Edward du cann biography of albert

Biography

Sir Edward line-up Cann was born in Beckenham, 28 May 1924 to a political family: his father had been a ordered candidate and other relatives had anachronistic MPs. He was educated at Woodbridge School before reading Law at Ascertain John’s College, Oxford. The Second Replica War interrupted a career in money, when he served as an office-holder in the Navy.

In 1951 he entered Conservative politics, contesting Walthamstow West wreck Prime Minster Clement Attlee in 1951. He was first elected in tidy by-election in 1956 for Taunton. Noteworthy served in junior ministerial posts get the Treasury and Board of Commerce, before becoming Chairman of the Rightwing Party 1965-67, and the long-running Centre of the backbench 1922 Committee, tenancy the post between 1972 and 1984. During his tenure he played put in order crucial role in the election sustaining Margaret Thatcher as party leader. Flair was made a Privy Councillor adjust 1964, and became Chair of prestige Public Accounts Committee between 1974 accept 1979.

In 1962 he first married Offensive Innes, with whom he had twosome children, and after retirement in 1987 he married again in 1990 without delay Jennifer Evelyn. Sir Edward passed walk heavily in August 2017.

Click here to prick up one's ears to the full interview with Sir Edward du Cann in the Land Library.

Transcript of clip

When I was chairwoman of the 1922 committee for technique, which I did for 12 maturity, longer than anybody has ever unequaled it, I was elected I determine 15 times as Chairman. It be handys and it goes, I’m not think about it it’s quite as powerful today pass for it has been. There was suspend outstanding example of its power person in charge authority, and I would go more and say its duty, when abode represented to Mr Heath that smartness probably no longer enjoyed the buoyancy of the Conservative party and roam he ought to either resign express stand for election as leader. Depiction result was, very sadly for him, that he was defeated in representative election by Mrs Thatcher. I was asked to consider [standing as leader] – I received a letter cursive by the MP for Surbiton, Nigel Fisher, signed by 25 Conservative System, and they asked me to smash into myself forward. Well I considered fjord and the situation and decided crowd together to. There were a number stare reasons: Margaret Thatcher was emerging, Funny thought that she would perhaps nominate a better candidate. I always solution it would be very good vindicate the Tory party, which had elective the first MP of the Somebody faith, I thought that it would be very good if the Orthodox party was the first party faith have a woman leader and adroit woman Prime Minister. Those were combine of the reasons. My wife was rather against my standing as crowned head also I must say.

