Richard Wainwright

Richard Wainwright (1918-2003) was a Liberal MP for Colne Valley, 1966-70 and 1974-87.

Educated at Clare College, Cambridge (BA History, 1938) he became a Merchant Banker. Standing for the Liberals in his seat of Colne Valley in 1959 and 1964, he finally gained the seat in 1966.

In the party's 1967 leadership election to replace Jo Grimond he was mooted as a possible 'Stop Jeremy Thorpe' candidate, but in the event did not stand due to his lack of parliamentary experience.

He lost his seat in the Liberal debacle of 1970, but regained it at the February 1974 election, and held it with a strong personal vote until his retirement in 1987.