Saturday, January 24, 2009

Who Is The Oldest Surviving Former MP?

Last week I reported the sad death of former North Norfolk Labour MP Bert Hazell at the ripe old age of 101. He was he longest ever surviving former MP. Liberal England is now on the search for the oldest surviving former Liberal MP. They reckon is it George Mackie, who is 90 in July and was Liberal MP for Caithness & Sutherland from 1964-66 and was then given a Peerage.

I thought I'd take up the challenge and ask my readers if they know who the oldest suriving ex Labour and Conservative MPs are, or indeed, if there are any surviving minor party MPs who can lay claim to the title of oldest surviving MP?

I'll update this post with your nominations.

UPDATE: David Boothroyd has spolit the fun already come up with the answer...

The oldest ex-Conservative MPs are James Allason (C, Hemel Hempstead 1959-74), b. 6/9/12, and Reader Harris (C, Heston and Isleworth 1950-70), b. 4/6/13.

The oldest ex-Labour MP is Michael Foot (Plymouth Devonport 1945-55; Ebbw Vale 1960-83; Blaenau Gwent 1983-92), b. 23/7/13.

The oldest ex-minor party MP is Ernest Millington of Common Wealth (later joined the Labour Party), who was elected for Chelmsford in April 1945 (b. 15/2/16).

The oldest ex-Liberal MP is indeed Lord Mackie of Benshie; followed by Clement Freud (b. 24/4/24) and Emlyn Hooson (b. 26/3/25).

UPDATE: Chris disagrees. He nominated William Wilson, Labour MP, b.28/06/1913, MP for Coventry South 64 to 74 then Coventry South East 74 to 83

UPDATE: Liberal England has found an older Labour MP... There is an older living Labour MP: Ted Short, born 17 December 1912. Thanks to a comment on Michael Crick's blog for this.

12 comments:

David Boothroyd said...

The oldest ex-Conservative MPs are James Allason (C, Hemel Hempstead 1959-74), b. 6/9/12, and Reader Harris (C, Heston and Isleworth 1950-70), b. 4/6/13.

The oldest ex-Labour MP is Michael Foot (Plymouth Devonport 1945-55; Ebbw Vale 1960-83; Blaenau Gwent 1983-92), b. 23/7/13.

The oldest ex-minor party MP is Ernest Millington of Common Wealth (later joined the Labour Party), who was elected for Chelmsford in April 1945 (b. 15/2/16).

The oldest ex-Liberal MP is indeed Lord Mackie of Benshie; followed by Clement Freud (b. 24/4/24) and Emlyn Hooson (b. 26/3/25).

Charlotte Corday said...

On the subject of survivors, here is a teaser someone asked me the other day- how many wifes of former British Prime Ministers are still alive?
Clue: I was surprised by one of them. (Although probably people here are more intelligent than me and know the answer).

Charlotte Corday said...

Sorry. Wives. Not wifes.

Hacked Off said...

Sadly Cherie is still stealing oxygen.

The Penguin

Chris said...

Not sure about this chap but, William Wilson, Labour MP, b.28/06/1913, MP for Coventry South 64 to 74 then Coventry South East 74 to 83.

Unknown said...

cherie blair
norma major
mary wilson

Old Holborn said...

Iain,

Rioting taxpayers have forced the resignation of Icelands Prime Minister and the head of the national bank

HERE

Perhaps we could do the same here

Charlotte Corday said...

Simon: You fell into the same trap as me. Clarissa Eden, Countess of Avon, is still alive.

Andy said...

Why do you have a category for Liberal MPs and then a separate category for minor-parties?

Ian M said...

Geroge Mackay i.e. Lord Mackay on Benshee represented an interesting seat in Caithness and Sutherland. From being a three way marginal in 1945, it was Unionist (1945-1959), Independent Unionist (1959-1964 Liberal (1964-66), Labour (1966-1981), Social Democrat (1981-2001) and Liberal Democrat (2001-date)

and by the way while he was Liberal MP for the Constituency, his elder brother was the Labour MP for Enfield East from 1959 to 1974 later Baron John-Mackie of Nazeing

Anonymous said...

How old is John Freeman( MP 1945-50)

Philip Noel Baker who served in the same Parliament is a mere 87!

Chris Paul said...

Can we have a category for "most skeletons in cupboard" ex-MP? I nominate Cyril Smith. The old crock.