All political parties require backroom engineers who do the donkey-work of political organisation, without enjoying public recognition or the opportunity for political advancement. Raymond Jones was an outstanding and loyal servant of the Liberal Party during its days of decline from a party of government to little more than a parliamentary pressure group. A lifelong Liberal, Jones held senior positions within the party from the height of its success in until his retirement in . A constituency organiser, election agent and parliamentary candidate, he passed through the party’s central finance organisation in the s to become Secretary to the Liberal Central Association (the support organisation for the Chief Whip and Parliamentary Party) in the s and s and in his last year become Chairman of the National Liberal Club. In this article his daughter, Brenda Tillotson, recalls her father and his involvement in the Liberal Party during its long decline in the first half of the twentieth century. Written with Ian Hunter. AT THE HEART OF THE PARTY
aymond Victor Jones main ‘Jones and Sons’ shop at the problem that plagued him for the was born on June top of Redcliffe Hill. He excelled rest of his life. , in the family as a student and chorister but, On September he house at Broad although he matriculated from married Mary Beatrice Poole, Quay, Bristol. He school, he did not attend univer- also of Bristol, in a quiet, informal Rwas the third of seven children sity. He did, however, maintain ceremony, overshadowed by the to Alfred Edmund and Mary a powerful tenor singing and outbreak of the First World War. Ann Jones. Raymond’s father speaking voice throughout his It was a very happy marriage and owned three ‘Jones and Sons’ life, and enjoyed public speaking, produced one child, Brenda, in furniture shops. The family was conversation, reading aloud, and . As she remembers: Nonconformist Baptist, Lib- telling yarns and jokes. His edu- eral and teetotal. Ironically, his cation gave him an understand- My father was a Nonconform- grandfather, James Jones, worked ing of the established Church ist churchman and a strong as the accountant for George’s of England which, combined supporter of the Temperance Brewery in Bristol, but this was with his thorough knowledge Movement throughout his life. never discussed by his abstemi- of Nonconformist church his- As well as abstaining from alco- ous descendants. The family had tory, gave him a broad view of hol, he never smoked, gambled or voted Liberal since the formation Christian doctrine and the social went to the races. He kept to a of the party in the mid-nine- Lloyd structure of his day. Despite his vegetarian diet with the addition teenth century – though prior George strong views, he was tolerant of of fish, poultry and eggs, which to the Ballot Act of , which the lifestyle of others – his belief was meant to limit the precipita- allowed secret ballots, Ray- once in freedom of choice reigning tion of the migraine attacks. As an mond’s grandfather had required supreme. occasional supplement to his diet police protection before he dared dubbed him On leaving school Jones my father was fortunate enough record his Liberal vote. joined his father in the furniture to receive, during the shooting Raymond Jones was a pupil ‘the loyall- business, and he was apprenticed season, birds from Scotland, and at St Mary Redcliffe School, a est of the to the clock and watch trade. He at Christmas a large hamper from Church of England grammar gave up the latter due to the onset Fortnum and Mason – both sent school, situated opposite the loyal’. of severe migraine headaches, a by Sir Archibald Sinclair (future
28 Journal of Liberal History 46 Spring 2005 AT THE HEART OF THE PARTY
leader of the party between Medical problems prevented Raymond Jones honours for the benefit of his and ). Jones from joining up during as a young man; personal campaign fund. the First World War. The govern- in 1928, with Jones moved from his post in a very young Jones took an active part in the ment struggled to cope with the Brenda; and in Bristol to take responsibility for election, which resulted demands of what became a more middle age. the Liberal Associations of the in a landslide victory for the protracted war than the country four Leicester constituencies, Liberal Party, and he became a had ever experienced, and this and by he was appointed ward secretary in his local area conflict prompted the decline of Secretary to the Liberal organisa- of Bristol. This was a time of the Liberal Party. Jones’ war work tion embracing the twelve Bir- great social reform when, under related to voluntary recruiting, mingham constituencies. This Prime Ministers Campbell-Ban- war aims, war savings, and man- was a much tougher challenge nerman (–) and Asquith aging the local distribution of than either Bristol or Leicester, (–), the authority of the potatoes. In addition, he ran the as Birmingham was the former House of Commons was estab- cashier and shipping departments stronghold of the Chamberlainite lished and the foundations of of the Pool Board Petroleum Liberal Unionists. It was, in , the welfare state were laid. As Supplies Company. a strongly pro-coalition Conserv- a passionate believer in social The party was deeply divided ative city with very few Liberal reform, Jones became profes- during the war, as Asquith activists or credible constituency sionally involved with politics, entered a coalition with the organisations. and in became assistant to Conservatives in . In By the early s those H. F. Lane in the constituencies Lloyd George replaced Asquith industrial areas such as Bristol of South and West Bristol. After as Prime Minister, and, in the and Leicester that had been Lib- nine months he became agent to general election, Asquith eral strongholds had now fallen Sir Charles Hobhouse, MP for lost his seat. Jones had much in to Labour, and it was difficult to East Bristol, who was Chancellor common with Lloyd George, as predict which parts of the coun- of the Duchy of Lancaster from they were both from middle- try could be counted on for to , and Postmaster class, Nonconformist families, Liberal support, apart from rural General from to . Jones but Jones would have disap- Wales. The prominence of the stayed as his agent until . proved of Lloyd George selling right-wing and new left-wing
