Author Archives: Owen Temple

Arthur Preece OBE (1928 – 2026) was a figure of both regional and national stature in the Liberal Party, and then the Liberal Democrats. He will be greatly missed by those he worked with and supported in the party, as well as by his nieces and their families and his Church, the three passions of his life.

Born in Sheffield, one of four brothers, Arthur spent a period in the Army from the age of 18, later moving into NHS service in 1954.  He developed his professional skills in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire before moving North to Northumberland  in 1967 where he eventually became responsible for managing ten hospitals.

During his time in Northumberland, in 1973 he joined the Liberal Party, immediately making an impact. As a public servant he had to act behind  the scenes, but nevertheless threw himself into supporting  Alan Beith, now Lord Beith, in his initial election and then re-elections as MP. Lord Beith has since described his role as “crucial”, noting both his energy and his attention to detail. Another Northumberland campaigner described how, after moving into a new area brought into the constituency by a Boundary Review, Arthur built up a small active group and, with his methodical, patient and determined efforts, enabled it to win a council seat. This in turn helped to pave the way to another successful re-election for Alan Beith in the Berwick constituency.

This model of campaigning, so fundamental to our party’s success across the country, stood Arthur in good stead when he moved to Hartlepool, itself not obvious Liberal territory. Alongside his colleagues they began to win more seats, with Arthur’s beloved ward, Fens, one of the first in 1988. Over time, he and his colleagues turned Fens into a stronghold of three councillors as well as preparing the ground in other wards. His efforts reached their zenith in 2000 when, having previously extended their reach, the Liberal Democrats won a swathe of wards they had never won before and, in a hung council, Arthur was elected leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, a position which he held for two years. During those 24 years Arthur was also twice elected to Cleveland County Council in 1989 and 1993, serving until the council was abolished in 1996.He also stood for Parliament twice, as candidate for Hartlepool in 1982 and South Shields in 1992.