Christopher John Salter Rowland (26 September 1929 – 5 November 1967) was a British politician. He was rated one of the more effective of the Labour Party's 1964 intake to Parliament, but died at the age of 38.
Rowland went to Chesterfield Grammar School and then the London School of Economics where he obtained a degree in Economic Science. He then went to Corpus Christi College, Oxford where he obtained a Bachelor of Philosophy degree.
Student politicsedit
Having joined the Labour Party in 1946, Rowland became an active participant in student politics: in 1952 he was Chairman of the London School of Economics Labour Society. In 1953 he was elected Chairman of the National Association of Labour Student Organisations, a sabbatical post. He also joined the Fabian Society, for whom he became Treasurer of the Africa Bureau.
BBC produceredit
On leaving student politics in 1954 he was recruited by the BBC as a talks producer in the Overseas Service. In 1957 he was on the Executive of the Commonwealth Fund Fellowship to the USA. When he fought Eastleigh in the 1959 general election, he had to leave the BBC which was committed to political neutrality (his dismissal became a controversy); in 1960 he moved to the Booker Group where he was an Information Officer.
Elected to Parliamentedit
Rowland succeeded in winning the Meriden seat at the 1964 general election, a gain which was one of the last constituencies to be announced and which showed that Labour was likely to win an overall majority. He became Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministers of State at the Foreign Office.
Rhodesiaedit
In January 1966, Rowland travelled with two other Labour MPs (Jeremy Bray and David Ennals) to Rhodesia (which had just declared independence from the United Kingdom; albeit unofficially recognised) to see what conditions there were like, and meet some of those involved. Supporters of Ian Smith asked to meet them and so the three men agreed a time when they would talk; unexpectedly, more than 400 turned up and a rowdy meeting ensued. At the end, one of the Rhodesians attempted to snatch Rowland's papers and Rowland, while attempting to get them back, was forced to the floor, kicked, punched and had water thrown over him. Rowland was insistent that the Wilson government should not back down on confronting Ian Smith's Rhodesia.
Re-electionedit
Rowland easily retained his seat with a much improved majority at the 1966 general election, benefiting from his prominence after the Rhodesian assault incident. He beat Jonathan Aitken, the youngest Conservative Party candidate at the time. His BBC experience showed when he pledged to vote against the government if it decided to allow commercial radio.
In October 1967, he was taken ill on a visit to his constituency, and died two weeks later of pneumonia and pleurisy.
Referencesedit
M. Stenton and S. Lees, "Who's Who of British MPs" Vol. IV (Harvester Press, 1981)
Obituary, "The Times", 6 November 1967.
External linksedit
Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Christopher Rowland
christopher, rowland, priest, oxford, university, professor, theologian, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducin. For the priest and Oxford University professor see Christopher Rowland theologian This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations May 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message Christopher John Salter Rowland 26 September 1929 5 November 1967 was a British politician He was rated one of the more effective of the Labour Party s 1964 intake to Parliament but died at the age of 38 Christopher RowlandMember of Parliamentfor MeridenIn office 15 October 1964 5 November 1967Preceded byGordon MatthewsSucceeded byKeith SpeedPersonal detailsBornChristopher John Salter Rowland 1929 09 26 26 September 1929Died5 November 1967 1967 11 05 aged 38 NationalityBritishPolitical partyLabour Contents 1 Student life 2 Student politics 3 BBC producer 4 Elected to Parliament 5 Rhodesia 6 Re election 7 References 8 External linksStudent life editRowland went to Chesterfield Grammar School and then the London School of Economics where he obtained a degree in Economic Science He then went to Corpus Christi College Oxford where he obtained a Bachelor of Philosophy degree Student politics editHaving joined the Labour Party in 1946 Rowland became an active participant in student politics in 1952 he was Chairman of the London School of Economics Labour Society In 1953 he was elected Chairman of the National Association of Labour Student Organisations a sabbatical post He also joined the Fabian Society for whom he became Treasurer of the Africa Bureau BBC producer editOn leaving student politics in 1954 he was recruited by the BBC as a talks producer in the Overseas Service In 1957 he was on the Executive of the Commonwealth Fund Fellowship to the USA When he fought Eastleigh in the 1959 general election he had to leave the BBC which was committed to political neutrality his dismissal became a controversy in 1960 he moved to the Booker Group where he was an Information Officer Elected to Parliament editRowland succeeded in winning the Meriden seat at the 1964 general election a gain which was one of the last constituencies to be announced and which showed that Labour was likely to win an overall majority He became Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministers of State at the Foreign Office Rhodesia editIn January 1966 Rowland travelled with two other Labour MPs Jeremy Bray and David Ennals to Rhodesia which had just declared independence from the United Kingdom albeit unofficially recognised to see what conditions there were like and meet some of those involved Supporters of Ian Smith asked to meet them and so the three men agreed a time when they would talk unexpectedly more than 400 turned up and a rowdy meeting ensued At the end one of the Rhodesians attempted to snatch Rowland s papers and Rowland while attempting to get them back was forced to the floor kicked punched and had water thrown over him Rowland was insistent that the Wilson government should not back down on confronting Ian Smith s Rhodesia Re election editRowland easily retained his seat with a much improved majority at the 1966 general election benefiting from his prominence after the Rhodesian assault incident He beat Jonathan Aitken the youngest Conservative Party candidate at the time His BBC experience showed when he pledged to vote against the government if it decided to allow commercial radio In October 1967 he was taken ill on a visit to his constituency and died two weeks later of pneumonia and pleurisy References editM Stenton and S Lees Who s Who of British MPs Vol IV Harvester Press 1981 Obituary The Times 6 November 1967 External links editHansard 1803 2005 contributions in Parliament by Christopher Rowland Parliament of the United Kingdom Preceded byGordon Matthews Member of Parliament for Meriden1964 1967 Succeeded byKeith Speed Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Christopher Rowland amp oldid 1097420254, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
