Richard Wainwright (politician)

Richard Scurrah Wainwright (11 April 1918 – 16 January 2003) was a Liberal MP for Colne Valley 1966–70, and February 1974-87.

Wainwright was educated at Shrewsbury School and then won an open scholarship to Clare College, Cambridge (BA History, 1938). While studying for his degree he developed his interest in the Liberal Party, as a member of the Cambridge University Liberal Club.

During the 1930s Wainwright was deeply affected by the social conditions in Britain; what he witnessed particularly on the housing estates in Leeds shaped his future political views. After leaving university he became a Merchant Banker, but later left the profession to focus on his political aspirations.

During World War II, he registered as a conscientious objector and joined the Friends' Ambulance Unit, a Quaker organisation, serving in Normandy in 1944, and Antwerp the Netherlands and Germany in 1944-46.

Wainwright stood as the Liberal Party candidate for the constituency of Pudsey in the general election of 1950 and again in 1955, but was unsuccessful on both occasions. In 1956 he became the Liberal candidate for Colne Valley. Standing there as a Liberal in 1959, the 1963 by-election, and 1964, he increased his vote each time until he finally gained the seat in 1966. At the following election in 1970 he was defeated by Labour's David Clark, but re-gained the seat at the February 1974 election. He retained his seat until his retirement at the 1987 general election.

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