William Sutherland (Scottish politician)
Encyclopedia
Sir William Sutherland, KCB
PC (4 March 1880 – 19 September 1949) was a Scottish civil servant, Liberal Party
politician and colliery owner. He was closely associated with Prime Minister
David Lloyd George
serving as his private and press secretary and later as his Parliamentary Private Secretary
. He was one of Lloyd George’s go-betweens in the sale of honours for the Lloyd George Fund. In his dealings with the press he would certainly have been labelled a spin doctor if that phrase had had currency in the early twentieth century, indeed he has recently been described as "the first of the modern spin doctors".
, the son of Alan Sutherland. He was educated at The High School of Glasgow
and at Glasgow University where he gained an MA
degree. On 27 August 1921 he married Annie Christine Fountain, CBE of Birthwaite Hall, near Barnsley
. The wedding was attended by Prime Minister
David Lloyd George
and Mrs Lloyd George
. His wife died in 1949. His uncle, Angus Sutherland
was Liberal MP for Sutherland
from 1886-1894.
. This was where he first attracted Lloyd George’s attention when he was President of the Board of Trade. Sutherland helped Lloyd George prepare and develop some of his legislation. He made a particular study of the Land question and between 1909 and 1913 he wrote tracts or books entitled The Call of the Land, The Land Question and Rural Regeneration. He was also involved in the preparation of the legislation on Old Age Pensions and National Insurance
and assisted in the implementation of these measures. In 1907 he wrote Old Age Pensions, in Theory and Practice, with Some Foreign Examples (published by Methuen). He also wrote a one shilling pamphlet in 1920 about the work of Coalition government
of David Lloyd George, However the work was dismissed in the press as “no more than a child’s guide for Coalition candidates and other apologists of the government”. By now a true intimate of the Welsh Wizard, he followed Lloyd George to the Ministry of Munitions, the War Office
and, eventually to Number 10 Downing Street.
, he was used as a fund-raiser from wealthy sources. He was described by political insider and newspaper magnate Lord Riddell
as “...an amusing, cynical dog”. He was a major participant in the honours scandal through which Lloyd George was able to build up his war-chest, the Lloyd George Fund. One historian has called Sutherland “an unsavoury character” who, together with Maundy Gregory
, Lloyd George used to raise money by lavishly dispensing honours at inflated prices and he had a reputation for indulging in the good life by hawking baronetcies at London Clubs.
. He was one Lloyd George's closest policy advisers. He understood that the old Liberal themes of education, Free trade
and temperance
had lost their resonance with the electorate. In their place he urged an emphasis on social and economic issues. This analysis harked back to the social liberalism
of the Liberal Governments of 1908-1914 and certainly pre-figured the radical direction Liberal policy took in the later 1920s when Lloyd George was reinstated as party leader and commissioned the series of ‘coloured books’ on land, industry and employment policy which formed the basis of the Liberal manifesto for the 1929 general election
. Sutherland also participated in the building up of the Coalition Liberal organisation in the constituencies, particularly in Scotland and took charge of the publicity programme. His warnings on the need to have good constituency organisation if the Lloyd George National Liberals
were going to possess effective local influence went largely unheeded however.
he acquired the nickname ‘Bronco Bill’ Sutherland (the media circus ringmaster in the age of the press lords) and would allegedly invent damaging stories about Lloyd George’s political opponents, which were then published in the press as genuine – although he was never named as the source. Lloyd George retained a high regard for Sutherland. As late as 1932 he was referring to him as “...one of the best and cutest politicians of the day.”
between June and December 1916. When Lloyd George became Prime Minister in December 1916, Sutherland accompanied him to 10 Downing Street
in the role of private and press secretary. He was knighted in 1919, being awarded the KCB
.) He was also appointed as a Commander of the Order of Leopold.
as Coalition Liberal candidate for Argyllshire
. As a representative of the Coalition Government
he would have received the Coalition Coupon
although his only opponent in the election was a candidate from the Highland Land League
and Sutherland was returned easily with over 80% of the poll.
