James Wellbeloved
Alfred James Wellbeloved (29 July 1926 – 10 September 2012)[1] was a British politician.
James Wellbeloved | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Erith and Crayford | |
| In office 1965–1983 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 July 1926 |
| Died | 10 September 2012 (aged 86) |
| Political party | Labour Party (1956–1981), (?–2012) |
| Other political affiliations | Social Democratic Party (1981–?) |
Wellbeloved was educated at South London Technical College and was a commercial and industrial correspondent. He served as a councillor on Erith Borough Council from 1956, and was the first leader of the London Borough of Bexley from 1964.[1]
As MP
He was elected Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Erith and Crayford at a 1965 by-election following the death of Norman Dodds, whose constituency chairman he had been.[1]
In 1970, there was a discussion in the House of Commons as to whether to continue the practice of the rum ration, now known as the "Great Rum Debate". Wellbeloved argued in favor of continuing the practice. He had previously served in the Royal Navy.[2]
Wellbeloved served successively as parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to Defence Minister Gerry Reynolds and Foreign Secretary Michael Stewart, and was also a junior defence minister in the Callaghan government. In 1981, he was among the Labour MPs who defected to the Social Democratic Party. At the 1983 general election, he lost his seat by just 920 votes to the Conservative David Evennett.[1]
After his defection, he was referred to as "the inappropriately named Wellbeloved" by then Labour leader Michael Foot. Wellbeloved subsequently rejoined the Labour Party as a member.
Personal life
Wellbeloved married Mavis Ratcliff in 1948.[1] Wellbeloved died on 10 September 2012, aged 86.
References
- "Telegraph Obituary - James Wellbeloved". Retrieved 11 September 2012.
- Evans, Georgie (30 July 2015). "Black Tot Day: rum rations for sailors abolished 45 years ago today". www.telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2022.