Clement Davies

160 Pages·2003·11.788 MB·English

by  Alun Wyburn-Powell

'
CLEMENT DAVIES:
LIBERAL LEADER
Alun Wyburn-Powell
POLITICO ' S
· Contents
First published in Great Britain in 2003 by Politico's Publishing, an imprint
of Methuen Publishing Limited
215Vauxhall Bridge Road
London SWlV lEJ
www.politicos.co.uk/publishing
10987654321
Illustrations vi
Copyright © Alun Wybum-Powell 2003. Foreword Vil
Introduction xi
Alun Wybum-Powell has asserted his rights under the Copyright, D\!signs &
Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work. Acknowledgements xv
Chronology of Clement Davies' Life XVll
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
From Llanfyllin to Trinity Hall: 1884-1914
ISBN 1 902301 97 8 2 Seeds of Success, Seeds ofDestruction: 1914-27 13
· ~ 56~·'f·D3tg
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Creative Print and Design. 3 The Reluctant Politician: 1927-30 27
Designed and typeset in Bembo by Duncan Brack. 4 In Politics and In Business: 1930-37 43
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade 5 From Wales to Africa: 1937-39 65
or otherwise be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the 6 War: 1939-40 87
publishers' prior consent in writing in any form ofb inding or cover other 7 Kingmaker: the Norway Debate, May 1940 99
than that in which it is published and without_a similar condition being
8 Tragic Coincidences: 1940-45 111
imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
9 Greatness Thrust Upon Hirn: 1945-47 139
10 Discontent, Disease and Defection: 1947 - 50 169
11 A Party on the Critical List: 1950-51 187
12 Turning Point: 1951-55 203
13 Time Running Out: 1955-62 219
14 The Party Goes On: 1962 and after 245
Notes 251
Appendices:
1 Biographies of major figures 273
2 Census Totals for Montgomeryshire 's Population 278
3 Liberal Election Performance since 1929 279
4 Liberal Party Organisation in 1946 280
5 By-elections Contested During Clement Davies' Leadership 282
6 Liberal MPs 1935-64 285
Bibliography 287
Index 293
Foreword
Illustrations
by
Lord Hooson QC
Clem after winning a case at the law courts1
Jano kicks off Clem's first general election campaign, in 19291
Clem and Jano's children - Stanley, Geraint, Mary and David - in the late 1920s.
A
All except Stanley were to die at the age of twenty-four. 1 s a politician, lawyer, farmer and businessman from ~elsh-speaking rural
Wales, I shared much of a common background with Clement Davies
11 Vicarage Gate, Kensington - Clem and Jano's home in London from 1920
and, in 1962, I succeeded him as the Liberal Member of Parliament for
until the war. 2
Montgomeryshire.
Clem's car after the accident at Newbridge.3
I knew parts of the story of Clem's life, some of it at first hand from my own
Globe House, Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire - Clem's birthplace in 1884.2
contacts with him over fourteen years. I also had further strong links and sources
Plas Dyffryn, Meifod, Montgomeryshire - Clem and Jano 's home in Wales from
of knowledge, particularly through my late father-in-law, Sir George Hamer.
1924? .
He was President of the Montgomeryshire Liberal Association and a very close
The final meeting of the TB Inquiry in 1938.1
friend ofC lem's throughout his years in Parliament, despite earlier disagreements,
The Norway Debate in the House of Commons, 7-8 May 1940, in a photograph
shared by many on the Montgomeryshire Liberal Executive over Clem's support
taken secretly by Conservative MP John Moore-Brabazon.4
for the pre-war National Government and Munich. It was Clement Davies who
Route taken by the West Africa Commission in 1938-39.1
invited me to speak with him at Llanidloes in Montgomeryshire in November
Clem and Jano after the declaration in the 1945 election. Within days Clem was
1948 when I first met Shirley Hamer, my wife for the past fifty-three years, whose
unexpectedly to become leader of the Liberal Party.3
father was in the chair at that meeting. It was Clem who proposed the toast at
Clem arriving at Chartwell to discuss Churchill's cabinet post offer in 1951.1
our wedding breakfast in 1950.Another link was Mrs Garbett Edwards, Clem's
Clem in full fl.ow. 5
former Montgomeryshire Liberal agent, who became my agent when I became
Clem delivering a speech at the Cattle Market. 1
the candidate for the seat.