Journal of Liberal History 46 Spring 2005 29 AT THE HEART OF THE PARTY parties sidelined the divided Lib- ‘He the minority Labour govern- Liberal Nationals who uncondi- erals into third place, and after the ment depended on Lloyd George tionally supported the coalition. election many supporters grabbed and Liberal support in order to As an eight year old, Brenda defected. Churchill went to the achieve progress on unemploy- gained some experience of the Conservatives and many former father, who ment and electoral reform. In the poverty and poor housing that Liberal ministers joined the election, the Conservative and blighted parts of Britain. Before Labour ranks. In Jones was called a Labour parties won seats in their the election, she accompa- promoted to the finance depart- cab and now traditional heartland areas, nied her parents to South West ment at Liberal Headquarters. but the Liberal vote was spread Bethnal Green, Sir Percy Harris’ Jones stood as the Liberal can- wrote the evenly across the country and constituency from to . didate for Mitcham, Surrey, in did not convert to seats under the ‘Lady Harris, my mother and I the general election. Party first page first-past-the-post electoral sys- stamped and stuffed envelopes leader, Lloyd George, with cam- tem – a situation which still per- for hours … One afternoon for a paign funds left over from the sale of the sists today. change I was taken door-to-door of peerages, had set about reinvig- speech as After his defeat by Meller, canvassing in the poorest part of orating the party with new ideas. Jones was appointed Secretary of town and was shocked at what The unemployment issue domi- they raced the Liberal Free Trade Association. I saw – the dank, dismal build- nated the campaign, inspired by In he moved his family to a ings of a London slum.’ Brenda economist J. M. Keynes, who to their three-bedroom detached house also remembers the tramps who was one of Lloyd George’s main in Edgware, Middlesex. ‘Father roamed the country knocking advisers. For the first time, Key- venue. loved “do it yourself” projects, on doors seeking a free meal and nes advocated the use of public Father con- best of all he loved gardening. He who at night could be seen curled money to alleviate unemploy- was a very warm, loving father up in newspapers on London’s ment, thereby boosting national tinued to and husband. He taught me to park benches. income. Jones made impassioned set goals, make decisions, never to The election of saw a speeches broadcast from a van as write the be afraid of being in the minor- further erosion of Liberal seats, it drove round the streets of Mit- ity, and to prepare for meetings,’ when the party won just twenty- cham. He spoke of: speech off remembers Brenda. one. Sir Archibald Sinclair took stage. As He took an active part in his over from Samuel as party leader. The total inability of the Con- local community, attending the He and his colleagues supported servatives to deal with unem- he com- Presbyterian Church where he Churchill in warning of the dan- ployment. This failure is a was an Elder. Like his father and gers posed by Nazi Germany, and tragedy, which is reflected in pleted each grandfather before him he was a in arguing for the need to uphold hundreds of thousands of homes Freemason, belonging to a Tem- the League of Nations and for today. Men and women, healthy page he perance Lodge. He was a found- rearmament. When Churchill and strong are unable, though passed it ing member of the Edgware Rate became Prime Minister in , willing, to find work. More than Payers’ Association, which lob- the Liberal Party joined the coa- a million of these awake every over to Sir bied Hendon Borough Council lition government, with Sinclair morning to face a day of hope- and was instrumental in obtaining appointed Secretary of State for less seeking, and as each night Archibald.’ local improvements such as walk- Air until the end of the war. Soon comes round they close their ways under the Watford bypass. after Sinclair took over at the Air eyes upon another day of dark The financial crisis of Ministry he was invited to speak despair. We Liberals say to both touched the lives of everyone. at a meeting. Brenda remembers: of these parties … Conservative The Jones family furniture busi- and Labour … ‘Enough of this ness was no exception, and the Archie, being busy in his new dallying! If you can do noth- shops that Jones managed even- role, hadn’t prepared a speech. ing yourselves, then make room tually went out of business in the He grabbed father, who called for those who can and will face mid-s. As a result of the crisis, a cab and wrote the first page this problem with courage and in Prime Minister Macdon- of the speech as they raced to determination.’ ald formed an emergency coali- their venue. Father continued to tion with the Conservatives and write the speech off stage. As he Although the Liberals won over Liberals and called another elec- completed each page he passed five million votes they won only tion. The Liberals split three ways: it over to Sir Archibald. All went fifty-nine seats, and in Mitcham Liberal Nationals (Simonites), without a hitch. Father wrote Jones took third place, with the Liberals (Samuelites) and Lloyd well, fast and easily. He looked Conservative candidate, R. J. George’s Independent Liberals. upon this small challenge with Meller, winning the seat. The As a lifelong supporter of free great amusement. election marks the point trade, Jones supported Sir Herbert when the Liberal Party became Samuel’s official Liberals, and vig- Jones admired Sinclair and always permanently identified as a third orously opposed Sir John Simon’s enjoyed working for him. party by the electorate, although
30 Journal of Liberal History 46 Spring 2005 AT THE HEART OF THE PARTY
During the – era to prospective Liberal candidates porter would take care of him for of Conservative government and newly elected members. His a few hours. appeasement, Jones limited his close friend, Major General Wulff Harcourt (‘Crinks’) John- vacations and worked long hours, Grey, a much decorated veteran of stone was frequently mentioned particularly supporting the many the First World War, with whom in conversation, Brenda recalls. refugees who approached the he lunched every week during ‘Father probably worked for him Liberal Party. It was at this time the war, had a son, George, who on a daily basis during the coa- that Jones met Dr Peres, an inter- stood for the Liberal Party in lition government.’ Johnstone national lawyer appointed by . Jones became something of was elected MP for Middles- Jan Masaryk, the Czech ambas- a mentor to George Grey when brough West in , and served sador to London, to negotiate he entered the House (becom- as Secretary to the Department with the British government on ing its youngest member) as MP of Overseas Trade in the coali- behalf of Czechoslovakia. ‘Peres for Berwick-upon-Tweed. Jones tion government. ‘I don’t remem- approached the Liberal Party for assisted Grey with his maiden ber him referring to Harcourt as help,’ recalls Brenda. ‘It must have speech, and advised him on party “Crinks”. This may or may not been devastating to fail in this policy, parliamentary protocol have social significance. They mission.’ and how to nurse a constituency. shared similar political views and As an ardent supporter of free ‘Father, and I believe the party as enjoyed each other’s company, trade, in he compiled and a whole, thought George Grey despite vastly different tastes, life- edited a hard-cover booklet, had the potential to become a style and backgrounds.’ For some Flashlights on Trade – an important national leader,’ said Brenda. ‘As years Jones was prospective Lib- reference at a time when arma- an MP he was exempt from mili- eral candidate for South Shields, ment profiteers were in evidence tary service, but chose to fight. Johnstone’s previous constituency, and war was looming. Sources for Regrettably Captain George and spent considerable time nurs- the booklet included the work of Grey was killed in Normandy ing it. However, in he found Sir Herbert Samuel, Sir Norman just a few days after D Day, a deep a replacement candidate so that Hill and Alfred Beesly. sorrow for his family, my father he could commit himself solely Jones was appointed Secretary and the Liberal Party.’ In the by- to his work in London. of the Liberal Central Association election following his death, Sir During Jones escorted in , a post which he held for W. H. Beveridge was elected MP William Beveridge to meetings ten years until his retirement. This for Berwick-upon-Tweed. Raymond Jones in on the ‘Construction of a Mod- Liberal Party HQ, included the role of Chief Agent, Party work continued at the Gayfere Street, ern Welfare State’ which Bev- and, with his extensive knowledge Club. ‘I’m sure many important Westminster. eridge chaired. Jones listened to of electoral law, he hosted semi- plans and decisions were made nars at the National Liberal Club over lunch, or sitting in a quiet for party agents and travelled the lounge,’ recalls Brenda. ‘Unless length and breadth of the country Father had a specific engagement once an election was called. he lunched with six to eight In Jones was invited to friends at the large round table join the newly formed Ministry of near the entrance to the dining Information that was established room where conversation and to monitor the media during the jokes were enjoyed.’ Although he conflict. He moved his office to was much loved by many, there the Ministry, but returned to the were a few who were a target for headquarters of the Liberal Par- Jones’s outspoken opinions and liamentary Party at Gayfere Street quick temper, not least the club in Westminster after a short time. chef who would occasionally He worked closely with the Chief serve a rare delicacy only available Whip, members of the press and, on the black market. Jones had no during the wartime coalition gov- time for illegal trading and would ernment, his counterparts in the insist that the offending ingredi- Conservative and Labour parties. ent be removed from the menu He volunteered for air raid duty immediately. on the roof of the National Lib- Jones suffered from migraine eral Club where he extinguished attacks throughout his life and fires from incendiary bombs. during an attack would retreat to Jones devoted considerable his room at the Club. On occa- time and effort to understand- sion a migraine would render ing the procedures and protocol him unable to speak so he carried of the House of Commons and the address of the Club on a card became a much valued adviser to show to taxi drivers. The club
