‘A Sad Business’ The Resignation of Clement Davies Geoffrey Sell examines the end of Clement Davies’ leadership in 1956.
For much of Clement Davies’ leadership the Liberal chose to follow the Simonites and join the Na- tional Liberals in . It was not until Party was battling for survival. It was his fate to be that he rejoined the Liberal Party. party leader at the lowest moment in its history. The Both Attlee and Churchill retired from the party that had once seemed a natural vehicle of leadership of their parties in . Would Davies, aged seventy-two and leader of the Lib- government was close to extinction, commanding eral Party since , follow suit? Certainly the support of little more than two per cent of the amongst many leading activists there was a electorate and securing the return of only three MPs strong belief that there was need for change. It ‘was plain that the Young Turks and their friends to Westminster without the benefit of local pacts. among the Old Guard had lost faith in Clem- ent Davies, whose oratory had become even Unlike or , the Liberal Party adopted more emotional and rambling. Grimond, be- a narrow-front strategy for the elections of came clearly the best chance of change.’ and . Just and candidates respec- tively were fielded, and this helps to account, in part, for the low Liberal poll. In only fifteen Grimond constituencies in Great Britain at the gen- eral election did Labour and Conservative can- Jo Grimond had been Chief Whip since , didates not occupy the first two positions in and had married into the Liberal establishment, the poll. The pattern of party competition was to Asquith’s granddaughter, giving him his pass- that of a stable and balanced duopoly. In local port into Liberal politics. His mother-in-law, Lady Violet Bonham Carter, was ‘the formida- government the party was equally weak. Only .% of councillors elected in were Lib- ble high priestess of Liberalism.’ She took a eral. Moreover, the party was adrift on policy. proprietorial interest in the Liberal Party and Its progressive clothes had been stolen by La- the political hopes that she had once enter- bour in the post-war years, and those who re- tained for herself were transferred to Grimond. jected socialism found an attractive option in He was assisted by the lack of a credible alter- a Tory party influenced by Liberal ideas and native candidate. Of the six-man parliamen- led by moderates like Eden and Macmillan. tary party, two — Arthur Holt and Donald Surrender, however, was not countenanced. Wade — were clearly in Parliament only as After his successful election victory in , result of tacit Liberal/Conservative pacts in Churchill offered Davies the Ministry of Edu- Bolton and Huddersfield respectively. Roderic cation. The offer was refused, but to many ob- Bowen of Cardigan was not particularly ener- servers it looked like a brave gesture from a getic, and Sir Rhys Hopkin Morris was the Deputy Speaker. politically dying man. Davies believed that however ‘small are our numbers we have a task The comments made at the January to perform, and that cannot be performed if meeting of the National Executive can be seen we sink our independence and see the party as a criticism of Davies’ leadership. Edwin gradually welded into the structure of another Malindine claimed that ‘in the space of the party.’ At the Assembly, the Party Presi- last twenty or thirty years, the Liberal Party dent described Davies ‘as the leader of a party, had had setback after setback. Despite this, which after fighting three political Dunkirks, bands of Liberals were still working hard in the face of all defeats … above all, Liberal refuses to lie down.’ Nevertheless, his leader- ship had been a controversial one. His political workers need inspiration.’ H. Graham White, career was chequered, for although elected as a former Liberal MP, felt that: ‘more leader- Liberal MP for Montgomeryshire in , he ship of almost a spiritual kind, with a new
