Wynne 7,421 28.4 −0.5 Labour P. W. Harris 5,031 19.2 +1.4 Plaid Cymru A. P. Jones 2,440 9.3 +1.0 Majority 3,859 14.7 −2.2 Turnout 26,172 77.9 −4.7 General election February 1974 Liberal Emlyn Hooson 12,495 45.4 +7.0 Conservative W. R. C. Williams-Wynne 7,844 28.5 −1.2 Labour P. W. Harris 4,888 17.8 −2.3 Plaid Cymru A. P. Jones 2,274 8.3 −3.5 Majority 4,651 16.9 +8.2 Turnout 27,501 82.6 +0.3 General election 1970 Liberal Emlyn Hooson 10,202 38.4 −3.1 Conservative Delwyn Williams 7,891 29.7 +2.3 Labour D. W. Thomas 5,335 20.1 −3.7 Plaid Cymru E. J. Millward 3,145 11.8 +4.4 Majority 2,311 8.7 −5.4 Turnout 26,573 82.3 −0.5 General election 1966 Liberal Emlyn Hooson 10,278 41.5 −0.8 Conservative A. W. Wiggin 6,784 27.4 +0.7 Labour G. M. Evans 5,891 23.8 +1.3 Plaid Cymru T. Edwards 1,841 7.4 −1.1 Majority 3,494 14.1 −1.5 Turnout 24,794 82.8 −1.3 General election 1964 Liberal Emlyn Hooson 10,738 42.3 +0.3 Conservative A. W. Wiggin 6,768 26.7 −4.7 Labour G. M. Evans 5,696 22.5 −4.1 Plaid Cymru Islwyn Ffowc Elis 2,167 8.5 N/A Majority 3,970 15.6 +4.9 Turnout 25,369 84.1 +0.3 By-election 1962 Liberal Emlyn Hooson 13,181 51.3 +9.2 Conservative Robert H. Dawson 5,632 21.9 −9.4 Labour Tudor Davies 5,299 20.6 −6.0 Plaid Cymru Islwyn Ffowc Elis 1,594 6.2 N/A Majority 7,549 29.4 +18.6 Turnout 25,706 85.1 +1.3

34 Journal of Liberal History 86 Spring 2015 emlyn hooson (1925–2012) conservative-minded Liberal con- to adapt to the new social admix- Commons during the period of the fined mainly to the Welsh political ture within the county. Many of Lib–Lab pact and had also asked stage, and consequently somewhat the immigrants into the county forty-two oral questions on a very remote from the Westminster vor- had absolutely no tradition of vot- wide range of issues to government tex. But on occasion Hooson did ing Liberal or interest in Liberal ministers during the same period. adopt a notably forward, progres- politics.7 It was sometimes hard at times sive stand on domestic matters, Perhaps surprisingly, Emlyn to see what Hooson had in com- and he was undoubtedly the most Hooson was a notably cautious mon with his party’s radical main- fervent assailant within the Par- advocate of the ‘Lib–Lab’ pact con- stream. He saw the Labour Party as liamentary Liberal Party of the cluded between Prime Minister the main enemy, and after Enoch centralising measures of the Heath James Callaghan and Liberal Party Powell’s ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech, government. He encapsulated the leader David Steel in March 1977, a he upset David Steel by telling progressive Welsh Liberalism of the step which he grudgingly tolerated constituents he could see nothing 1960s and 1970s, looking increas- as a necessary evil. He even played wrong with assisting immigrants ingly to the ‘second coming’ of the an active role on the Liberal-gov- who sought repatriation. Yet he had Liberal Party in Wales as a worthy ernment Consultative Commit- no truck with Margaret Thatcher, successor to the rather declining tee which, he felt, gave his party a saying in 1978: ‘People are super- Labour Party. At the same time he much need opportunity to destroy ficially attracted by her violent remained a warm admirer of Lloyd the ‘wilderness complex’ disad- swing to the Right, but she cannot George and the radical ‘Yellow vantage. Many within the ranks of even work with Conservatives like Book’ proposals of the late 1920s. the Liberal Party (including a sub- Mr Heath and Peter Walker’.10 After the heavy Liberal losses in stantial innately ‘conservative’ ele- Nor did Hooson reap any per- the 1970 election, Hooson told the ment within Montgomeryshire) sonal benefit from his warm advo- that the public were highly critical of their leaders’ cacy of a Welsh Assembly during wanted a middle-of-the-road party, apparent readiness to keep in office 1978–79. Powys recorded the blaming Jo Grimond and Jeremy a Labour government so clearly on highest ‘No’ vote of all the Welsh Thorpe for trying to take it overtly the brink of ejection, and Hooson counties in the referendum of 1 leftward. himself tended to favour bringing March 1979, and a dejected Emlyn The traditional socio-cultural the highly contentious ‘Lib–Lab’ Hooson could only comment that divide in Montgomeryshire poli- pact to an end in the autumn of Welsh devolution was ‘a dead duck tics was still very much apparent. 