Clem with Lord Samuel, Liberal leader in the Lords. 5
However, only now, through this fascinating and enjoyable biography, have I
Clem at Folkestone the day he resigned the Liberal Party leadership in 1956.1
come to learn the full story of Clement Davies, especially the early years of his
The Two Clems - Davies and Attlee on a trip to Italy for the Inter-Parliamentary
life and career - those formative years which made the man.
Union.1
I was a schoolboy on a market day in Denbigh in the early days of the war
The author, aged two, at the 1959 election campaign, Clem's last election. 2
when I first heard Clem speak. He was appealing for funds to buy aeroplanes in
the 'Wings for Victory' campaign. He was a tremendous mob orator, but I felt that
he did not have the subtleties that I had heard a couple of years earlier in exactly
Credits
the same place from Lloyd George. Nevertheless, he made a great impression on
1 Photograph courtesy ofM r Stanley Clement-Davies
me and on his audience. His style went down well, evoking something of an Old
2 Author's collection
Testament prophet addressing his adoring followers.
3 Photograph courtesy of the National Library ofWales
Clement Davies was a tallish, distinguished-looking man of reserved but
4 Photograph courtesy of the RAF Museum, Hendon
very friendly disposition. His wife,Jano, was a very impressive, able, professional
5 Photograph courtesy of Liberal Democrat News
woman with a great deal of poise and style. Few families have suffered as many
vii
VI
Clement Davies: Liberal Leader
Foreword
tragic misfortunes as those that befell Clem and his family. Two of the sons and famous report on tuberculosis, his intention was set on shaking the country out
the only daughter died in tragic and unforeseen circumstances, each at the age of its supine acceptance of bad housing and drainage and poverty. He achieved it.
of twenty-four. I remember Clem's youngest son, Stanley, telling me many years When he organised Chamberlain's downfall, he was ruthless and determined in
ago of the sigh of reliefhe breathed when he achieved the age of twenty-five.The pursuing his objective.Again, he achieved it. He saw his leadership of the Liberal
family bore these tragedies with great fortitude, as far as the outside world was Party as an exercise in preserving the independence of the party for a younger
concerned, but the internal anguish must have been great. generation to take over with all the basic machinery for a national party main
Clem had a further private burden to bear. No one that I met in Montgomery tained.Again, he achieved it.
shire or elsewhere ever remembers seeing Clement Davies under the influence
In 1948, when I came to London to read for my Bar Finals, Clem invited me
of drink. He certainly had a tremor in his hand, and in my innocence as a young
to be a member of a strange body called the Liberal Party Committee - which
man I attached no importance to that, but nobody else seemed to do so either.
was, apparently, entirely nominated by the leader. This body effectively decided
He certainly did not appear to suffer from alcoholism as such. Nevertheless, it
and controlled the policy of the party. Some of the debates were, to put it mildly,
seems that he had a severe, though largely unsuspected, drink problem.
vitriolic. I would normally sit between the two captivating mistresses of the gen
Whatever his great difficulties, Clem was very successful in his careers as a
erally acerbic - but always charming - comment, Lady Violet Bonham Carter
lawyer and a businessman as well as in politics.Jano's instinct, I suspect, however,
and Lady Megan Lloyd George. They always chose to sit at the end of the table
had been initially to persuade Clem to adhere to an entirely legal career. As a
directly facing Clem. Each of them was very critical of him, but from entirely
commercial lawyer Clem was brilliant. He achieved the reputation of having
different viewpoints. In retrospect, as I look around that table in my mind's eye, I
the highest paid junior brief ever known in his day, for three thousand guineas.
cannot think of anybody else who could possibly have kept them together.
