James Davidson, former Liberal MP for West Aberdeenshire, dies at 90 – Liberal Democrat Voice

The Liberal MP who tried to introduce a bill which would have given referenda to Scotland and Wales on devolution back in the early 70s has died at the age of 90 at his home in Newtonmore.

James Davidson represented the constituency of Aberdeenshire West from 1966-70 when he stood down for family health reasons.

His funeral will take place at St Brides Church, Newtonmore at 12 noon on Friday 14 July.

From Wikipedia:

Davidson was selected to fight Aberdeenshire West for the Liberals. During the1966 general election campaignone of Davidsons main policy points was the establishment of a development authority for the North East of Scotland (on the lines of theHighlands and Islands Development Board)and he was a strong advocate on behalf of small farmers and of improving communications in remote areas like the Highlands by improving road links to the major cities.He also campaigned for better air and sea links with Scandinavia.

Davidson was Liberal spokesman on foreign affairs and defence issues in Parliament, a particularly important brief given the ongoing war inVietnamand the arguments over Britains roleEast of Suez. In February 1967,he took a leading role in the opposition to the governments plans to raise fees for foreign students at British universities and introduced a Bill to give the people of Scotland and Wales referendums ondevolution.This was as part of the Liberal strategy to draw the sting of the increasing popularity of theScottish National Partyand re-establish the Liberal position on home rule all round with the Scottish electorate.

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James Davidson, former Liberal MP for West Aberdeenshire, dies at 90 - Liberal Democrat Voice