14 journal of liberal democrat history 24: autumn 1999 and vigorous statement of policy, small number of rural and seaside .%. Six MPs were returned, al- was required.’ constituencies, the party was benefit- lowing a degree of credibility that Although his Welsh oratory in- ing from electoral disenchantment would have been impossible to re- spired the rank and file at rallies and with the Eden government. This tain had their numbers been reduced at the annual Liberal Assembly, found expression at the Torquay by- to only two or three. Above all, the Clement Davies relied on generali- election in December , when Liberal Party had survived. ties about Liberal philosophy, and the Liberal share of the vote in- The perception that Liberal for- could be rather woolly about cur- creased from % to %. North tunes were on the increase put heart rent issues. For some Liberals, how- West Liberals were told that this was into its officers. Geoffrey Acland ever, such as former Oxford Univer- ‘a clear indication of political upturn wrote to Sir Andrew McFadyean in sity student David Penwarden, … The Liberal Party is on the march March that: ‘the result of the Davies displayed considerable pas- again, the old crusading spirit is be- election had surprised him far sion. He was good on issues such as ing recaptured.’ At Hereford two more than even those of and Africa and Europe. Penwarden recalls months later, Labour was pushed . Everything indicated to me that Davies would: ‘cry and break into third place and the Liberal can- that we could do nothing more than into tears when delivering a speech. didate secured % of the vote. say we went down and deep down He had a great rapport with stu- There was also evidence from the fighting. Although the need had al- dents.’ Former Young Liberal Betty General Election that the Lib- ways been there, now he felt for the Corn was also an admirer. Davies’ erals were beginning to attract a first time for many years we may ‘integrity shone through, one felt ‘floating’ or protest vote, those wa- succeed.’ very loyal to him.’ During the lat- vering in support or those wishing In some constituencies there ter part of his leadership, there was a to protest against the existing gov- were distinct signs of improvement. resurgence of support for the Lib- ernment without switching their al- Blackpool Liberals were informed at eral Party at both Oxford and Cam- legiance to the other major party. their Annual General Meeting that: bridge universities, each of which Thus in Bristol North-East two- ‘Membership was on the upgrade had Liberal Clubs with memberships thirds of a sample of Liberal voters and the financial position healthier of over a thousand. at this election had not voted Lib- than for many years. Wards never Davies did not pretend to be a eral before. The election better organised. Nationally the party manager and was not very marked a turning point in the Lib- party is gaining ground especially good at devising a positive pro- eral Party’s history. It was the first among the younger folk.’ gramme for the party. He was election since in which the rightly described as ‘a radical evan- party improved on its previous per- gelist’ by temperament rather than formance. The tide had been Pressure for change a party boss, disliking rigid party or- stemmed. There were few real set- Nevertheless, despite these indica- ganisation and conventions. Davies backs and many minor successes. The tions that the party had began to was thought intellectually flabby by Liberal share of the vote per candi- emerge from the electoral abyss, it the party hierarchy, including Lady date rose slightly from .% to was clear that some prominent Lib- Violet Bonham Carter and Philip Fothergill; Lady Violet’s daughter, Laura Grimond, thought that Clement Davies with the President of the Liberal Party, Sir Arthur Comyns Carr, in 1959. Davies was faintly ridiculous. David Steel commented that dur- ing Davies’ leadership, ‘all the Lib- eral Party was was the left-over of a once great party. It didn’t seem to have any relevance to modern po- litical thought.
