25 Facts About James Henderson-Stewart

Sir James Henderson-Stewart, 1st Baronet, born James Henderson Stewart, was a British banker, Army officer and politician.

James Henderson-Stewart was a National Liberal Member of Parliament for East Fife from 1933 until his death, and was the sessional chairman of the Parliamentary Party in 1945.

James Henderson-Stewart played an important role in negotiating the unity of the National Liberals with the Conservatives, but was unable to persuade the Liberal Party to join as well.

James Henderson-Stewart attended Morrison's Academy in the town, interrupting his education to join the Royal Artillery and serve in the First World War.

James Henderson-Stewart left the Army in 1919, placed as a Captain on the Reserve of Officers, and went to the University of Edinburgh where he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1922 and a Master of Arts degree in economics in 1923.

James Henderson-Stewart was in the Territorial Army from 1921 to 1925.

James Henderson-Stewart's task was reckoned "a difficult one" and he again finished bottom of the poll.

James Henderson-Stewart finished as runner-up, some 13,712 votes from winning a seat but having put in a creditable performance.

James Henderson-Stewart obtained the support of the Unionists, although he faced opposition not only from the Labour Party and the Scottish National Party but the Agricultural Party and an unofficial Liberal who supported free trade.

Lord Snowden, the former Labour Chancellor, sent a message of support to the unofficial Liberal, which James Henderson-Stewart described as "little more than an ill-natured outburst",.

James Henderson-Stewart won with a comfortable majority of 9,135, and in his victory speech attacked the "wrecking tactics" of the Agricultural and unofficial Liberal candidates.

James Henderson-Stewart gained a reputation for diligent constituency work, among the farmers and fishermen of Fife, and soon after his election opposed a reduction in the grant to the Forestry Commission which he considered a false economy.

In July 1938, James Henderson-Stewart was vice-chairman of the Empire Development Conference which was held at the Empire Exhibition in Glasgow.

In December 1938, James Henderson-Stewart called for a determined and comprehensive approach to rearmament, and regretted that the Government had proclaimed its approach as limited.

James Henderson-Stewart was made the Scottish Whip for the Liberal Nationals in December 1942.

When Parliament reassembled after the election, James Henderson-Stewart was chosen as the Chairman of the Liberal National Parliamentary Party for the session.

James Henderson-Stewart increased his majority while the Liberal lost his deposit.

In December 1952, James Henderson-Stewart was accused of lying by the Labour MP John Rankin, angry that the Government Chief Whip had closed the debate after James Henderson-Stewart had spoken.

James Henderson-Stewart dealt with the early stages of the dispute between the United Kingdom and Iceland over fishing rights, when an agreement was made by which the Icelandic government agreed not to try to extend its four-mile limit.

James Henderson-Stewart was involved in a proposal for a River Forth tunnel, which he described as a brilliant idea but unsuited to the physical conditions.

James Henderson-Stewart left the Government when Harold Macmillan became prime minister, although he was made a Baronet simultaneously.

James Henderson-Stewart was created Baronet of Callumshill in the County of Perth on 28 March 1957; the Court of the Lord Lyon granted a warrant allowing him to change his surname to Henderson-Stewart.

In September 1957 James Henderson-Stewart denounced Frank Cousins of the Transport and General Workers' Union as "just another demagogue playing for power" when Cousins declared his opposition to wage restraint.

James Henderson-Stewart became chairman of the Appeal Committee for St Leonards and St Katherine's Schools in St Andrews.

James Henderson-Stewart was elected Chairman of the Scottish Unionist Members Committee in November 1960.