I know from my own experience that work at the Bar is stressful, and in Clem's
Without Clement Davies, I am convinced that the Liberal Party would not
case it contributed to his nervous breakdown. This probably persuaded him to
have survived the latter part of the twentieth century. Clem has to date been a
make his move into industry, where he became an executive director ofUnilever,
very underestimated Welshman and politician.A full and considered biography of
a post he continued whilst also in Parliament.
this very remarkable man has long been overdue. There is quite a story to tell. I
Clem also combined his business and political careers with the role of Chair am delighted that it is now being told.
man of the Montgomeryshire Quarter Sessions. He was assiduous in this role and
totally objective. I observed this myselfwhen I was instructed by Cyril Jones, the
Lord Hooson QC
doyen oflocal Labour solicitors, to represent a client in a planning appeal over an
Ilanidloes, Powys
enforcement notice concerning a car dump. The case was due to be heard at the
August 2003
Montgomeryshire Quarter Sessions, presided over by Clem. My client had one
unanswerable point oflaw in his favour, although the development in question
had no planning merit. On the journey to the court I expressed the view to Cyril
that Clem might take a sentimental view of the desecration of his beloved Mont
gomeryshire by old car bodies and that he would lose sight of the legal point, as
the magistrates against whom we were appealing had done. Cyril dismissed my
fear immediately:'Mr Hooson, you will see a different Clem. today.As you know
I don't share his political views, but there isn't a better mind than his when it is
focused, and when at the Bar, it is always focused.' He was quite right. Clem saw
the force of our argument immediately. The car dump remains to this day.
Contrary to a commonly expressed view, Clement Davies was not an ineffec
tual political leader. To regard him as such fails to take account of his undoubted
leadership qualities, as evidenced by his work in: three different capacities. In his
viii
IX
Introduction
T his is the first biography of Clement Davies. Clem, as he was always
called, never kept a diary and never wrote his memoirs; partly for that
reason, today he is largely forgotten. Yet but for him, the Liberal Party
might well have disappeared entirely in the early 1950s.And but for him, Winston
Churchill might never have succeeded Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister
in May 1940. History has so far failed to appraise Clement Davies. This book sets
out to correct that failure.
Clem was born during Gladstone's heyday as Prime Minister in 1884, and
died a few days after the Liberals' spectacular victory at the Orpington by
election in 1962. For most of his life, he was intimately involved in the fortunes
of the Liberal Party, leading it at the nadir of its fortunes, between 1945 and 1956.
Yet his career encompassed not only politics; at different stages he was a scholar,
ruthless lawyer, wealthy businessman, grand inquisitor, machiavellian operator,
independent left-wing politician, emollient party leader, establishment figure,
harsh government critic and farmer.
By nature, he was a restless, talkative, impatient and compulsive person with
a brilliant mind. His confidence in his own intellect, his ability to absorb a brief
and his courage in taking on an opponent, however grand or famous, gave him a
ruthless capacity to achieve a result. In law this was an end in itself, but in politics
it often meant that he aimed too high and was then dissatisfied with what he
achieved.As party leader he usually had his eye focused on the distant horizon of
a future Liberal government, and neglected to promote the achievements he and
his party had made in the mean time. He devoted too little of his time and talents
to the mundane tasks of running an effective party machine. His critics regarded
him as weak, erratic, ineffectual, a 'straw in the wind', and even, at ti.mes, a 'lunatic'
and a 'pathological' case. He once described his own leadership position as one of
'almost supine weakness'. Much of his career was spent in adversity, both political
and personal.
It is hard to reconcile all these different descriptions but, by tracing the story
of Clem's life, this biography attempts to make sense of them.
In doing so it provides the missing link between the dtamatic slide from power
of the Liberal Party between the wars and the obvious signs of revival under the
leadership ofJ o Grimond, Clem's successor. Had the Liberal Party been wiped
xi
Clement Davies: Liberal Leader
Introduction
out in Parliament, disbanded or subsumed into one of the other parties - as appendices covering concise biographies of key people, a chronology of Clem
seemed quite likely at various times during his leadership - the story of Clem's ent Davies' life and career and other background information on elections and
life would have still been interesting, but politically inconsequential. However, Liberal politics.
the Liberals' successors, the Liberal Democrats, are now a thriving political party Until now, Clement Davies and his achievements had been largely forgotten.
with over fifty MPs at Westminster, and the possibility of their eventual return This book charts the extraordinary life of this enigmatic and intriguing man.
to government cannot be ruled out. This book explains the role which Clement
Alun Wyburn-Powell
Davies played in ensuring the Liberal Party's survival at probably the most critical
Leamington Spa,August 2003
time in its history.
