Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

Rather like Michael Foot, Cledwyn Hughes, who was born 100 years ago today, was brought up in a strongly Liberal family but switched to Labour. Both made several attempts to be elected to parliament under their new colours and both were ultimately successful, having long parliamentary careers. On the face of it, as Labour after the war was never less than the main party of opposition while the Liberals and Liberal Democrats were never better than third-placed, it would seem to have been a far-sighted move driven by political ambition. However, it seems from a discussion between D. Ben Rees and Vaughan Roderick on last Sunday's Radio Wales political programme, that Cledwyn Hughes did not lose his liberal instincts and that he established and retained respect across party lines.