Difference between revisions of "Ivor Richard"

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|alma_mater=Oxford University/Pembroke College
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|birth_place=Carmarthenshire, United Kingdom
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|political_parties=Labour
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|description=British Labour politician, British Ambassador to the United Nations
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|title=Leader of the House of Lords
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|start=2 May 1997
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|end=27 July 1998
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|title=Lord Privy Seal
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|start=2 May 1997
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|start=18 July 1992
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|title=European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs
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|start=6 January 1981
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|end=5 January 1985
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}}{{job
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|title=British Ambassador to the United Nations
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|start=2 June 1974
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|end=21 December 1979
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}}{{job
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|title=Member of Parliament for Barons Court
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|start=15 October 1964
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|end=28 February 1974
 
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'''Ivor Seward Richard, Baron Richard''' was a [[British Labour]] politician who was a [[member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|member of Parliament]] (MP) from 1964 until 1974. He was also a member of the [[European Commission]] and latterly sat as a [[life peer]] in the [[House of Lords]].
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==Education==
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Born in [[Cardiff, Wales]],<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/mar/22/lord-richard-obituary</ref> Ivor Richard was educated at [[St Michael's School, Llanelli|St. Michael's School]], an [[independent school]] in [[Llanelli]], [[Carmarthenshire]], followed by [[Cheltenham College]], an independent school in [[Cheltenham]], [[Gloucestershire]], and [[Pembroke College, Oxford|Pembroke College]] at the [[University of Oxford]].<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/mar/22/lord-richard-obituary</ref>
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==Political career==
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===1959–1974===
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Lord Richard had been an active member of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] and the [[Fabian Society]] since University and stood for Parliament in [[Kensington South (UK Parliament constituency)|Kensington South]] in the [[1959 United Kingdom general election|general election of 1959]]. This was one of the most prosperous constituencies in the whole of the country and he came third, but it was intended as no more than an opportunity to try his campaigning skills. For the [[1964 United Kingdom general election|1964 election]], Richard was adopted as candidate for [[Baron's Court (UK Parliament constituency)|Baron's Court]], a highly marginal constituency between [[Hammersmith]] and [[Fulham]]. Baron's Court had seen knife-edge contests before and the presence of the [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] television centre nearby ensured good media coverage.
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Richard won the seat by just over 1,000 votes. In Parliament he served briefly as an assistant to [[Denis Healey]] as [[Secretary of State for Defence]] and was appointed as Minister for the Army in 1969. He was lucky to keep his seat despite the swing to the Conservatives in the 1970 election, and he became an opposition spokesman on telecommunications. He lost this job when he voted in favour of joining the [[European Union|European Communities (Common Market)]] in 1971, but was swiftly reappointed as a Foreign Affairs spokesman.
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However, the Baron's Court seat was too small to survive the redistribution which took effect in 1974 and Richard found it difficult to find a new seat, as [[pro-Europeanism]] was not popular within the Labour Party. He was eventually chosen at the last minute to fight [[Blyth (UK Parliament constituency)|Blyth]] against the sitting Labour MP who had been deselected in a row over his allegations of the corruption of the local Labour Party. With no background in the area, and a popular opponent, Richard was defeated convincingly.
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===1974–1985===
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The incoming Labour Government appointed him in June 1974 as the UK Permanent Representative to the UN, where he served for five years. Richard played a role in trying to bring together the sides in the Middle East and Rhodesia conflicts.<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=ZaYOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA264</ref> He became a figure of controversy after the then US Ambassador, [[Daniel Patrick Moynihan]], criticised the UN for passing a resolution stating that [[Zionism]] was a form of racism, and Richard denounced him for behaving "like the [[Wyatt Earp]] of international politics"; shortly thereafter Moynihan was removed from office by [[Henry Kissinger]].
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Richard presided as chairman over the [[Geneva Conference (1976)|Geneva Conference]] on [[Rhodesia]] from 28 October to 14 December 1976. The conference was called to implement the terms of Henry Kissinger's agreement with [[Prime Minister of Rhodesia|Prime Minister]] [[Ian Smith]] of Rhodesia from the previous month on the creation of an interim government to preside while a new majority-rule constitution was written.<ref>Smith, Ian (2008) [1997]. Bitter Harvest: Zimbabwe and the Aftermath of Its Independence. London: John Blake Publishing, p 212–213</ref> But the various African nationalists from Rhodesia refused to recognise the agreement and no progress was made during the six weeks of the conference. Smith was scathing in his treatment of Richard in his memoirs, citing Richard's "lack of integrity and courage" in failing to hold to the terms of the Kissinger agreement.<ref>Smith, Ian (2008) [1997]. Bitter Harvest: Zimbabwe and the Aftermath of Its Independence. London: John Blake Publishing, p 222</ref>.
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The incoming Conservative government in 1979 replaced Richard within months. However, in 1980 he was chosen by the Labour Party to take one of the posts on the European Commission (replacing [[Roy Jenkins]]). It was known that he was the Labour Party's third choice for the position: former Treasury Minister [[Joel Barnett]] had rejected an invitation, and former Defence Secretary [[Fred Mulley]] had been vetoed by the Conservative government. Richard took responsibility for Employment, Social Policy, Education and Training.
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===After 1985===
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Richard returned to Wales in 1985 and was appointed Chairman of World Trade Centre Wales Ltd., which tried to attract international investors for Welsh business. In 1990, his name was included on a list of Labour Party 'Working Peers', and was created a [[life peer]] on 14 May 1990 taking the title '''Baron Richard''', of [[Ammanford]] in the [[Dyfed|County of Dyfed]]<ref>https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/52141/page/9287</ref> and became an opposition spokesman in the [[House of Lords]]. His barrister's style led to his appointment as Leader of the Labour Peers from 1992, which brought with it appointment to the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]]. Richard led Labour in the Lords during their final spell in their near 20-year opposition before the landslide victory in 1997. Richard attempted to step up the Labour attack and in late 1993 pioneered an unprecedented (for the House of Lords) [[Motion of No Confidence]] in the Government, although he acknowledged it was a symbolic gesture and would not bring down the government, due to the primacy of the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]].<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20121226174754/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1993/dec/01/government-policies-confidence </ref>
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When Labour won the 1997 election, Richard became [[Lord Privy Seal]] and [[Leader of the House of Lords]]. With Labour policy favouring a reform of the House starting with removal of the [[hereditary peer]]s, Richard began work on the new composition of the House, but was shocked when he was suddenly removed at the first reshuffle in July 1998 to be replaced by [[Margaret Jay, Baroness Jay of Paddington|Baroness Jay of Paddington]]. His thoughts on the reform of the House were published in ''Unfinished Business'' in 1999 and Richard became a [[critical friend]] of the Government.
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Lord Richard latterly served as Chairman of the parliamentary Joint Committee on the Draft House of Lords Reform Bill.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20111103184709/http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/draft-house-of-lords-reform-bill/publications/</ref>
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==Death==
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Lord Richard died in March 2018 at the age of 85.<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-43461961</ref>
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==Richard Commission==
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The Coalition Government in the [[National Assembly for Wales]] invited Richard to chair a [[Richard Commission|commission]] on the future powers of the Assembly from 2002. The report was published on 31 March 2004 and recommended that the Assembly have full primary legislative powers in devolved areas from 2011, a recommendation that was controversial with Wales' Labour MPs.
 
