Hearty congratulations to the former Mr Beith:
Senior Liberal Democrat MP Alan Beith has spoken of his delight at becoming a Knight.
The long-serving Berwick-upon-Tweed MP becomes Sir Alan in recognition of his services to Parliament.
A former deputy leader of the Lib Dems and its predecessor, the Liberal Party, Sir Alan, 65, was first elected to represent the Northumberland constituency in a by-election in 1973.
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7 Comments
Warmest congratulations to Alan Beith also. I do not think that it has been noticed that during the present parliament he has passed become the longest continuously serving Liberal/Liberal Democrat MP sitting for an English constituency since his fellow Northumbrian parliamentarian, Thomas Burt, MP Morpeth 1874-1918.
(George Lambert, who sat from 1891 onwards for the South Molton division of Devon, had his tenure there interrupted by defeat in 1924, and although he recovered his seat in 1929 he was to become a Liberal National in 1931).
Congratulations indeed. The Guardian maintains its record for truth and accuracy by calling him a Labour MP. With some that might have been a cause for checking for recent defections not Sir Alan.
Actually my first ever canvassing was at his by election. After a Saturday wandering around the beautiful mist-enveloped Cheviots I went into the campaign office on the Sunday morning only to be told they didn’t campaign on Sundays!
Be warned, they don’t operate like that in Henley.
Thomas Burt was a Lib/Lab. (Although I congratulate Sir Alan Beith as a fellow old Maxonian)
Sir Alan Beith is living proof that the Conservatives don’t always recover byelection losses.
I remember that the University he was a lecturer at (Newcastle?) said they’d keep his position open until after the General Election – !!
A true Liberal and well-deserving of the honour
Splendid news, and long overdue.
Congrats Sir Alan, from both my mum and aunty’s who helped canvass at your first by-election and the following 2 elections. Well deserved. i’m pleased to be able to say your my MP and fellow colleague.
Steven Bridgett
Rothbury