It also tells the story, much less well known, of how, a decade earlier, at the
nation's darkest hour, Clem secured the overthrow of Neville Chamberlain and
his replacement, not by Lord Halifax but by Winston Churchill. As Lord Beaver
brook remarked to one of his employees who, on hearing of Churchill's appoint
ment said 'Thank God!', 'Don't thank God, thank Clem Davies.'
Clem was a modest man, and did not seek wide coverage for his attainments;
many ofhis greatest achievements remained outside public view and went unre
corded at the time. Had his role in bringing Churchill to power been better
known, he might have enjoyed greater recognition and prestige, and possibly an
easier life, when he took over the Liberal leadership.
Clem announced in 1960 that he was going to write his memoirs, but
died before he wrote a single word. His son Stanley made a start on a biography,
but sadly was defeated by blindness after he had completed only about ten pages.
A number ofhistorical articles have covered aspects of Clem's political career, and
in 1975 David M. Roberts completed an MA thesis at the University ofWales,
Aberystwyth on Clement Davies and the Liberal Party 1929-56. Shortly after his
death, Clem's family considered approaching a number of potential biographers,
including Roy Jenkins, but these plans came to nothing.This is therefore the first
complete biography.
I had no special qualification to write the book. I never met Clem; he died
when I was four. My late father worked for the Liberal Party on two occasions,
but when I started writing, I did not know when, or even whether, he ever knew
Clem; my father kept no papers or diary either.
Once I had started on the project, however, there seemed to be an abundance
of coincidences which made me think that it was meant to be. I found a photo
graph ofm y father with Clem on the day Clem resigned the Liberal Party leader
ship. I also found out that Clem's wife,Jano, was once a teacher at the school in
Pembrokeshire which my mother had attended many years later.
I have tried to make this book enjoyable as a biography and at the same time
a useful reference book for students of political history. I have therefore included
XU
Xlll
Acknowledgements
Fi rst, I would like to thank Stanley Clement-Davies, Clem's son, who sadly
died in 2003,just as his father's biography was nearing completion. Even
in his eighties and virtually blind and deaf, he still had a pin-sharp memory
for facts, some of which he had not been asked to recall for over half a century.
Not only did Stanley manage to reprise conversations from decades earlier, but
he was also an excellent mimic and relived them with authentic accents and
intonation, bringing the characters to life. Stanley painted an honest picture of his
father as a real person; he did not try to hide his father's failings and has not had
any influence on what I have written. He kindly granted me access to his father's
papers and photographs, both at the National Library ofWales and those held by
the family. I would also like to thank Stanley's widow Joanna for making me so
welcome on my numerous visits to their home.
Dr Anthony Seldon, Head of Brighton College and author of numerous
books including Major -A Political Life, was the person who convinced me that
a former management consultant with a degree in geography but not even an
0-level in history or politics could actually write a political biography. He gave
me the confidence to tackle the project in the first place. He also gave me a useful
introduction to Dr Michael Kandiah and his colleagues at the Institute of Con
temporary British History.
I ~as lucky enough to be able to interview some key people who were active in
the Liberal Party during Clement Davies' leadership. I was particularly fortunate to
meet Roderic Bowen, Liberal MP for Cardigan for the whole of Clem's leadership,
from 1945 to 1956, before he died in 2001. Other former colleagues ofC lem's who
have been most helpful include Lord Hooson QC who, as Emlyn Hooson, suc
ceeded Clement Davies as Liberal MP for Montgomeryshire, the Rt Hon Jeremy
Thorpe, one of Clem's successors as leader of the Liberal Party and Dr Glyn Tegai
Hughes, Liberal candidate for Denbigh in the 1950s, who in turn introduced me to
Miss NancyTI1omas, whose association with Clem's family goes back well over half
a century. Lord Hooson very kindly agreed to write the foreword to the book.