1978. for this decade’.11 A long-antici- Hooson was clearly most secure in The Liberals in May 1978 pated general election was also on those areas well removed from the unveiled what was expected to the horizon. Since October 1974, English border, the Welsh-speak- become a major plank in the par- their MP had written more than ing parts of Montgomeryshire, the ty’s general election platform – the 5,500 letters on behalf of the peo- rural uplands and in market towns case for adopting the European ple of Montgomeryshire – ‘Every- like Machynlleth, , Llan- Convention on Human Rights as one knows someone who has been brynmair and Llanidloes. At New- Britain’s own Bill of Rights. After helped by Emlyn Hooson’.12 But town there was a delicate balance in a complete review of the argu- during the same period, too, far- the support for the political parties, ments, Emlyn Hooson, acting as reaching social changes had taken while Welshpool clearly contained his party’s home affairs spokesman, place, the county’s electorate had significant pockets of Conservative who had previously tried to intro- increased by 2,200 since Octo- support. The farming communities duce his own Bill of Rights in the ber 1974 and the constituency had generally still continued to rally Commons in 1969, had changed become much more anglicised. to the Liberal banner, encouraged his mind and concluded that the It was calculated that, of the 888 by their MP’s ongoing part-time European Convention provided the new families living in housing role as a practising farmer at Sum- most effective means of bringing estates built by the local New- merfield Park, Llanidloes and ready about what he called ‘a powerful town corporation, 435 of these sympathy for the problems of these weapon for the protection of civil had moved there from England. agrarian communities. The county, liberties and for law reform – and, Many of these migrants had dis- with a population of about 45,000 not least, an educative force of great It was some- approved strongly of their MP’s people, remained one of the most potential’.8 hands-on active support for the intensely agricultural constitu- As the period of the Lib–Lab times hard cause of devolution and his recent encies in the whole of the United pact drew to a close during the commitment to the Lib–Lab pact Kingdom, containing over 7,000 course of 1978, Hooson remained at times to of 1977–78. Local Conservative individual holdings, some as tiny as convinced that the experience had see what canvassers in the county were one acre in size. But there were also proved highly beneficial both to not slow to remind the electors significant social changes afoot: the the Liberal Party and the coun- Hooson had of Montgomeryshire of the scan- introduction of light industries had try, although he now anticipated dals, ranging from homosexuality meant that by 1974 there were some a ‘return to that position of com- in common to attempted murder, which had 2,000 new voters in the Newtown plete independence and freedom of recently beset the Liberals’ for- wards alone, and there was further manoeuvre which we all so rightly with his par- mer leader Jeremy Thorpe.13 Some suburban growth at Welshpool, value’.9 Hooson continued to por- electors had undoubtedly begun particularly in the Guilsfield local- tray himself as an active politi- ty’s radical to feel that Hooson’s continuing ity. To survive, it was imperative cian, one who had delivered more devotion to his legal work meant for Montgomeryshire Liberalism than forty major speeches in the mainstream. that he was not wholly dedicated