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Latest revision as of 17:18, 30 August 2023

Person.png Ivor Richard  Rdf-entity.pngRdf-icon.png
(politician)
IS (Ivor) Richard.jpeg
Born1932-05-30
Carmarthenshire, United Kingdom
Died18 March, 2018 (Age 85)
Alma materOxford University/Pembroke College
PartyLabour
British Labour politician, British Ambassador to the United Nations

Employment.png Leader of the House of Lords Wikipedia-icon.png

In office
2 May 1997 - 27 July 1998
Preceded byRobert Gascoyne-Cecil

Employment.png Lord Privy Seal Wikipedia-icon.png

In office
2 May 1997 - 27 July 1998
Preceded byRobert Gascoyne-Cecil

Employment.png British Ambassador to the United Nations

In office
2 June 1974 - 21 December 1979

Employment.png Member of Parliament for Barons Court

In office
15 October 1964 - 28 February 1974

Ivor Seward Richard, Baron Richard was a British Labour politician who was a member of Parliament (MP) from 1964 until 1974. He was also a member of the European Commission and latterly sat as a life peer in the House of Lords.

Education

Born in Cardiff, Wales,[1] Ivor Richard was educated at St. Michael's School, an independent school in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, followed by Cheltenham College, an independent school in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and Pembroke College at the University of Oxford.[2]

Political career

1959–1974

Lord Richard had been an active member of the Labour Party and the Fabian Society since University and stood for Parliament in Kensington South in the general election of 1959. This was one of the most prosperous constituencies in the whole of the country and he came third, but it was intended as no more than an opportunity to try his campaigning skills. For the 1964 election, Richard was adopted as candidate for Baron's Court, a highly marginal constituency between Hammersmith and Fulham. Baron's Court had seen knife-edge contests before and the presence of the BBC television centre nearby ensured good media coverage.

