Alan Beith

Biography

Alan Beith lives in Berwick upon Tweed.

His wife Barbara died in 1998 and he married Diana, Baroness Maddock, in June 2001. Alan Beith has a daughter; his son died in July 2000.

Alan Beith first stood for Berwick in the 1970 General Election, coming third. He won the seat with a majority of just 57 in the by-election of November 1973 which followed the resignation of Conservative Lord Lambton. In the two general elections of 1974 he held on by the narrowest of margins (443 in February and 74 in October). His majority in the 2001 general election was 8458.

Alan Beith has been a member of the Privy Council since 1992.

Born

20th April 1943

Education

Kings School, Macclesfield
Balliol and Nuffield Colleges, Oxford University

Previous career

Lecturer in Politics at Newcastle University

Current Responsibilities

MP for Berwick upon Tweed since 1973
Chairman of the Lord Chancellor's Department Select Committee 2003 -
Member of the Committee of Privy Counsellors on the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act, 2002-
Member of the Intelligence and Security Committee since 1994

Previous Responsibilities

Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats 1992-2003
Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesman 1994 - 1999
Member of the Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee 1987 - 1994
Deputy Leader of the Liberals 1985 - 1988
Foreign Affairs Spokesman 1985 - 1987
Liberal Democrat Spokesman, Treasury 1984 - 1987
Member of House of Commons Commission 1979 - 1997
Education and Fisheries Spokesman 1977 - 1983
Chief Whip of the Liberal Party 1976-85
Northern Ireland Spokesman 1974 - 1976 and 1982
Councillor of Hexham/Tynedale District Council 1969 - 1974

Languages

Welsh, French, Norwegian

Interests and activities

Chairman of the Historic Chapels Trust since 2002
Methodist Lay-Preacher
Boating, Music, Walking