Gresham Cooke
Encyclopedia
Roger Gresham Cooke was a British
Conservative Party (UK)
politician.
He was the son of Dr. Arthur Cooke, F.R.C.S., senior surgeon to Addenbrooke's Hospital
.
, a representational role which he held during a difficult period for the UK
economy and motor industry until 1955.
for Twickenham
from 1955 until his death in 1970. No by-election
was held after his death, as the 1970 general election
followed only four months later, in which Toby Jessel
was elected as Cooke's successor.
.
His children, Rosalie and Hereward, both followed their father's interest in politics. Rosalie was a Conservative
councillor who led South Oxford district council
for a decade, and Hereward was the Liberal Democrat
deputy leader of Norwich City Council between 2002 and 2006.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Conservative Party (UK)
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
politician.
He was the son of Dr. Arthur Cooke, F.R.C.S., senior surgeon to Addenbrooke's Hospital
Addenbrooke's Hospital
Addenbrooke's Hospital is an internationally renowned teaching hospital in Cambridge, England, with strong links to the University of Cambridge. It was founded in 1766 on Trumpington Street with £4,500 from the will of Dr John Addenbrooke, a fellow of St Catharine's College...
.
Early life
Cooke joined the British Road Federation as secretary in 1935, later becoming Chairman if its Highways Committee. After the war, in 1946, he was appointed director of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and TradersSociety of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is the trade association for the United Kingdom motor industry. It "promote the interests of the UK automotive industry at home and abroad".-History:...
, a representational role which he held during a difficult period for the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
economy and motor industry until 1955.
Political career
Cooke was Member of ParliamentMember of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Twickenham
Twickenham (UK Parliament constituency)
Twickenham is a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-Boundaries:...
from 1955 until his death in 1970. No by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
was held after his death, as the 1970 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1970
The United Kingdom general election of 1970 was held on 18 June 1970, and resulted in a surprise victory for the Conservative Party under leader Edward Heath, who defeated the Labour Party under Harold Wilson. The election also saw the Liberal Party and its new leader Jeremy Thorpe lose half their...
followed only four months later, in which Toby Jessel
Toby Jessel
Toby Henry Francis Jessel is a British Conservative Party politician.-Early life:Jessel was educated at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and Balliol College, Oxford and was an exporter...
was elected as Cooke's successor.
Personal life
Cooke married Rosalie Anne, daughter of J.R.H. Pinckney in 1934. His grandson is the journalist and environmental activist George MonbiotGeorge Monbiot
George Joshua Richard Monbiot is an English writer, known for his environmental and political activism. He lives in Machynlleth, Wales, writes a weekly column for The Guardian, and is the author of a number of books, including Captive State: The Corporate Takeover of Britain and Bring on the...
.
His children, Rosalie and Hereward, both followed their father's interest in politics. Rosalie was a Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
councillor who led South Oxford district council
South Oxfordshire
South Oxfordshire is a local government district in Oxfordshire, England. Its council is based in Crowmarsh Gifford, just outside Wallingford....
for a decade, and Hereward was the Liberal Democrat
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
deputy leader of Norwich City Council between 2002 and 2006.