Journal of Liberal History 86 Spring 2015 35 emlyn hooson (1925–2012) to the needs of his constituency, my party. … I believe we are, On the day of of the Trustees of the Laura Ash- and inevitably the appeal of right- as a country, embarking on a ley Foundation, 1986–97, and his wing Thatcherism was beginning route which could take us into his funeral, assiduous membership from 1991 to be experienced even within the kind of extremism which the of the Severn River Crossing Plc. Montgomeryshire. United States found in Vietnam. many hun- He continued to farm at Pen-rhiw And in the general election … I am against the military farm, Llanidloes, and lived at which ensued in May, when the escalation of the present situa- dreds of Summerfield Park, Llanidloes. He Liberal vote slumped badly, the tion because, first, I do not think always encouraged help for small seemingly impregnable ‘man for it is in this country’s interests; mourners businesses in Wales. He had made Montgomeryshire’ unexpectedly secondly, I do not believe it is in the mid-1950s a concerted effort lost his seat to the Conservative in the interests of the Falkland lined the to save Gwasg Gee, one of the candidate Delwyn Williams by a islanders; and thirdly, I do not most important Welsh language margin of 1,593 votes. A ninety- think it is in the interests of the streets of printing presses and based at Den- nine year Liberal tenure of the free world. … I am bound to say bigh in north-east Wales, which seat thus dramatically came to an that I have been dismayed by the Llanidloes was responsible for the publication end – to the intense chagrin of the wave of emotionalism that has of large numbers of Welsh books party faithful in Wales. Apart from gone through this House this to pay their and the influential Welsh news- the four years which followed his afternoon.14 paper Baner ac Amserau Cymru. He defeat (1979 to 1983), and again at respects was also constantly loyal to the the 2010 general election (when Hooson remained a prominent Llangollen International Eistedd- Lembit Opik lost the seat to the Liberal Democrat and public fig- to a man fod which he served as president Conservative Glyn Davies), Mont- ure in Welsh life until his death. described as between 1987 and 1993, and he gomeryshire has elected Liberal He was for many years his party’s supported a multitude of societies or Liberal-affiliated candidates spokesman in the Lords at vari- ‘a great serv- in Montgomeryshire and beyond. ever since 1880. Shortly afterwards ous times on Welsh affairs, legal Lord Hooson had a close inter- Emlyn Hooson entered the House affairs, agriculture and European ant to the est in the cultural and musical life of Lords as life peer Baron Hooson affairs. He served as president of Wales, and was president of the of Montgomery and Colomendy of the Welsh Liberal Party from people of National Eisteddfod of Wales at in Denbighshire, at once becom- 1983 until 1986. When the Liberals Newtown. In 1966 and the follow- ing prominent in the affairs of merged with the SDP in 1988, he Montgomer- ing year, he was made an Honor- the Upper House, where he was backed Alan Beith for the leader- ary White Bard of the National to prove active in improving the ship against the less cautious figure yshire’. Gorsedd of Bards. Mental Health Act, urged police of Paddy Ashdown. Hooson was, Having suffered increasing ill reforms and spoke on law reform predictably, to give full support health during recent years, Emlyn and drug trafficking. to the establishment and develop- Hooson died on 21 February 2012. Emlyn Hooson was also ment of the National Assembly On the day of his funeral, many strongly opposed to the British pur- for Wales set up in 1999. Both as hundreds of mourners lined the suit of the Falklands War in 1982. a lawyer and a politician, he was streets of Llanidloes to pay their Speaking in the Lords on 20 May, strongly enthusiastic in his pur- respects to a man described as he was outspoken: suit of civil liberty issues, urg- ‘a great servant to the people of ing a Freedom of Information Act Montgomeryshire’. The funeral My Lords, it is with the great- from 1985. During his later years, service was held at China Street est regret that I must