Matt Cole, researching a PhD thesis on the development of the Liberal Party's
identity from 1945 to 1962, has been extremely generous with his time and infor
mation. I have also been given some useful insights into the role of the Liberal
MPs in the events leading up to the formation of the 1931 National Government
xv
Clement Davies: Liberal Leader
by Joel Rockhold from Birmingham University. Ian Hunter, who is researching Chronology of Clement.D avies' Life
for a PhD and writing a book on Sinclair and the Liberals in the wartime govern
ment, provided thought-provoking new insights into some of the events of 1940.
He unearthed documents which challenged the conventional view of Clement
Davies' role in relation to the Liberal Party during the war.
DrJ. Graham Jones, who has an encyclopaedic knowledge off acts and sources
concerning Welsh politics, has been extremely helpful in guiding me through the 1884 Born Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire
archives at the National Library ofWales and commenting in detail on the draft 1907 Graduates from Trinity Hall, Cambridge with First-Class Honours in
for this book. Graham's colleagues have also been very accommodating on my Law
many trips to Aberystwyth. 1908 Appointed Lecturer in Law at University College ofWales, Aberyst-
I am grateful to the Unilever archivists, headed by Jeannette Strickland, who wyth
hosted me while I combed through the company's board minutes and other 1909 Called to the Bar
documents. I would like to thank the staff at the House of Lords Record Office, 1910 First approached by Lloyd George to stand for parliament, but
for arranging for me to see the papers of Lord Beaverbrook, Earl Lloyd George declines
andViscount Samuel in their excellent reading room. I have also received valu 1913 Marries Jano Davies
able help from the British Library of Political and Economic Science, the British 1914 Directed to work on economic warfare; birth of first child, David
Library, Birmingham Library and Leamington Spa Library. Peter Elliott at the 1916 Death of father
RAF Museum in Hendon was very helpful with the photographs of the Norway 1917 Birth of second child, Mary
Debate in the House of Comm9ns in May 1940. 1918 Birth of third child, Geraint; appointed Secretary to President of Pro-
At Politico's Publishing, I am grateful to Iain Dale for agreeing to publish this bate, Divorce and Admiralty Division
book by a first-time author whom he had never even met when he received the 1919 Appointed Secretary to Master of Rolls
synopsis, and also to John Schwartz. Duncan Brack, editor of the Dictionary of 1920 Birth of fourth child, Stanley; buys house at Vicarage Gate, Kensington
Liberal Biography and the journal of Liberal History, has acted as editor for this book 1922 Death of mother
and has spent a considerable amount of time working through the text in detail 1924 Buys Dyffryn Hall, Meifod, Montgomeryshire
and suggesting numerous improvements and additions. I am very grateful for his 1925 Represents Lever Brothers in winning largest ever legal settlement to
objective and detailed input. Siobhan Vitelli.has been a meticulous proofreader. date
My wife, Ann, gave me so much encouragement and took a keen interest in 1926 Suffers breakdown; takes Silk
every stage of the research and writing process. She checked and challenged the 1927 Travels to Peru on legal commission; adopted as Liberal candidate for
contents of the book and, along with our son, Christopher, accompanied me to Montgomeryshire
obscure parts ofWales and London in the search for photographs and informa 1 929 Elected as Liberal MP for Montgomeryshire at general election
tion. It is a bold and loving move to encourage your partner to write a book, and 1930 Appointed Managing Director of Unilever; announces that continu
it is one which I very much appreciate. ation in politics not compatible with service on Unilever Board, so
I have tried fo make contact with anyone whose permission I needed to announces retirement from politics at next election
reproduce material. I hope that I have not overlooked anyone; if I have, I apolo 1931 Follows Simon and Hutchison to become supporter of National
gise and invite them to contact me. Government; in reversal of previous policy, allowed by Unilever to
I have thoroughly enjoyed nearly every minute of writing the book, and I am continue political career and still serve on Unilever Board; elected