Richard won the seat by just over 1,000 votes. In Parliament he served briefly as an assistant to Denis Healey as Secretary of State for Defence and was appointed as Minister for the Army in 1969. He was lucky to keep his seat despite the swing to the Conservatives in the 1970 election, and he became an opposition spokesman on telecommunications. He lost this job when he voted in favour of joining the European Communities (Common Market) in 1971, but was swiftly reappointed as a Foreign Affairs spokesman.

However, the Baron's Court seat was too small to survive the redistribution which took effect in 1974 and Richard found it difficult to find a new seat, as pro-Europeanism was not popular within the Labour Party. He was eventually chosen at the last minute to fight Blyth against the sitting Labour MP who had been deselected in a row over his allegations of the corruption of the local Labour Party. With no background in the area, and a popular opponent, Richard was defeated convincingly.

1974–1985

The incoming Labour Government appointed him in June 1974 as the UK Permanent Representative to the UN, where he served for five years. Richard played a role in trying to bring together the sides in the Middle East and Rhodesia conflicts.[3] He became a figure of controversy after the then US Ambassador, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, criticised the UN for passing a resolution stating that Zionism was a form of racism, and Richard denounced him for behaving "like the Wyatt Earp of international politics"; shortly thereafter Moynihan was removed from office by Henry Kissinger.

Richard presided as chairman over the Geneva Conference on Rhodesia from 28 October to 14 December 1976. The conference was called to implement the terms of Henry Kissinger's agreement with Prime Minister Ian Smith of Rhodesia from the previous month on the creation of an interim government to preside while a new majority-rule constitution was written.[4] But the various African nationalists from Rhodesia refused to recognise the agreement and no progress was made during the six weeks of the conference. Smith was scathing in his treatment of Richard in his memoirs, citing Richard's "lack of integrity and courage" in failing to hold to the terms of the Kissinger agreement.[5].

The incoming Conservative government in 1979 replaced Richard within months. However, in 1980 he was chosen by the Labour Party to take one of the posts on the European Commission (replacing Roy Jenkins). It was known that he was the Labour Party's third choice for the position: former Treasury Minister Joel Barnett had rejected an invitation, and former Defence Secretary Fred Mulley had been vetoed by the Conservative government. Richard took responsibility for Employment, Social Policy, Education and Training.

After 1985

Richard returned to Wales in 1985 and was appointed Chairman of World Trade Centre Wales Ltd., which tried to attract international investors for Welsh business. In 1990, his name was included on a list of Labour Party 'Working Peers', and was created a life peer on 14 May 1990 taking the title Baron Richard, of Ammanford in the County of Dyfed[6] and became an opposition spokesman in the House of Lords. His barrister's style led to his appointment as Leader of the Labour Peers from 1992, which brought with it appointment to the Privy Council. Richard led Labour in the Lords during their final spell in their near 20-year opposition before the landslide victory in 1997. Richard attempted to step up the Labour attack and in late 1993 pioneered an unprecedented (for the House of Lords) Motion of No Confidence in the Government, although he acknowledged it was a symbolic gesture and would not bring down the government, due to the primacy of the House of Commons.[7]

When Labour won the 1997 election, Richard became Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords. With Labour policy favouring a reform of the House starting with removal of the hereditary peers, Richard began work on the new composition of the House, but was shocked when he was suddenly removed at the first reshuffle in July 1998 to be replaced by Baroness Jay of Paddington. His thoughts on the reform of the House were published in Unfinished Business in 1999 and Richard became a critical friend of the Government.

Lord Richard latterly served as Chairman of the parliamentary Joint Committee on the Draft House of Lords Reform Bill.[8]

Death

Lord Richard died in March 2018 at the age of 85.[9]

Richard Commission

The Coalition Government in the National Assembly for Wales invited Richard to chair a commission on the future powers of the Assembly from 2002. The report was published on 31 March 2004 and recommended that the Assembly have full primary legislative powers in devolved areas from 2011, a recommendation that was controversial with Wales' Labour MPs.

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/mar/22/lord-richard-obituary
  2. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/mar/22/lord-richard-obituary
  3. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=ZaYOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA264
  4. ↑ Smith, Ian (2008) [1997]. Bitter Harvest: Zimbabwe and the Aftermath of Its Independence. London: John Blake Publishing, p 212–213
  5. ↑ Smith, Ian (2008) [1997]. Bitter Harvest: Zimbabwe and the Aftermath of Its Independence. London: John Blake Publishing, p 222
  6. ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/52141/page/9287
  7. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20121226174754/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1993/dec/01/government-policies-confidence
  8. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20111103184709/http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/draft-house-of-lords-reform-bill/publications/
  9. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-43461961
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