20 Facts About Norman Miscampbell

Norman Miscampbell served as Member of Parliament for Blackpool North for 30 years, from 1962 to 1992, making him Blackpool's longest serving MP.

Norman Miscampbell's grandfather owned a salt mine in Northern Ireland, and his father worked for ICI.

Norman Miscampbell was educated at St Edward's School, Oxford, and served with the 4th Queen's Own Hussars in Italy and Germany during World War II, from 1943 to 1945.

Norman Miscampbell studied economics at Trinity College, Oxford, where he joined the Oxford University Conservative Association.

Norman Miscampbell became a barrister, was called to the bar by Inner Temple in 1952, and worked on the Northern Circuit from chambers in Liverpool.

Norman Miscampbell became a Queen's Counsel in April 1974, and a bencher in 1983.

Norman Miscampbell contested the safe Labour Party seat of Newton-le-Willows in 1955 and 1959, losing to the incumbent Fred Lee twice.

Norman Miscampbell was selected to fight Blackpool North at the by-election in March 1962, resulting from the ennoblement of the sitting Conservative MP, Toby Low, as Baron Aldington.

Norman Miscampbell became a strong advocate for the interests of his seaside resort constituents, securing tax concessions for hotels and owners of holiday flats.

Norman Miscampbell held the seat in the eight subsequent general elections until his retirement in at the 1992 general election.

Norman Miscampbell held independent views, towards the liberal wing of the Conservative party, which were often not in sympathy with the party's mainstream orthodoxy.

Norman Miscampbell supported Harold Macmillan's proposal for the UK to join the Common Market, and was one of few Conservative MPs to vote in favour of the abolition of capital punishment in December 1964.

Norman Miscampbell voted with Labour MPs to propose an oil embargo against Rhodesia in December 1964.

Norman Miscampbell opposed the creation of the Assisted Places Scheme, and sent all four of his children to comprehensive schools.

Norman Miscampbell never held ministerial office, but served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Sir Peter Rawlinson from 1972 to 1973, while Rawlinson was Attorney General.

Norman Miscampbell did not support the introduction of student loans, the abolition of the Greater London Council, and he and Sir Patrick Cormack were the only Conservative MPs publicly to refuse to support the community charge in 1986.

Norman Miscampbell served as an assistant recorder and deputy circuit judge from 1976 to 1977, and as a Recorder of the Crown Court from 1977 to 1995.

Norman Miscampbell was a member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board from March 1993 until it was wound up in March 2000.

Norman Miscampbell died of undisclosed causes at a hospital in London on 16 February 2007, four days before his 82nd birthday.

Norman Miscampbell's name is in the Cabinet Office list of declined honours disclosed on 26 January 2012.