very grateful to all the people who h1ve helped to make it possible. unopposed as Liberal National MP for Montgomeryshire in general
Alun Wyburn-Powell election
Leamington Spa, August 2003 1935 Re-elected unopposed as Liberal National MP for Montgomeryshire
xvi
Clement Davies: Liberal Leader
1937 Appointed to lead inquiry into the incidence oITuberculosis in Wales
1938 Sets off for four-month West Africa Commission
1939 Returns from West Africa; death of Son, David; meeting with senior
Nazi at whaling conference; loses confidence in Chamberlain; chairs
Vigilantes All-Party Action Group opposed to Chamberlain; resigns
Liberal National Whip
For Ann and Christopher
1940 Piays major role in downfall of Chamberlain and installation of
Churchill as Prime Minister; offered viscountcy by Churchill, but
refuses; offered junior ministerial office by Churchill, but refuses
1941 Resigns from Unilever Board; death of daughter, Mary
1942 Formal announcement that Clem had rejoined independent Liberal
Party
1943 Death of Son, Geraint
1945 Returned to parliament at general election as one of only twelve Lib
eral MPs; becomes Sessional Chairman of Parliamentary Liberal Party
1947 Becomes Privy Councillor
1949 Appoints Megan Lloyd George Deputy Leader of Liberal Party;Jano
suffers serious breakdown
1950 Returned to Parliament as one of only nine Liberal MPs at general
election
1951 Returned to Parliament as one of only six Liberal MPs at general elec
tion; offered cabinet post and coalition by Churchill, but refuses offer
1954 Inverness by-election; Liberal candidate scores 36 per cent of vote and
narrowly fails to be elected
1955 Re-elected to Parliament at general election; first election since 1929
in which Liberals do not suffer net loss of seats
1956 Resigns leadership of Liberal Party; succeeded by Jo Grimond
1959 Returned to Parliament at general election
1960 Announces plan to retire from Parliament at next election; Emlyn
Hooson chosen to succeed as Liberal candidate in Montgomeryshire
1962 Suffers serious coronary thrombosis; Liberal victory at Orpington by-.
election; dies in London Clinic aged seventy-eight
xviii
Chapter 1
From Llanfyllin to Trinity Hall: 1884-1914
G
lobe House stands at the centre of the village ofLlanfyllin, nearWelsh
pool in Montgomeryshire, in mid-Wales. It is a small white-painted
house, the downstairs storey comprising two small shops.A home-made
blue and white plaque is fixed to the wall; the inscription reads: 'This is the birth
place of Clement Davies 1884-1962,Leader of the Liberal Party 1929-1962'.
Part of the inscription is accurate. Clement Davies, always known as Clem,
was indeed born in this house, and did go on to become leader of the Liberal
Party, though only from 1945 to 1956. The dates given on the plaque represent
his period as a Member of Parliament.
Somehow, much of the story of Clem's life and achievements has become
forgotten or confused. This book will try to set the record straight, and explain
how the seventh child of the owners of this modest house in Llanfyllin went on
to become leader of the Liberals, achieving much else along the way.
Montgomeryshire, 1884
Nowadays, Llanfyllin has the air of a moderately prosperous village, on the route
from England to the tourist attractions of Snowdonia and the North Wales
coast. The surrounding countryside is green and hilly. In summer the village is
festooned with hanging baskets and planters full of geraniums and nasturtiums.
Neatly painted white lines delineate parking spaces on the road leading to the
small central square with its two-star hotel, care, bistro and restaurant. Modern
houses built in a vernacular style on the edge ofLlanfyllin fit well with the archi
tecture of the eighteenth-and nineteenth-century buildings in the centre of the
village.
In 1884 it was very different. Llanfyllin was a remote settlement stranded in
poverty-stricken rural Montgomeryshire. Take away the tourists and the cars, the
flowers, bistros and all the comforts and communications of early twenty-first
century life, and you are left with a clutch of small cottages and chapels, huddled
together around the horse trough. The houses would have been heated by open
fires; none would have had a bathroom. The village was two hours' cart-ride away
from the nearest town, Welshpool, and few of the inhabitants would ever have
travelled further than the nearest city of Shrewsbury, twenty miles and a day's
I