dissoci- his position on Europe softened: chapel, Llanidloes and was fol- ate myself from the support he was anxious to overcome ‘the lowed by a procession to the local for the Government expressed baleful influence of the Euroscep- cemetery.16 He was a first cousin by my noble Leader and friend tics’ among the Tories. Speaking (and political opponent) of Tom Lord Byers. I find it impossi- ‘as one who represents a minority Hooson, the Conservative MP for ble to support him. I am totally culture’, this Welsh-speaker said, the Brecon and Radnor division, against any military escalation ‘It seems to me that aggressive who died in 1985. A large archive in the present situation, and and self-glorifying nationalism is of his papers is in the custody of I speak not as a pacifist but as still one of the great curses of our the Welsh Political Archive at the one expressing quite the oppo- century’.15 National Library of Wales. site viewpoint. I have for years Among his numerous business The tribute of Kirsty Williams, been a defence spokesman for interests were his chairmanship leader of the Welsh Liberal Demo- crats, at the time of Lord Hoo- son’s death, eloquently sums up his Sources immense contribution:

NLW, Emlyn Hooson Papers; BLPES, Liberal Party Archives; NLW, Liberal Party of Wales archive; J. Emlyn Hooson was respected Graham Jones, ‘Emlyn Hooson and Montgomeryshire politics, 1962–79’, Montgomeryshire Collections/ in the and the Casgliadau Maldwyn, vol. 97 (2009), pp. 165–204; J. Graham Jones, ‘Emlyn Hooson’s parliamentary wider political community for debut: the Montgomeryshire by-election of 1962’, Montgomeryshire Collections, vol. 81 (1993), pp. his passionate liberalism, his love 121–29; J. Graham Jones, ‘The Liberal Party and Wales, 1945–79’, Welsh History Review, vol. 16, no. 3 (June of Wales and his sharp intellect. 1993), pp. 326–55; The Guardian, 26 February 2012; Daily Telegraph, 22 February 2012; Liberal Democrat Not only will he be remembered News, 9 March 2012; tribute by Glyn Davies in Barn, no. 591, April 2012; tribute by Dr in PROM, no. 21 (2012). for his high profile legal work, he will also be remembered for

36 Journal of Liberal History 86 Spring 2015 establishing the Welsh Liberal Party in Wales – something we are still proud of today. He was Report a steadfast Liberal who cared for the people of Montgomeryshire and Wales. Emlyn was also a fer- vent advocate of Welsh culture The Liberal–Tory Coalition of 1915 and music having been President of both the national and interna- Evening meeting, 26 January 2015, with Ian Packer and tional Eisteddfod.17 Nigel Keohane; chair: Raymond Asquith (Earl of Oxford and Asquith and great-grandson of Herbert Asquith) Dr J. Graham Jones is Senior Archivist Report by David Cloke and Head of the Welsh Political Archive at the National Library of Wales, n May 1915, following political minority governments, as had been Aberystwyth and military setbacks, Liberal the case from 1910. Hence, Packer IPrime Minister H. H. Asquith suggested, there was not necessar- 1 See J. Graham Jones, ‘Emlyn Hoo- brought senior figures from the ily an aversion to coalitions. When son’s parliamentary debut: the Mont- opposition parties into his govern- the war began there was a possibil- gomeryshire by-election of March ment – thus marking the end of ity that a coalition could be formed 1962’, Montgomeryshire Collections, 81 the last solely Liberal government immediately, as the Liberal Party (1993), pp. 121–29. of Britain. Dr Ian Packer, Acting was not wholly united over fight- 2 Norman Cook in his final article in Head of the School of History and ing the war. Packer argued that if the tour of the Welsh constituencies Heritage at Lincoln University a whole raft of cabinet ministers published in the Liverpool Daily Post, and author of a number of books had resigned, the Prime Minister 15 April 1967. on Edwardian and Liberal politics, and the pro-intervention ministers 3 NLW, Lord Hooson Papers, box 42, outlined the events that led to the might have entered into a coalition press