Frank Byers

Byers was born in Wallasey, Cheshire. He was the son of Charles Cecil Byers (1888–1957), a Lloyd's underwriter, who was Liberal candidate for Westbury at the 1935 general election. He moved with the family to Potters Bar and was educated at Westminster School, followed by Christ Church, Oxford, where he won a Blue for athletics. At Oxford he was president of the Union of Liberal Students and president of the University Liberal Club. His treasurer was Harold Wilson, later Labour Party prime minister.

Byers was also an exchange scholar at Milton Academy, Massachusetts.[1] While at the University of Oxford, where he gained his degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, he met Joan Oliver, whom he married in 1939. They had a son and three daughters. Joan Oliver was a committed Liberal in her own right and was a constant help to her husband during his political career.

Byers was admitted to Gray's Inn[2] after university, but broke off his legal education to enlist. During the Second World War, Byers served in the Royal Artillery, rising to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and for a time serving on Field Marshal Montgomery's staff. He was mentioned in dispatches three times, was created a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, and was awarded the Croix de Guerre. In 1944 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.[3]

In the 1945 general election, Byers gained the formerly Conservative seat of North Dorset, with the absence of a Labour candidate being a key factor in this success. In 1946 Byers was appointed Liberal Chief Whip[4] and gained a reputation for hard work and effective organisation both in parliament and at Liberal Party headquarters.[5] However he was unable to hold North Dorset in 1950, losing by just 97 votes to the Conservatives following Labour's decision to stand a candidate. He unsuccessfully tried to re-enter the House of Commons in 1960 at the Bolton East by-election.

On 22 December 1964 Byers was created a life peer as Baron Byers, of Lingfield in the County of Surrey[6][7] and three years later he became leader of the Liberal peers. He was created a Privy Councillor in 1972.[8]

Outside Parliament, Byers was a businessman, a director of Rio Tinto Zinc from 1962–73 and a broadcaster.[9] He died of a heart attack on 6 February 1984.[10] A memorial service was held in Westminster Abbey on 5 April 1984.[11] His daughter Louise married Dipak Nandy, an Indian academic and politician. Louise's daughter, Lisa Nandy, is a Labour MP.

• Douglas, Roy (1998). "Frank Byers (Lord Byers)". In Brack, Duncan (ed.). Dictionary of Liberal Biography. Politico's.

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Frank Byers