Patrick Berkeley Moynihan, 2nd Baron Moynihan
Encyclopedia
Patrick Berkeley Moynihan (29 July 1906–30 April 1965) was a British
politician
and noble.
Moynihan studied law
and became a barrister
at Lincoln's Inn
. He then became a stockbroker, moving to New York
, where he was active during the Wall Street Crash, then joined the New York Stock Exchange
in 1932. In 1931, he married Irene Candy, although the two divorced in 1952. He succeeded his father as Baron Moynihan
in 1936. He also followed his father in taking the Liberal Party
whip in the House of Lords
. By 1947, he was the treasurer of the party, and commented that he believed that the Labour Party
's social reforms were close to the spirit of the Liberals, but that they ignored the individual. In 1949, he became the party chairman. His time as chairman was dominated by the 1950 UK general election, and a dispute with the Conservative Party
, who ran National Liberal Party
candidates under the label "Liberal and Conservative".
In February 1950, an object hit Moynihan's car while he was driving in Epping Forest
. He claimed that it might have been a bullet
, although he was unable to prove this. In 1950 and 1951, Moynihan served as President of the National Union of Liberal Clubs, and he again became the party treasurer. In 1952, he married June Hopkins, a dance teacher.
Long a friend of Edward Martell
, in 1956, Moynihan was a founder member of his People's League for the Defence of Freedom, which claimed to combat the "tyranny of trade union
s". The new organisation was opposed by the Executive of the Liberal Party, which were concerned that it was contemplating standing rival political candidates, and also opposed its calls for strikebreaking. The People's League became the National Fellowship
, which opposed immigration
and entry to the Common Market. Because of his support for the new organisation, in 1962, Moynihan was removed as a vice-president of the Yorkshire Area Liberal Federation. In 1963, Moynihan finally resigned from the Liberal Party, citing his membership of Martell's latest organisation, the Freedom Group, which actively supported Conservative candidates. However, in 1964, he began disassociating himself from Martell, resigning his posts in Martell's organisations by early 1965.
In April 1965, Moynihan was charged with "persistently importuning for an immoral purpose". He was taken ill and died a few days before he was due to appear at Bow Street Magistrates' Court
.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and noble.
Moynihan studied law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
and became a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
at Lincoln's Inn
Lincoln's Inn
The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn. Although Lincoln's Inn is able to trace its official records beyond...
. He then became a stockbroker, moving to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where he was active during the Wall Street Crash, then joined the New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
The New York Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located at 11 Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, New York City, USA. It is by far the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization of its listed companies at 13.39 trillion as of Dec 2010...
in 1932. In 1931, he married Irene Candy, although the two divorced in 1952. He succeeded his father as Baron Moynihan
Baron Moynihan
Baron Moynihan, of Leeds in the County of York, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 19 March 1929 for the surgeon Sir Berkeley Moynihan, 1st Baronet, the son of the Victoria Cross recipient Andrew Moynihan. Sir Berkeley had already been created a Baronet, of Carr...
in 1936. He also followed his father in taking the Liberal Party
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
whip in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. By 1947, he was the treasurer of the party, and commented that he believed that the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
's social reforms were close to the spirit of the Liberals, but that they ignored the individual. In 1949, he became the party chairman. His time as chairman was dominated by the 1950 UK general election, and a dispute with the Conservative Party
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...
, who ran National Liberal Party
National Liberal Party (UK, 1931)
The National Liberal Party, known until 1948 as the Liberal National Party, was a liberal political party in the United Kingdom from 1931 to 1968...
candidates under the label "Liberal and Conservative".
In February 1950, an object hit Moynihan's car while he was driving in Epping Forest
Epping Forest
Epping Forest is an area of ancient woodland in south-east England, straddling the border between north-east Greater London and Essex. It is a former royal forest, and is managed by the City of London Corporation....
. He claimed that it might have been a bullet
Bullet
A bullet is a projectile propelled by a firearm, sling, or air gun. Bullets do not normally contain explosives, but damage the intended target by impact and penetration...
, although he was unable to prove this. In 1950 and 1951, Moynihan served as President of the National Union of Liberal Clubs, and he again became the party treasurer. In 1952, he married June Hopkins, a dance teacher.
Long a friend of Edward Martell
Edward Martell (politician)
Edward Drewett Martell was a British politician and libertarian activist.-Family and education:Martell was the eldest son of E E Martell and Ethel Horwood. He was educated at St. George's School, Harpenden. In 1932 he married Ethel Maud Beverley. They had one son.-Journalism:Martell worked in the...
, in 1956, Moynihan was a founder member of his People's League for the Defence of Freedom, which claimed to combat the "tyranny of trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s". The new organisation was opposed by the Executive of the Liberal Party, which were concerned that it was contemplating standing rival political candidates, and also opposed its calls for strikebreaking. The People's League became the National Fellowship
National Fellowship
The National Fellowship was a minor far right political party in the United Kingdom.The party was launched under Chairman Edward Martell on 1 January 1962, with full page advertisements in national broadsheets. The advert referred to the organisation as part of a movement spearheaded by The New...
, which opposed immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
and entry to the Common Market. Because of his support for the new organisation, in 1962, Moynihan was removed as a vice-president of the Yorkshire Area Liberal Federation. In 1963, Moynihan finally resigned from the Liberal Party, citing his membership of Martell's latest organisation, the Freedom Group, which actively supported Conservative candidates. However, in 1964, he began disassociating himself from Martell, resigning his posts in Martell's organisations by early 1965.
In April 1965, Moynihan was charged with "persistently importuning for an immoral purpose". He was taken ill and died a few days before he was due to appear at Bow Street Magistrates' Court
Bow Street Magistrates' Court
Bow Street Magistrates' Court was the most famous magistrates' court in England for much of its existence, and was located in various buildings on Bow Street in central London close to Covent Garden throughout its history.-History:...
.