John Harris, Baron Harris of Greenwich
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The Right Honourable The Lord Harris of Greenwich PC |
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|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Henry Harris 5 April 1930 Pinner, Middlesex, England |
| Died | 11 April 2001 (aged 71) London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party |
Labour (to 1981) Social Democrats (1981–1988) Liberal Democrats (1988–2001) |
| Occupation | Political aide, politician |
John Henry Harris, Baron Harris of Greenwich (5 April 1930 – 11 April 2001) was an English journalist, political aide and politician. After serving as a local councillor and political advisor and aide to a number of Labour politicians including Roy Jenkins, he was created a life peer to become Minister of State for Home Affairs in the House of Lords (1974–1979). He became a founder member of the Social Democrats, becoming the Liberal Democrats Chief Whip in the House of Lords between 1994 and 2001.
Harris was born on 5 April 1930 in Pinner, Middlesex to Alfred George Harris and his wife, May. He was educated at Pinner County Grammar School before working as a journalist and completing National Service with the Directorate of Army Legal Services.
He became assistant editor of Forward, Labour's weekly newspaper, when it was brought to London in 1957, which was the start of his career in politics. He became the parliamentary candidate for Bromley in the same year, but resigned in 1959 when Forward folded and he became personal assistant to Hugh Gaitskell, Leader of the Opposition. Describing Harris' appointment, Tony Benn said that it was "the best thing that has happened to Hugh for years". He rose to become the party's Director of Publicity between 1962 and 1964. During the same period he was a local councillor for the new town of Harlow (1957–63), becoming chairman between 1960 and 1961 and leader of the Labour group between 1961 and 1963.
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