16 Facts About Ivor Richard

Ivor Richard was a member of the European Commission and latterly sat as a life peer in the House of Lords.

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.

Ivor Richard was lucky to keep his seat despite the swing to the Conservatives in the 1970 election, and he became an opposition spokesman on telecommunications.

Ivor Richard lost this job when he voted in favour of joining the European Communities in 1971, but was swiftly reappointed as a Foreign Affairs spokesman.

Ivor Richard found it difficult to find a new seat, as pro-Europeanism was not popular within the Labour Party.

Ivor Richard 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.

Ivor Richard played a role in trying to bring together the sides in the Middle East and Rhodesia conflicts.

Ivor Richard presided as chairman over the Geneva Conference on Rhodesia from 28 October to 14 December 1976.

Ivor Richard took responsibility for Employment, Social Policy, Education and Training.

Ivor Richard returned to Wales in 1985 and was appointed Chairman of World Trade Centre Wales Ltd.

Ivor Richard unsuccessfully sought the Labour nomination for Cardiff West losing to Rhodri Morgan.

Ivor Richard led Labour in the Lords during their final spell in their near 20-year opposition before the landslide victory in 1997.

Ivor Richard attempted to step up the Labour attack and in late 1993 pioneered an unprecedented 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.

When Labour won the 1997 election, Ivor Richard became Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords.

Lord Ivor Richard latterly served as chairman of the parliamentary Joint Committee on the Draft House of Lords Reform Bill.

Lord Ivor Richard died in Lambeth, London, in March 2018 at the age of 85.