Frank Byers

Charles Frank Byers, Baron Byers, (24 July 1915 – 6 February 1984) was a British Liberal Party politician who later became a life peer and Privy Councillor.

Early life and career

Byers was born in Wallasey, Cheshire. He was the son of Charles Cecil Byers (1888–1957), a Lloyd's underwriter, who was Liberal candidate for Westbury at the 1935 general election. He moved with the family to Potters Bar and was educated at Westminster School, followed by Christ Church, Oxford, where he won a Blue for athletics. At Oxford, he was president of the Union of Liberal Students and president of the University Liberal Club. His treasurer was Harold Wilson, later Labour Party prime minister.

Byers was also an exchange scholar at Milton Academy, Massachusetts.^[1] While at the University of Oxford, where he gained his degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, he met Joan Oliver, whom he married in 1939. They had a son and three daughters. Joan Oliver was a committed Liberal in her own right and was a constant help to her husband during his political career.

Byers was admitted to Gray's Inn^[2] after university but broke off his legal education to enlist. During the Second World War, Byers served in the Royal Artillery, rising to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and for a time serving on Field Marshal Montgomery's staff. He was mentioned in dispatches three times, was created a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour and was awarded the Croix de Guerre. In 1944, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.^[3]

Political career

In the 1945 general election, Byers gained the formerly Conservative seat of North Dorset, with the absence of a Labour candidate being a key factor in this success. In 1946, Byers was appointed Liberal Chief Whip^[4] and gained a reputation for hard work and effective organisation both in parliament and at Liberal Party headquarters.^[5] However he was unable to hold the seat in 1950, losing by just 97 votes to the Conservatives following Labour's decision to stand a candidate. He unsuccessfully tried to re-enter the House of Commons in 1960 at the Bolton East by-election.

On 22 December 1964, Byers was created a life peer as Baron Byers, of Lingfield in the County of Surrey^[6][7] and three years later he became leader of the Liberal peers. He was created a Privy Councillor in 1972.^[8]

Personal life

Outside Parliament, Byers was a businessman, a director of Rio Tinto Zinc from 1962 to 1973 and a broadcaster.^[9] He died of a heart attack on 6 February 1984.^[10] A memorial service was held in Westminster Abbey on 5 April 1984.^[11] His daughter, TV producer (Ann) Luise married Dipak Nandy, an Indian academic and politician. Luise's daughter, Lisa Nandy, is a Labour MP.

References

1. ^
2. ^ Wigoder (19 May 2011). "Byers, (Charles) Frank, Baron Byers". doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/30889. 30889.
3. ^ No. 36317. 4 January 1944. p. 149.
4. ^ The Times, 21 March 1946
5. ^ A History of the Liberal Party in the Twentieth Century, David Dutton, Palgrave Macmillan (2004) p.207
6. ^ No. 43522. 22 December 1964. p. 10933.
7. ^ The Times, 23 December 1964
8. ^ The Times, 3 June 1972
9. ^ The Times, 6 August 1973
10. ^ The Times, 7 February 1984 – obituary
11. ^ The Times, 6 April 1984

Further reading

• Douglas, Roy (1998). "Frank Byers (Lord Byers)". Dictionary of Liberal Biography. Brack, Duncan (ed.). Politico's.