Arthur Holt (politician)

Arthur Frederick Holt (8 August 1914 – 23 August 1995) was a hosiery manufacturer and Liberal Party politician in the United Kingdom, and Member of Parliament for thirteen years.

This article is about the politician. For the cricketer and footballer, see Arthur Holt (cricketer).

Arthur Holt
President of the Liberal Party
In office
1974–1975
LeaderJeremy Thorpe
Preceded byRhys Lloyd
Succeeded byMargaret Wingfield
Liberal Chief Whip
In office
May 1962 – 1963
LeaderJo Grimond
Preceded byDonald Wade
Succeeded byEric Lubbock
Member of Parliament
for Bolton West
In office
25 October 1951 – 15 October 1964
Preceded byJohn Lewis
Succeeded byGordon Oakes
Personal details
Born8 August 1914
Bolton, Greater Manchester
Died23 August 1995(1995-08-23) (aged 81)
Political partyLiberal Party
Spouse(s)
Kathleen Openshaw
​
(m. 1939)​
Children2
Alma materVictoria University of Manchester

Background

Holt was born in Bolton. He was educated at Mill Hill School and Victoria University of Manchester.[1] In 1939 he married Kathleen Mary Openshaw, MBE. They had one son and one daughter.[2] He played Rugby for Bolton RUFC.

Professional career

Holt joined the Loyal Regiment as a Territorial Army officer in 1938[3] and left the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers in 1964. He was company commander in the Reconnaissance Corps and was taken prisoner at the fall of Singapore in 1942.[4] He was twice mentioned in dispatches.

Holt was a hosiery manufacturer. With his two brothers he built up in Bolton an industry new to the town.[5] He was Chairman, Holt Hosiery Co. Ltd, Bolton, 1971–73.[6]

Political career

Holt was first elected at the 1951 general election, when he defeated the only other candidate in the Bolton West constituency, sitting Labour MP John Lewis. Holt was re-elected in straight contests with Labour at two further general elections. He was Parliamentary Chairman of the Liberal Party from 1952 to 1955. He was a Member of the Parliamentary delegation to Russia in 1954.[7] He was Liberal Chief Whip from 1962 to 1963. His share of the vote was halved when the Conservative Party fielded a candidate at the 1964 general elections, and the seat was won by Labour's Gordon Oakes.[8] He was President of the Liberal Party from 1974 to 1975.

Electoral record
General election 1950: Bolton East [9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Alfred Booth 24,826 45.48 n/a
Conservative Philip Bell 21,117 38.68 n/a
Liberal Arthur Holt 8,647 15.84 n/a
Majority 3,709 6.79 n/a
Turnout 54,590 87.46 n/a
Labour win (new seat)
General election 1951: Bolton West[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Arthur Holt 26,271 52.76 +32.30
Labour John Lewis 23,523 47.24 +2.62
Majority 2,748 5.52 -
Turnout 49,794 84.79 -2.76
Liberal gain from Labour Swing +17.46
General election 1955: Bolton West[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Arthur Holt 24,827 55.37 +2.61
Labour James Haworth 20,014 44.63 -2.61
Majority 4,813 10.73 +5.22
Turnout 44,841 79.05 - 5.74
Liberal hold Swing +2.61

[12]

General election 1959: Bolton West[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Arthur Holt 23,533 54.63 -0.74
Labour Peter Cameron 19,545 45.37 +0.74
Majority 3,988 9.26 -1.48
Turnout 43,078 79.72 +0.65
Liberal hold Swing -0.74

[14]

General election 1964: Bolton West[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Gordon Oakes 16,519 41.17 -4.20
Conservative Douglas Sisson 13,522 33.70 + 33.70
Liberal Arthur Holt 10,086 25.14 - 29.49
Majority 2,997 7.47
Turnout 38,346 78.15 -1.67
Labour gain from Liberal Swing -18.95

References
  1. The Times House of Commons, 1964
  2. (2007, December 01). Holt, Arthur Frederick, (8 Aug. 1914–23 Aug. 1995), Chairman, Holt Hosiery Co. Ltd, Bolton, 1971–73. WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. Ed. Retrieved 12 Apr. 2019, from http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540891.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-173192.
  3. Joyce, Peter; Egan, Mark (1998). Duncan Brack (ed.). Dictionary of Liberal Biography. London: Politico's Publishing. pp. 183–184. ISBN 1902301099.
  4. The Times House of Commons, 1951
  5. The Times House of Commons, 1950
  6. (2007, December 01). Holt, Arthur Frederick, (8 Aug. 1914–23 Aug. 1995), Chairman, Holt Hosiery Co. Ltd, Bolton, 1971–73. WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. Ed. Retrieved 12 Apr. 2019, from http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540891.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-173192.
  7. The Times House of Commons, 1955
  8. See 1959 election results and 1964 election results for Bolton West
  9. General Election 23 February 1950: Bolton East. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  10. General Election 25 October 1951: Bolton West. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  11. General Election 26 May 1955: Bolton West. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  13. General Election 8 October 1959: Bolton West. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  15. General Election 15 October 1964: Bolton West. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
John Lewis		 Member of Parliament for Bolton West
1951–1964		 Succeeded by
Gordon Oakes
Party political offices
Preceded by
Donald Wade		 Liberal Chief Whip
1962–1963		 Succeeded by
Eric Lubbock
Preceded by
Rhys Lloyd		 President of the Liberal Party
1974–1975		 Succeeded by
Margaret Wingfield
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