cutting entitled ‘The Assize of In May 1915, formation of the Coalition, and with the Conservatives then. How- Youth’. went on to describe the difficulties ever, Asquith’s customary tact held 4 See the obituary in The Guardian, 26 following that it faced and what eventually his colleagues together. February 2012. brought it down. He did this very Once through this difficulty 5 See the reports in The Times, 18 and political and much from the Liberal perspec- things seemed brighter for the gov- 19 January 1967; The Guardian, 19 tive. He was followed by Dr Nigel ernment. Despite having 25 fewer January 1967; and Peter Barberis, military set- Keohane from the Social Market MPs than the Conservatives, the Liberal Lion Jo Grimond: a Political Life backs, Lib- Foundation, author of The Conser- Liberals enjoyed a secure Com- (I. B. Tauris, 2005), p. 139. vative Party and the First World War, mons majority through the sup- 6 Cited in Hooson’s obituary in the eral Prime who provided further narrative as port of the Irish Nationalists and Daily Telegraph, 22 February 2012. well as a commentary on the events the Labour Party. Although both 7 See the penetrating analysis in Ken- Minister H. described by Packer from a Con- parties included opponents of the neth O. Morgan, ‘Montgomery- servative perspective. decision to enter the war, both offi- shire’s Liberal century: Rendel to H. Asquith Packer began by noting that the cially supported it. In Packer’s view Hooson, 1880–1979’, Welsh History first wartime coalition formed in this bound them closer to the Lib- Review, vol. 16, no. 1 (June 1992), pp. brought May 1915 had not received a very erals and made them fear a possible 106–7. good press. Liberals disliked it as Liberal-Conservative coalition: the 8 The Guardian, 4 May 1978. senior fig- representing the end of the last Labour Party because of the threat 9 NLW, Lord Hooson Papers, box 45, Liberal government, and it was it might pose to trade union privi- PLP press release dated 15 April 1978, ures from the generally judged a failure for not leges, and the Irish Nationalists for Emlyn Hooson’s speech to the annual securing military victory and the fear it would block home rule. The conference of the Welsh Liberal Party opposition end of the First World War. How- Conservatives also had to be care- at the Commodore Conference Cen- ever, he argued that it was not a ful not to be seen to be criticising tre, Aberystwyth. parties into particularly incompetent govern- the government excessively, for 10 Daily Telegraph, 22 February 2012. ment and neither did it demonstrate fear of being seen as unpatriotic – 11 Daily Telegraph, 3 March 1979. his govern- that the Liberals were unable to a concern reinforced by Asquith’s 12 Election address of Emlyn Hooson, adapt their ideology to fighting a masterstroke of appointing Field May 1979. ment – thus modern war. Its problem was that Marshal Kitchener as Secretary of 13 See Morgan, ‘Montgomeryshire’s marking the it was in power during some of the State for War. The Liberals, there- Liberal century’, pp. 107–8. most desperate times of the war. fore, seemed safe. 14 House of Lords Debates, vol. 430, c. 838 end of the The possibility of coalition had Packer noted that the discus- (20 May 1982). hung over British politics since the sions within the cabinet regard- 15 See the obituary in The Guardian, 26 last solely start of the war in August 1914. The ing the conduct of the war did not February 2012. period up until then has been seen appear to affect the cohesion devel- 16 See the funeral report in the Cam- Liberal as a classic period of two-party pol- oped over the course of the Liberal brian News, 7 March 2012. itics, but in fact most of the govern- Party’s nine years in government. 17 Wales Online website, consulted 16 government ments of the preceding thirty years The crucial conflict came over how May 2013. had either been coalitions (Con- much of the country’s economic of Britain. servative and Liberal Unionist) or and manpower resources should

Journal of Liberal History 86 Spring 2015 37