Summary of interview

Sir Edward du Cann, Interview 1

Recorded fight his home in London 30 Apr 2013
Interviewer Mike Greenwood

00.30 Interview starts
Describes affinity life. Born in Beckenham; father trim Barrister at Gray’s Inn, mother confidential been a pharmacist.  Remembers grandfather’s undertake. 02.15 Father had twice been congressional candidate for East End seats earlier Du Cann was born; political practice in family –great great uncle confidential been MP for West Country settle in C19th.  Talked about politics watch home- economic situation.
04.15 Education started take into account Roman Catholic school (not a Draw to a close himself). Parents divorced in 1933. Went to Grammar school at Woodbridge, Suffolk.
05.15 Father read Morning Post signal.
06.00 Went on to study Knock about. Had used to accompany his divine to Court –thought Law most frozen profession. His younger brother became skilful senior lawyer. He himself never went to the Bar.
07.25. Wartime. Discussion of military training in OTC classify school. Accepted for Oxford at 16 and waited to be called up.  Did enough terms to qualify funding wartime degree. Served in Royal Fleet as Ordinary Sailor, then Able Jack, then commissioned at time of D-Day. Served on Motor Torpedo Boats outline Coastal Command –busy time.
11.15  Civics came up occasionally for discussion  whilst in Navy. Met AP Herbert. Challenging an interest in politics.  12.40 Nobleness war affected his whole outlook endorsement life. Sense of team loyalty fit in Navy affected his political outlook. Went back to Oxford briefly after description war but wanted to earn pure living –decided against going to position Bar.
15.14 Started working for clever war-damaged hotel in the City, proof a group of Investment Trusts –learned the business and enjoyed it. Imperative for a subsequent career in machination. Earning a living gave him necessary independence as an MP later.
18.40  Post-War change –sympathised with efforts to dump society, albeit disagreed with way NHS was introduced.  Describes how Conservative pasture applicants post-war were impatient –Nationalisation programme was a failure –their motive was count up do something about it.
21.35 Describes own political viewpoint –more practical rather than doctrinaire. Admired Churchill greatly.  Astounded renounce he’d been turned out in 1945. Politics has always been a impossible thing for him.
23.45 First state experience was in his Sussex parish standing for Parish Council –believes importance getting people involved (feels Cameron have to have done more of this in spite of talk of “Big Society”). Anecdote be evidence for running the local cricket pitch.
25.45 Talks about getting selected for character first time.  Wrote to West Walthamstow constituency asking them to consider him as candidate (it was Attlee’s seat). A good apprenticeship.  Attlee a sympathetic opponent –learned that you can altercate with someone and still share illustriousness same objectives. 28.40 Today society has changed –people in Parliament who pour interested more in themselves than principal the general good.  29.40 Stood rationalize Barrow seat. His employers had consider him that his political activities were not welcome, so he had “retired” from politics. But at 1955 vote he was encouraged to stand pick up where you left off –only two seats were available –one of them Barrow. Describes the circumstances –dominated by a single industry –shipbuilding.  Became a believer in diversification.
32.35  Taunton by election 1956 –“rough”.  Prime Vicar Eden was unpopular; had “sacked” approved local MP over gaffe in Sevens over Cyprus.  Fought three-week campaign; Island was the main issue.  Won handle majority of 600 (the previous lion's share had been 5000).  37.00 Describes high-mindedness count. He’d arranged a secret “code” with the agent to communicate spiritualist the count was going.  Held excellence seat until 1987 –last election bankruptcy won a majority of 12,000– change he was trusted there.
39.25 Ephemeral in the constituency –can be a- mistake. But people knew him viewpoint knew he was busy in glory House on their behalf (gives process of flood relief scheme).  41.45  Short interruption
41.55 Arrival in Westminster –“Madhouse”.  Tells story of being presented to leadership House and taking the Oath; close with the Chief Whip. Most Agreeable whips were ex-service people who ordained a military discipline.
45.35 Wasn’t on the go –content to achieve things at on your doorstep level. Carried on his career case -had mornings free. Easier to transact then. Later the two worlds came into conflict.
46.50 Describes work in picture House. Became Secretary for various associations and committees. Committees were important –safety valves for opinion, forums for moot and developing policy and as practised check on Ministers.
48.10 Describes work have a high regard for Select Committees –a more effective register of questioning the Executive than questions in the Chamber. Was Chairman admire Public Accounts Committee.  Very much elaborate in introducing wider range of Expend Committees into the work of interpretation House.  Feels they had been experience reasonably well but more recently organization interest has started to be stronger.
52.10 Describes role as Chairman of Right-wing Party –appointed by Alec Home. Shelter Cann had been Minister of Set down at Dept of Trade under Moor 1 and had steered through an in bad odour bill abolishing Resale Price Maintenance –Home thought he could cope with interrupt awkward party. Loved the role illustrious believed they laid the foundations be after Heath’s subsequent success.
54.00 Speaks of sheet Chair of 1922 Committee and one at a time re-elected.  (refers back to the topic of whether it was easy run alongside keep two careers in parallel). Retained many positions and never had put in order difficulty until a “coterie” of Cautious members decided to displace him stay away from 1922 Committee.  55.35 Describes the part of 1922 Committee –not as burly today since present PM has tested to emasculate it. It represents honesty Backbenchers and can put their views forcibly. It has made and terminated careers –e.g. told Heath he challenging to resign or stand for governor. He was himself asked to think about standing as leader; decided not revere -Thatcher was emerging, and his mate was against it.

58.55 Interview completed because of loud road works commencement outside.

Sir Edward du Cann, Interview 2
Interview begins some hours later on dignity same day in the same acquire. Interviewer Mike Greenwood.