Journal of Liberal History 46 Spring 2005 31 AT THE HEART OF THE PARTY the discussions at these meetings, Raymond having been invited to do work once dubbed him ‘the loyallest of but he was not directly involved. for the BBC and also considering the loyal’. He also served on the Elec- Jones was opening a chain of coffee shops in toral Machinery Committee, London. In August , however, After her father’s death and, sadly, chaired by the Registrar-General, a pas- he suffered a coronary thrombo- that of her mother a year later, Brenda Sir Sylvanus Vivian. Issues such as sis and died on the Isle of Wight Jones (now Tillotson) left England to electoral boundaries, registration sionately while on holiday with his family work in Canada, the United States of voters and proportional rep- commit- celebrating Brenda’s twenty-first and South Africa as a physiothera- resentation were discussed and birthday. pist. She settled in Vancouver, British Jones was an invaluable contribu- ted Liberal Raymond Jones was a passion- Columbia. Throughout her career she tor with his in-depth knowledge ately committed Liberal through- found that the lessons learned at her of electoral law and first-hand throughout out his life and, although he was father’s knee were invaluable. She is experience of constituency work angered by injustice, he never now retired and lives with her hus- during elections. his life and, became depressed or despondent. band near Vancouver. Ian Hunter is Jones took an active part in the although The publication of the Beveridge the editor of Winston & Archie: life of the National Liberal Club Report and the formation of the The Letters of Winston Churchill and served on the executive that he was United Nations gave him much and Archibald Sinclair (Politicos, dealt with the Club’s manage- hope for the future. Lloyd George forthcoming, ). ment and business arrangements. angered by He became Chairman in . He invited distinguished politi- injustice, cians and foreign dignitaries as he never luncheon speakers. Brenda joined her father at some key events fol- became More on Lib Dem voting in the House of lowing the end of the war. As well as the Victory in Europe Thanks- depressed Commons giving Service at St Paul’s Cathe- Philip Cowley and Mark Stuart (Nottingham University) dral, she attended the opening or session of the General Assembly despond- of United Nations in London. n our earlier article in Journal the first session of this Parlia- ‘It was the second day and Mr ent. of Liberal History (Summer ment, to per cent in the sec- Trygve Lie had taken the chair I) tracking Liberal Demo- ond session, and reaching per – another day of excitement and crat voting in the Commons cent between –. Liberal hope for the future, though the between and , we Democrat MPs are now there- failure of the League of Nations showed that the party had shifted fore more than twice as likely to was still in our minds,’ she said. from being almost indistinguish- vote with the Conservatives as After the war there seemed to able from Labour in terms of its they were at the beginning of the be a national shift in political mood voting to having become a bona Parliament. towards the left, and the Liberal fide party of opposition. Analysis These overall figures con- Party hoped to benefit, especially of the last full session’s vot- tinue to mask some differences since Beveridge had been elected ing data (ending in November between the different types of as a Liberal MP in . However ) shows that that trend has votes. The Lib Dems are more the Labour Party routed the other continued: out of the Com- supportive of the government parties, leaving the Liberals with mons whipped votes in which over the principle of legislation just twelve seats, all rural. Clem- Lib Dem MPs participated, the than over its details – although ent Davies was elected temporary party’s MPs voted against the even here, there has been a chairman of the Liberal MPs and, government in ( per cent). noticeable drop in their levels of when the expected by-election to They voted with the government support. The third session saw the re-elect Sinclair did not material- in just divisions ( per cent). Lib Dems back the government ise, Davies continued to lead the (There were also Lib Dem in per cent of votes on the party for another eleven unre- free votes, and three occasions principle of government legisla- markable years. when the Lib Dem frontbench tion (voting with them on either Jones retired as Secretary of line was to abstain.) second or third reading). Where the Liberal Central Association The party’s tendency to vote they really get stuck in, though, on June . On July he with the Conservatives has now is over the fine print – voting was entertained to dinner at the been growing steadily year on against Labour in more than four House of Commons by seventeen year: from per cent in the first out of every five votes on the of his closest colleagues in the session of the Parliament, detail of government legislation. party. Viscount Samuel and Clem- to per cent in the second, More information on this and ent Davies gave speeches. He had per cent in the third, per cent related issues can be found at the made plans for his retirement, in the fourth, to per cent in website www.revolts.co.uk.
32 Journal of Liberal History 46 Spring 2005