Remembering Jo Grimond
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For the study of Liberal, SDP and Issue 80 / Autumn 2013 / £6.00 Liberal Democrat history Journal of LiberalHI ST O R Y Remembering Jo Grimond David Steel Jo Grimond 1913–1993 Centenary lecture Graham Lippiatt Jo Grimond: The Legacy Meeting report Martin Pugh Liberalism and national identity The Victorian achievement Jaime Reynolds and Peter Wrigley Liberal roots The Liberal Party in a West Yorkshire constituency, 1920s–1970s David Boyle Three acres and a cow Jesse Collings and the Smallholdings and Allotments Act Liberal Democrat History Group 2 Journal of Liberal History 80 Autumn 2013 Journal of Liberal History Issue 80: Autumn 2013 The Journal of Liberal History is published quarterly by the Liberal Democrat History Group. ISSN 1479-9642 Liberal history news 4 Editor: Duncan Brack Jo Grimond centenary – Orkney weekend, 18–19 May; Viscount Bryce blue Deputy Editor: Tom Kiehl plaque unveiled in Belfast; On Liberties: Victorian Liberals and their legacies; Assistant Editor: Siobhan Vitelli Liberal Democrat History Group website Biographies Editor: Robert Ingham Reviews Editor: Dr Eugenio Biagini Contributing Editors: Graham Lippiatt, Tony Little, Jo Grimond 1913 – 1993 8 York Membery David Steel’s commemoration lecture, given at Firth Kirk, Finstown, Orkney, 18 May 2013 Patrons Dr Eugenio Biagini; Professor Michael Freeden; Report 14 Professor John Vincent Jo Grimond: The Legacy, with Peter Sloman, Harry Cowie and Michael Meadowcroft; report by Graham Lippiatt Editorial Board Dr Malcolm Baines; Dr Ian Cawood; Dr Matt Cole; Dr Roy Douglas; Dr David Dutton; Prof. David Gowland; Letters to the Editor 18 Prof. Richard Grayson; Dr Michael Hart; Peter Hellyer; Honor Balfour (Mark Egan); 1963 Dumfries by-election (David Steel); Aubrey Dr Alison Holmes; Dr J. Graham Jones; Dr Tudor Jones; Herbert (Lionel King); Liberals and Ireland (Sandy Waugh); Women leaders Tony Little; Prof. Ian Machin; Dr Mark Pack; Dr Ian (Anthony Hook) Packer; Dr John Powell; Jaime Reynolds; Dr Andrew Russell; Dr Iain Sharpe Liberalism and national identity 20 Editorial/Correspondence The Victorian achievement; by Martin Pugh Contributions to the Journal – letters, articles, and book reviews – are invited. The Journal is a refereed Liberal roots 26 publication; all articles submitted will be reviewed. The Liberal Party in a West Yorkshire constituency, 1920s – 1970s; by Jaime Contributions should be sent to: Reynolds and Peter Wrigley Duncan Brack (Editor) 54 Midmoor Road, London SW12 0EN Three acres and a cow 38 email: [email protected] David Boyle on Jesse Collings and the Smallholdings and Allotments Act 1908 All articles copyright © Journal of Liberal History. All rights reserved. Reviews 43 Advertisements Lentin, Banker, Traitor, Scapegoat, Spy? 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September 2013 Chair: Tony Little Honorary President: Lord Wallace of Saltaire Journal of Liberal History 80 Autumn 2013 3 LIBEral hiSTORY NEWS AUTUMN 2013 Jo Grimond centenary: Orkney weekend, 18–19 May 2013 Mike Falchikov reports on a dinner, when fifty locals sat down was followed by a lively panel dis- weekend several months in the with seventy from the rest of the cussion, chaired by Liam McArthur planning. In the autumn of 2012 UK, including twenty from Edin- MSP and involving David Steel, some members of the Scottish Lib- burgh. Amongst those making the (Lord) Jim Wallace, Willie Rennie eral Club in Edinburgh (mostly vet- long journey was Catherine Fisher, MSP and Baroness Jane Bonham erans of the Grimond generation) Jo’s long-serving secretary at West- Carter, with plenty of contribu- wondered how the Club might minster, who, at 93, took part in all tions from the floor. contribute to commemorating the the weekend’s activities. The evening dinner was in centenary of Jo’s s birth (29 July The official part of the week- Kirkwall, followed by speeches 2013). Our