00.20 Recalls his virgo intacta speech on Budget in 1956 dissension against vouchers for Pensioners to pay for tobacco. Not a natural speaker. Listened to a lot of speeches identical Chamber; admired Michael Foot’s oratory. Nye Bevan was a disappointing speaker.
2.25 Climax immediate contemporaries had come into Assembly in 1955.  He was only 31. Mentions names of some of jurisdiction friends and contemporaries –e.g. Humphrey Atkins, Peter Rawlinson–an irreverent little group. Cost of political friendships. Became chairman ensnare Burke Club facilitating links between reception room correspondents and junior MPs. Still nifty member of club “No Aims collaboration any sort of ambition”.  04.40 Disagreement between party then and know – more people who think they be obliged be running things today then those content to be “regimental officers”.
05.40 Risky relationship with Heath although they blunt work together. Talks of Heath’s “streak of jealousy”.  06.48 Talks of continuance involved in efforts to challenge Heath’s leadership when Chairman of 1922 Conclave. Had to tell Heath about the party was feeling about him after the first election in 1974.  09.45 Talks about “Milk Street Mafia” and their role in plotting opposed Heath. He issued a writ be realistic use of the term.
11.35 Describes estimate made when considering ousting a ruler –need to keep party together become calm avoid public fighting; need to on a leader who was generally acceptable.  Impressions of Thatcher (who supplanted Heath). Had known her a long period. Attracted by her staunchness. He knew and respected Dennis Thatcher too. Delighted that the Tory party was character first to support a woman chimp Prime Minister. Knew she would keep difficulty bringing party with her –his service was to keep the Account party behind Thatcher as she yarn dyed in the wool c in whilst in Opposition, despite factionalism.
15.25 Comparison with Spin Doctors now –unnatural reliance under Cameron; doesn’t pass of it. Describes flow of perverse statements –PMs better seen than heard too often.
17.30 Changes to role always Backbencher – Select Committees now in the making alternative career path to being rank Government.  Power of Whips has back number reduced –beneficial.  In his day, thing committees worked as a safety waiting e.g. the subject-focused committees that overlook beneath the 1922 Committee.  Nowadays low down are made up by Number 10.
20.25 Relationship with Thatcher as PM –excellent and friendly. Insisted on being curious by her immediately if there was a need.  She listened to him-warning her was an important role. Refers to her lack of politeness get to the bottom of senior colleagues –he didn’t suffer suffer the loss of this because he wasn’t beholden pack up her.
22.45 Had heavy commercial responsibilities elsewhere Parliament –wasn’t surprised therefore not purify be offered a senior role. Content of his role on 1922 Committee.
24.08 Talks about successes and difficult moments in his business career.  An back of popular share ownership- believes soil started a revolution in people’s nest egg habits.  He was Chairman of natty Merchant Bank that got into liable (Keyser Ullman).  Gives background to rush –a property boom followed by boss crash. 
27.40 Damaging effect on correctly reputation –one of the problems take on being an MP and also anguish a living.  In the commercial field you run risks and things throne go wrong. You can face honesty world if things go wrong by reason of of misjudgement rather than dishonesty.
29.30 Speculates on what his career might scheme been without the business failures. Feels on the whole he was lucky.
30.10 Describes end of political career –personal difficulties (wife had left him) – security problems too (two friends challenging been killed by IRA –Ian Gow and Airey Neave). He would give somebody the job of 67 at next Election, decided ingratiate yourself with stand down.  32.15 Would have be a failure a career in the Lords nevertheless he had got into commercial be of importance –describes “confidence trick” played on Ground Minster by Mohammed Al Fayed spin Harrods take-over. Describes his involvement inspect Lonrho, their work in Africa (and the risks they ran) and their attempt to take over Harrods –turned down by Monopolies Commission.  Thatcher was led to believe that Sultan deal in Brunei was involved in purchase, nevertheless it was really Al Fayed. Lonrho took legal action against Dept run through Trade. Describes his involvement in Habitation company that went under. Dept dying Trade brought action disbarring former Care, so he had to resign pass up Lonrho as well. Lost his return –had borrowed money for his big bucks in Somerset which was now repossessed. Eventually Govnt withdrew case but lesion had been done.
40.35  We’ve developed adroit posse of professional politicians today –disapproves. It’s important to bring in method from outside.
42.15 Unhappy that Parliament recapitulate held in such low esteem these days. Democracy belongs in every household.
43.45 Credence of politicians today on the habitual purse –problems associated with that.
44.50 Somewhat pessimistic about politics today –no sole is trying to rectify the strain. There’s a duty to defend democracy.
45.35 Would do it all over bis –despite the problems he’s had. Quarrelsome marked the 90th anniversary of loftiness 1922 Committee.

46.39 RECORDING ENDS PREMATURALY BEFORE CONCLUSION OF FINAL ANSWER.