Reference
X819/9/6
Title
Tape of interview of Tom Skeffington - Lodge by Len Holden a)1905-1945 Socialist because of belief in Christianity - could not see how you could be a Christian and not a Socialist, born 1905 at Woodhall, Askrigg, Wensleydale, Yorkshire, father a farmer, mother a Skeffington met at Scarborough when mother on holiday. Moved to Settle so Tom could go to Giggleswick later went to Westminster School. Despite advice of Headmaster, Tom does not become ordained. Tom was a High Church Anglican. 1928 joins Labour Party - no ructions with family, father's family had included Liberal MP, mother relation of Sheey Skeffington, Irish rebel. She was sympathetic. On Parliamentary list of candidates 1928-1945 issued by HQ became active in Leeds area, chairman of branch where Denis Healey fought first election as Labour candidate, just lost it (Pudsey & Otley) 1945. Organiser for six Northern Counties of public relations advertising and publicity Coal Trade, Union of Shop & Allied Workers, District Leeds, unlucky not to be selected for Coventry or a seat in Leeds (beaten by future Baroness by one vote)Joined Navy RNVR Officer 1941-1945. Still in Navy when candidate for Bedford - had to get authorities permission. b) 1945-1950 Friends in Labour Party had connections in Bedford - he is selected, friendly campaign, Clement Attlee spoke for him at huge meeting outside St Paul's Church, Bedford; Jenny Lee; unclear whether Attlee reference in fact refers to his visit to Bedford see 17 February 1980 Bedfordshire Times. During time MP supported by Jennie Lee and Barbara Castle. Elected Chairman of Christian Socialist Group of Labour MP's Peers (formed 1945 by Clement Attlee; on PCC for St Margaret's Westminster. Served on Food and Agricultural Group, Foreign Affairs Group (Executive Committee) attends Nuremburg Trials as Parliamentary representative with Hartley Shawcross (Labour) and William Shepherd (Tory) appalled by blanket bombing (had opposed it as had Archbishop Temple Archbishop of York - Skeffington-Lodge had arranged for him to preach at Scarborough Church during Labour Conference. Spoke in favour of German SDP; lectured in Belgium, Brussells, America and S Ireland.
Ireland: one of only six to vote in favour of unification of Ireland against three line whip - ticked off by Morrison. Attlee in private interview says Government could not publicly support unification because Germany used Southern Ireland's ports to torpedo food ships coming from America
Queen Mary opened Bedford Hospital when Tom MP - not invited to private assembly to meet her - written apology (wealthy Tories had organised the party) (See LL/SOC & LL/ROY) National Health voted in favour, felt Tories did not approve in principle, local sympathisers Grose Hodge, Headmaster; MP for Luton on board of Harpur Trust - A R Lee, Lockley (grandaughter now secretary of Constituncy Labour Group) Aubrey; Vicar of Bedford (Canon Patrick Hankey 1946 on)helpful - left in politics, special service at parish church; constituency surgeries held at Swan Hotel.
Germany: keen on renewed friendship - regular visitor to camp of German Prisoners of War in Constituency - helped ensure allowed to be entertained at Christmas by British families - friends. In favour of Russian solution of partition
Views of Leading Policians 1945-1951 Churchill very muddled headed toward the end, gave Tom a book about his political philosophy War-Time Coalition Attlee was in effect in control; way he dealt with relevant questions in a quarter of an hour. Concise and clear headed. Attacks sheep in sheep's clothing view of Attlee, recounts story of how Attlee's wife crashed car on way to hotel down long drive when they visited Bedford. Tom admired Stafford Cripps, personal friend, he also admired Ernest Bevin - disagreed over policy over Soviet Union.
1950-date Attlee called elction 1951 too early, financial position would have improved and Labour would have won. Tom lost Bedford because no Liberal Candidate - to last moment seemed as if there would be one. Christopher Soames elected Support for Labour From Beds Times nearly won York 1951 defeated by future Speaker of House of Commons.Partly responsible for getting Peter Parker to stand for Bedford 1951. Support from Attlee when Tom stood for Mid Beds 1955. Also from Donald Soper, big Liberal element.
Date free text
c.1974
Production date
From: 1974 To: 1974
Level of description
item