Revival Despite these criticisms, the final year of Davies’ leadership saw the begin- nings of a Liberal revival which was to blossom under his successor. This had little to do with Davies, who was suffering from ill health. He had been forced to miss the Assem- bly and convalesce in Majorca. In a journal of liberal democrat history 24: autumn 1999 15 erals wanted a leadership change. Grimond’s closest colleague, recalled declaring: ‘it’s getting too much for These included Major-General Grey, being rung up and written to dur- me.’ When she learned that he in- the Party Treasurer, and Philip ing the final months of Davies’s lead- tended to make an announcement Fothergill, Party Vice-President, who ership by party activists. Richard the next day, she rang Grimond to concluded that the election results Moore, than a leader writer on the tell him. He replied that: ‘Clem hasn’t of and had been more News Chronicle, told Holt that un- said a word to me.’ disastrous than those of and less Davies went there would be a In a moving speech, Davies took . This was because only a small demonstration at the Assembly by his leave and was warmly and number of constituencies, where the the Young Liberals. The parliamen- lengthily cheered. This may have Liberals appeared to have a reason- tary party were, however, reluctant been because ‘gratitude for past serv- able chance of victory, were con- to act, as they did not want to cre- ices and relief at his decision to step tested. A younger man could provide ate a bad atmosphere. Davies was re- down were mixed in about equal the drive necessary to improve the garded as a nice, warm-hearted, man proportions.’ However, Roy Doug- party organisation. who did not really have much idea las believes that Davies’ announce- It was Grey, a man known for his where the party should go. ment was met with real sorrow by bluntness and not giving a damn for many delegates. For some Liberals anyone, who finally approached there was a strong element of hy- Davies and urged him to relinquish The final stage pocrisy in the air. The platform party the position of leader. It ‘was time It seems unlikely that Grimond was were ‘weeping like taps when Davies to go … the party will accept Jo.’ unaware of what was going on. made his farewell address. Ugh. Dis- This action was taken around June Upon arriving at the Assembly he gusting, and they all really wanted or July in . Feelings of contri- ‘vaguely discovered that there was him gone.’ Other Liberals were also tion sent the General straight away a feeling that the existing leader, unhappy. Peter Billenness, a member to Lady Violet. She asked him on Clem Davies, should go.’ This was of the Party Council, felt that Davies whose authority he had told Davies somewhat of an understatement, for should have been allowed to go in to resign. He replied Fothergill. In the conference opened to newspa- his own time. times of crisis, Fothergill was the per headlines such as ‘Davies: the The Observer thought that several most respectable name one could big query’ and ‘new leader for the delegates, despite applauding Davies’ think of. After all, he was head of the Liberals.’ speech, were privately contrasting his Temperance Association and Bands Amid this intense leadership rather nebulous and sentimental re- of Hope. speculation, Grimond moved a reso- affirmation of basic Liberal princi- Grimond’s engagement diary lution on automation. After a glow- ples with the sharp, concrete and records that he met General Grey ing introduction by the Assembly practical view on industrial progress five times between the beginning of chair, he modestly stated that he ap- expressed by Grimond. the year and July . It also reveals peared ‘not as the white hope of the The Economist, in similar vein, that on July he had lunch with Liberal Party, but as the white hope commented that: ‘Pensioning off an Jeremy Thorpe, who, Dominic Le of Kingston, Malden and Coombe old servant is a sad business, but Foe, a publicity consultant to the Liberal Association’ (the constituency when the Liberals have paid their party, claimed, was the mouthpiece association on whose behalf he was tributes to Clement Davies, they are of the campaign for Davies to go. moving the resolution). His self-dep- bound to feel relieved that their lead- Thorpe was a member of the Party recatory, offhand, unforcedly humor- ership, like that of the two main par- Council and candidate for North ous manner endeared him to the ties, has now moved into the next Devon, where he had increased the delegates. They made it unmistakably generation.’ party’s share of the vote from % clear that he was their candidate for Most Liberals accepted that a to % in . Granville Slack, the position of leader-elect of the change of leadership was overdue, Chairman of the Executive, recalls Liberal Party. He ‘appeared before to someone who could provide en- meeting Thorpe shortly before the Assembly as a delegate … he left ergy and a clear vision of the way Davies resigned, when he was asked: it as Crown Prince. the Liberal Party should develop. ‘can’t we get rid of Clement Davies?’ Grimond was absent when The only man who could do this Slack replied to the effect that Davies announced his decision to was Grimond. Stephen Cawley, Thorpe should let things lie. He step down. This was not made until Chairman of the Steering Com- knew that Davies had not accepted he arrived at the Assembly, for he had mittee for the Assembly, re- any speaking engagements for the told his agent in Montgomeryshire called his emotions: ‘Of course, we autumn, so consequently he ex- that he had no intention of resign- rejoiced; a young man had taken pected him to resign. ing. Press Officer Phyllis Preston re- over from a tired, old one with a The parliamentary party was called that he was hoping that peo- rather chequered career of politi- aware of the pressure for a change ple would persuade him to carry on. cal allegiance.’ in the leadership. Arthur Holt, She found him in an emotional state,
