David Thomas Gruffydd Evans, Baron Evans of Claughton,
DL (9 February 1928 – 22 March 1992) was a British
solicitor
A solicitor is a lawyer who traditionally deals with most of the legal matters in some jurisdictions. A person must have legally defined qualifications, which vary from one jurisdiction to another, to be described as a solicitor and enabled to p ...
and
Liberal politician
A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles ...
. As Lord Evans, held the office of
Deputy Lieutenant of
Merseyside
Merseyside ( ) is a ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial and metropolitan county in North West England. It borders Lancashire to the north, Greater Manchester to the east, Cheshire to the south, the Wales, Welsh county of Flintshire across ...
. He was created a
life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the peerage whose titles cannot be inherited, in contrast to hereditary peers. Life peers are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister. With the exception of the D ...
as Baron Evans of Claughton, of Claughton in the County of
Merseyside
Merseyside ( ) is a ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial and metropolitan county in North West England. It borders Lancashire to the north, Greater Manchester to the east, Cheshire to the south, the Wales, Welsh county of Flintshire across ...
, on 24 April 1978.
Evans was born in
Birkenhead
Birkenhead () is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, Merseyside, England. The town is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite Liverpool. It lies within the Historic counties of England, historic co ...
. His family were Welsh-speaking, originally from Anglesey. He studied at
Birkenhead School
Birkenhead School is a Private schools in the United Kingdom, private, academically-selective, co-educational day school located in Oxton, Merseyside, Oxton, Wirral Peninsula, Wirral, in North West England. The school offers educational opportu ...
and later at
Liverpool University
The University of Liverpool (abbreviated UOL) is a public research university in Liverpool, England. Founded in 1881 as University College Liverpool, Victoria University, it received Royal Charter by King Edward VII in 1903 attaining the de ...
.
Over a period he served on
Birkenhead County Borough Council,
Wirral Borough Council and finally
Merseyside County Council
Merseyside County Council (MCC) was, from 1974 to 1986, the upper-tier administrative body for Merseyside, a metropolitan county in North West England.
MCC existed for a total of twelve years. It was established on 1 April 1974 by the Local Gov ...
, leading the Liberal group. He tried twice, in 1964 and 1966, to win a parliamentary seat but was unsuccessful. As
President of the Liberal Party in 1977-78, he played an important role in dealing with the fall-out from the
controversy relating to the activities of former party leader
Jeremy Thorpe
John Jeremy Thorpe (29 April 1929 – 4 December 2014) was a British politician who served as the Member of Parliament for North Devon from 1959 to 1979 and as leader of the Liberal Party from 1967 to 1976. In May 1979 he was tried at the Old ...
.
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References
1928 births
1992 deaths
Alumni of the University of Liverpool
Chairs of the Liberal Party (UK)
Deputy lieutenants of Merseyside
Councillors in Merseyside
Members of Wirral Council
Liberal Party (UK) councillors
Liberal Party (UK) councillors in Liverpool
Life peers created by Elizabeth II
Evans of Claughton
Liberal Democrats (UK) life peers
People educated at Birkenhead School
Presidents of the Liberal Party (UK)
Welsh-speaking politicians
Liberal Party (UK) parliamentary candidates
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