suggestion was for a lec- end began in Finstown, close to the from Alistair Carmichael MP and ture or short conference to be held Grimond family home, on the Sat- the principal guest, Deputy Prime in Orkney the following summer. urday afternoon. Lord Steel of Aik- Minister Nick Clegg. In his speech, Contact was made with the three wood delivered a superb address Nick stressed the continuity of the Northern Isles parliamentarians, all (reproduced on pages 8–14), outlin- party from Grimond to the present of whom welcomed the initiative, ing Jo’s life and career in politics day and also powerfully reminded whilst advising that the busy sched- and his significance for our party us that the Lib Dems are and will ule of events on the islands made a today. David suggested five lega- remain a European party. The din- May date preferable to that of the cies which Jo Grimond left us – his ner was also attended by Jo’s three actual centenary. The next con- devotion to his constituency, his surviving children, Johnny, Mag- tact was the local party who were success in dragging the Liberal nus and Gelda. delighted with the suggestion and Party back from the brink of obliv- For the Sunday – a second day of their constituency organiser, Ruth ion, his rejection of post-war Brit- sunshine and blue skies – there was Williams, got things moving very ish imperialism in favour of a more a coach tour of the Orkney Main- rapidly. modern form of politics, his unwa- Guests outside land, including a stop at Skara Brae, Both the organisation of the vering support for Scottish home the Old Manse followed by a visit to the Grimond events and the welcome to a horde rule and, finally, his own engaging (Nick Clegg house, the Old Manse above Fins- of visitors from the mainland could personality. The address – often centre, in front of town, where we were entertained not have been bettered. The week- moving, sometimes humorous window; David to drinks and snacks and a tour of end had been well publicised in in recalling anecdotes about Jo – Steel second the house and garden by the Gri- party circles and an indication of reminded many participants of why from right) mond family. The weekend came the success of the venture was the they had come together in Orkney, (photo: Nigel to an official close with a lunch at attendance at the Saturday evening and reinforced their beliefs. This Lindsay) another Old Manse – at Evie, the 4 Journal of Liberal History 80 Autumn 2013 liBEral hiSTORY NEWS the harshest critics of British repres- of Nations and in 1921 published a sive policy against Boer civilians in book that was critical of post-war the South African War, condemn- democracy; specifically, he strongly ing the systematic burning of farms opposed the new right of women and the imprisonment of old peo- to vote. ple, women and children in British In earlier life he was a nota- concentration camps. ble mountain climber, ascend- In 1907 Bryce was appointed ing Mount Ararat in 1876. ‘Mount British Ambassador to the United Bryce’ in the Canadian Rockies States of America, where he served was named in his honour in 1898 until 1913, successfully strengthen- and he was president of the Alpine ing the Anglo-American friend- Club in 1899–1901. ship. As an author, Bryce became In 1907, King Edward VII made well known in America for his 1888 Bryce a Member of the Order of work, The American Commonwealth. Merit. He became a fellow of the The book thoroughly examined Royal Society in 1894 and was also home of Alistair Carmichael, the David Steel the institutions of the United States President of the British Academy piece de resistance being a gigantic delivering the from the point of view of a histo- from 1913 to 1917. Bryce died on 22 fish pie, cooked by the MP himself. lecture (photo: rian and constitutional lawyer, and January 1922 in Sidmouth, Devon Nigel Lindsay) it became a classic. and was cremated at Golders Green On his return to Great Britain Crematorium.