16 journal of liberal democrat history 24: autumn 1999 For the victories of Was there an the future, we must alternative? thank the guardians of the past. However, like Although necessary, it was never- many other political theless a painful transition for leaders before and since, Davies. His friends stated that he his manner of departure was hurt by the manner of his go- was inglorious. He failed ing, for he had not gone of his own to realise that the curtain volition. Was there an alternative? had come down and it In a party where there was no for- was time to leave the mal mechanism for removing a stage and make way for leader, it was bound to be a prob- another. lem. Grimond recognised this: ‘As there is no statutory limit on the Geoffrey Sell is a college time anyone can lead a party, and lecturer and a member of the seldom any moment which all those Liberal Democrat History involved see as the right moment Grop executive. He com- to resign, a great deal depends on pleted a PhD thesis on the character, judgement and good- Liberal Revival: British will of the leader … It does him Liberalism and Jo [Davies] credit, however, that he Grimond – . accepted with such good grace the Notes: suggestion that it was time for a The Times November change. Grimond subsequently . wrote to Davies deploring the Liberal News May , p. . events (press articles, and so on) Letter from the late Dr. T. Joyce to au- Letter from the late Dr T. Joyce, a former thor, op.cit. which led up to his decision to re- member of the Party National Execu- Interview with D. le Foe, November sign. He stated that: ‘I do not be- tive, to author, July . . lieve it necessary for one moment A. Sampson, Anatomy of Britain Today Interview with G. Slack, April . (London: Hodder & Stoughton, ) that you should resign now.’ Interview with Richard Moore, July p. . Nevertheless, an increasingly in- . National Executive Committee Min- Interview with the late A. Holt, April effective elderly leader was removed utes, January ; Liberal Party Ar- . from office against his will. Yet the chives, British Library of Political and The Listener, September , p. . impression was that ‘Grimond would Economic Science. News Chronicle, September . Ibid. not play ball to push the old man Manchester Guardian, September Interview with David Penwarden, Au- out. Others had to wield the knife , p. . gust . on his behalf.’ Party Council mem- Ibid. Interview with Miss B. Corn, August Interview with the late Miss P. Preston, ber Manuela Sykes believed that . November . Grimond did not know the meth- Interview with late Lady Grimond, A. Watkins, The Liberal Dilemma (Ply- ods being used on his behalf. October . mouth: MacGibbon and Kee, ), p. . Marxism Today, October . Clement Davies had all the tears Letter from the late Dr. T. Joyce, op. cit. Newsletter of the Lancashire, Cheshire and few of the joys of leadership. He Interview with Peter Billenness, July and North West Liberal Federation, . held the pass during the most treach- February ; Federation Archives, The Observer, September , p. . erous years in the party’s history, and Manchester Central Library. The Economist, October . in doing so, helped to lay the foun- R. S. Milne and H. C. MacKenzie, Mar- Letter dated June from the Hon. ginal Seats, (London, ) pp – dations for the revival that took place S. Cawley to author. . under his successor. His legacy was M. Burton, The Making of Liberal Party Letter from Geoffrey Acland (Chairman Policy –, PhD thesis, University of that he passed on a separate inde- of the National Executive) dated Reading, , p. . pendent national party further from March to Sir A. McFadyean; Undated letter from Jo Grimond to extinction or engulfment by either McFadyean Papers, British Library of Clement Davies; Clement Davies papers, Political and Economic Science. of the major parties than when he National Library of Wales. Annual General Meeting of the Black- took up the task. As the News Chroni- Based on an unpublished paper dated pool Liberal Association March ; September by Douglas Brown, cle commented, ‘Liberals are indebted Federation Archives, Lancashire Record former News Chronicle journalist; inter- to this man who refused to bow the Office. view July . knee and who recognised that the D. M. Roberts, Clement Davies and the Interview with Manuela Sykes, Au- Liberal Party, MA Thesis, University of endless obituaries of the party were gust . Wales, . premature.’ News Chronicle, October . journal of liberal democrat history 24: autumn 1999 17