M.P.s NICKNAMED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23691, 24 December 1938, Page 22

M.P.s NICKNAMED

"DONALD DUCK" "HENRY VIII" (From Our Own Correspondent) v (By Air Mail) LONDON, Nov. 24. Lady Luke held a drawing-room meeting at her London residence in aid of King Edward's Hospital Fund for London, when Miss Thelma Cazalet, M.P., and Miss Megan Lloyd George. M.P.. took part in an informal discussion on " What we think of the House of Commons." They revealed that two members have the nicknames "Donald Duck" and "Henry VIII," but they would give no clue as to the identity of the members. Miss Lloyd Geoi-ge explained that " Henry VHi" was so called because of his appearance only and for no other reason. Miss Lloyd George considers that women are still regarded more or less as curiosities in the House. The words " Strictly private," which are printed outside the women members' sitting room were, she thought, put there just as much to keep them in as to keep others out. STILL FRIENDS Miss Cazalet said that by far the best thing about the House was that politics never became mixed up with friendships. During a recent visit to Germany she had described to some friends how she had overheard a conversation between a Conservative and Major Gwilym Lloyd George, a Liberal member. The Conservative went up to Major Lloyd George and said, " I am awfully sorry, old boy, but I find I am booked to speak against you at a meeting." Major Gwilym Lloyd George replied, "Thai's all right, old fellow; I'll just go and look you out a train." NAMES! Of course, the matter could not rest there. There was a general demand for "Names." So further interesting informa'tion has become available. "Donald Duck" is an affectionate name bestowed on Mr George Griffiths, one of the most hard-working of the Socialist back-benchers. It is not often that a question hour passes ■ without an interjection from him delivered in a harsh voice remarkably like that of Mr Disney's famous creation. "Henry VIII" is Mr W. S. Liddall (Lincoln), and the description, as Miss Lloyd George was careful to explain, applies solely to his ample proportions. "GOLDILOCKS" AND "SNOWDROP " While mystery surrounds the identity of the nickname of " Dismal Desmond," there are many other nicknames about which there is no mystery, apart from such well-known examples as "The Welsh Wizard" for Mr Lloyd George, and "Winnie" for Mr Winston Churchill. Mr James Maxton, whose most distinctive feature is his long black hair, is referred to by some of his colleagues as "Goldilocks." and Mr Anthony Eden and his band of followers are known as "Anthony and his Glamour Boys." Mr A. C. Moreing, the 18-stone member for Preston, is known as " Tiny," and Mr C. Emmott (Eastern Division, Surrey), who is Gft 7in tall, as "The Lamp Post" "Minister for the Interior" has appropriately been given to Mr Bracewell Smith, because he is chairman of the Kitchen Committee; and "Snowdrop" is the name which has stuck to_Mr Ernest Brown ever since he promised new employment relief regulations " in the spring." THE FELONS' FRIEND The newest nickname is that given to Mr Vyvyan Adams, who has just successfully carried a motion for the abolition of the death penalty. He is now "The Felons' Friend." "Mr PUNCH" AND " TINSKIP " Sir Henry Fildes (Simonite. Dumfries) is "Mr Punch " to everybody, because of his endless fund of stories, and his twinkling eyes. Sir Thomas Inskip, Defence Minister, becomes " Tinskip." Mr W. S. Morrison. Minister of Agriculture, is " Shakespeare," or just " Shakes " " Heaven alone knows why," he says. Lord Cranborne, former Foreign Under-secretary, is " Bobbity," because he was called that at school. Mr R. A. Butler, his successor, is "Rab," as his initials make that word. Sir Kingsley Wood, Air Minister, became "Aunt Annie " —for on apparent reason, but it stuck. Mr Charles Williams (Torquay), who used to speak a lot, is still "Talkie Williams." Mr Noel Baker (Derby) is "The Professor." Lord Elmley (now Lord Beauchamp) earned the title of "The Prefect" from his youthful appearance. Lord Tichfield (Newark)— nobody knows why—is called " Chopper " or " Sonny." Mr David Adams (Consett), whose parliamentary style lacks the jocular touch, is known to all as " The Undertaker." Mr George Lansbury (Bow and Bromley) is " Uncle George," and Mr George Lambert (Simonite, South Molton, Devon) " Farmer George." SOME WOMEN, TOO! Miss Lloyd George and Miss Cazalet, school friends and parliamentary inseparables, may not know that they, too, have the joint nicknames "The Flappers " and " The Dolly Twins." The Duchess of Atholl, because of her advanced views, is " Red Katie." Miss Ellen Wilkinson is " Red Biddy," because of her auburn locks. She named Sir Kingsley Wood "Aunt Annie." A MAN'S VIEW Sir Samuel Hoare, the Home Secretary, also referred to the personalities of politics when he spoke at the jubilee dinner of the Chelsea Conservative Club. He is M.P. for Chelsea. "There have been great changes," he said. " When I got into the House of Commons nearly 30 years ago it looked very different from what it is to*-day. I was impressed with the fact that almost every member wore a frock coat and a high hat on his head during the parliamentary discussions. Now you have a sadly changed view. Yojui see people like myself sitting in the seats of the great on the Treasury Bench no longer dressed in that dignified costume, no longer either looking or pretending to look like great men." —(Laughter.)