Colin Coote

Sir Colin Reith Coote, DSO (19 October 1893 – 8 June 1979) was a British journalist and Liberal politician. For fourteen years he was the editor of the Daily Telegraph.

He was born in Fenstanton, Huntingdonshire. He was the son of Howard Browning Coote of Stukeley Hall, later Lord Lieutenant of Huntingdonshire, and Jean née Reith of Aberdeen. He was educated at Rugby School and Balliol College, Oxford, graduating in 1914. On the outbreak of war he obtained a commission in the Gloucestershire Regiment. He served in France and Italy, and was forced to return to the United Kingdom, having been wounded and gassed. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1918.

In November 1917 the sitting Liberal member of parliament for Wisbech, Neil James Archibald Primrose, was killed in action. Coote was chosen as the Liberal candidate for the seat, and due to a war-time pact between the parties, was also nominated by the local Conservative and Unionist Association. Accordingly, he was elected unopposed to the Commons on 14 December 1917.

A general election was held in 1918. Constituencies were completely reorganised by the Representation of the People Act 1918, and the Wisbech seat became part of the new Isle of Ely division. Coote was returned as MP for the Isle, again unopposed.

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