John Ryan (British politician)

John Ryan (30 April 1940 – 26 March 2002) was a British politician, businessman and University Lecturer.

Student political career

Ryan was born in Scotland and went to Lanark Grammar School followed by Glasgow University where he obtained an Honours degree in Economic History. He joined the Labour Party in 1958, and was a member of the National Association of Labour Students Organisations from 1958 to 1962. He also joined the Fabian Society in 1961.

At the 1964 general election Ryan was Labour candidate for South Buckinghamshire; at the age of 24, he was one of the youngest candidates. He was on the Executive Committee of Paddington North Constituency Labour Party from 1964.

Parliament

Ryan was selected as candidate for Uxbridge, and managed to win the seat in the 1966 general election. He was the youngest Member of Parliament elected in the election, and held the title until Les Huckfield was elected in a byelection the following year.

In Parliament Ryan was distinguished by his rebelliousness over issues such as the Vietnam War, House of Lords reform and any accommodation with the Rhodesian government. He allied with the left-wing Tribune Group and was a Director of Tribune Publications from 1969.

Subsequent career

Ryan was defeated at the 1970 general election. He became a Management Consultant and associate member of the Market Research Society, and later took up a position as a Lecturer. At the time of his death he was Senior Lecturer in Management Studies at Napier University in Edinburgh.

References

• M. Stenton and S. Lees, "Who's Who of British MPs", Vol. IV (Harvester Press, 1981)
• Who Was Who

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by John Ryan