. In 1920 he was made a Lord of the Treasury
to enable him to fulfil the role of the Scottish whip
, a position he held until 1922. In that year he was made a Privy Councillor after which he was entitled to be styled the ‘Right Honourable’. Also in 1922 he briefly achieved Cabinet
rank with his appointment as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
.
in Argyllshire. He faced no opposition from his party’s Unionist allies in the Coalition Government and the decision of the Independent Asquithian Liberals not to oppose him enabled him to retain the seat in a straight fight with Labour
, albeit with a reduced majority. He was not required to fight again on his appointment as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster as he was already a profit holder.
but was beaten in 1924
in a three-cornered contest by the Conservatives. He did agree to stand as a Liberal at the general election of 1929
in Barnsley
. He claimed second place to Labour but this was by the wide margin of 9,338 votes.
knockout competition to which he donated a trophy in 1922, the Sir William Sutherland Cup
. This cup is the national junior championship for shinty in Scotland
.
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
PC (4 March 1880 – 19 September 1949) was a Scottish civil servant, 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...
politician and colliery owner. He was closely associated with Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor OM, PC was a British Liberal politician and statesman...
serving as his private and press secretary and later as his Parliamentary Private Secretary
Parliamentary Private Secretary
A Parliamentary Private Secretary is a role given to a United Kingdom Member of Parliament by a senior minister in government or shadow minister to act as their contact for the House of Commons; this role is junior to that of Parliamentary Under-Secretary, which is a ministerial post, salaried by...
. He was one of Lloyd George’s go-betweens in the sale of honours for the Lloyd George Fund. In his dealings with the press he would certainly have been labelled a spin doctor if that phrase had had currency in the early twentieth century, indeed he has recently been described as "the first of the modern spin doctors".
Family and education
Sutherland was born in GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, the son of Alan Sutherland. He was educated at The High School of Glasgow
High School of Glasgow
The High School of Glasgow is an independent, co-educational day school in Glasgow, Scotland. Founded as the Choir School of Glasgow Cathedral in around 1124, it is the oldest school in Scotland, and the twelfth oldest in the United Kingdom. It remained part of the Church as the city's grammar...
and at Glasgow University where he gained an MA
Master of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
degree. On 27 August 1921 he married Annie Christine Fountain, CBE of Birthwaite Hall, near Barnsley
Barnsley
Barnsley is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Dearne, north of the city of Sheffield, south of Leeds and west of Doncaster. Barnsley is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, of which Barnsley is the largest and...
. The wedding was attended by Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George
David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor OM, PC was a British Liberal politician and statesman...
and Mrs Lloyd George
Margaret Lloyd George
Dame Margaret Lloyd George, GBE , née Margaret Owen, was the first wife of British Prime Minister David Lloyd George - from 1888 until her death in 1941.-Biography:...
. His wife died in 1949. His uncle, Angus Sutherland
Angus Sutherland
Angus Sutherland CB was a Scottish Liberal politician.The son of William Sutherland, of Helmsdale, Sutherland, he was educated at the parish school, Edinburgh Training College, and Glasgow University....
was Liberal MP for Sutherland
Sutherland (UK Parliament constituency)
Sutherland was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1801 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1918. It represented essentially the traditional county of Sutherland, electing one Member of Parliament...
from 1886-1894.
Career
Sutherland entered the civil service after leaving university and was appointed to the Board of TradeBoard of Trade
The Board of Trade is a committee of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, originating as a committee of inquiry in the 17th century and evolving gradually into a government department with a diverse range of functions...
. This was where he first attracted Lloyd George’s attention when he was President of the Board of Trade. Sutherland helped Lloyd George prepare and develop some of his legislation. He made a particular study of the Land question and between 1909 and 1913 he wrote tracts or books entitled The Call of the Land, The Land Question and Rural Regeneration. He was also involved in the preparation of the legislation on Old Age Pensions and National Insurance
National Insurance Act 1911
The National Insurance Act 1911 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act is often regarded as one of the foundations of modern social welfare in the United Kingdom and forms part of the wider social welfare reforms of the Liberal Government of 1906-1914...
and assisted in the implementation of these measures. In 1907 he wrote Old Age Pensions, in Theory and Practice, with Some Foreign Examples (published by Methuen). He also wrote a one shilling pamphlet in 1920 about the work of Coalition government
Coalition Government 1916-1922
The Coalition Government of David Lloyd George came to power in the United Kingdom in December 1916, replacing the earlier wartime coalition under H.H. Asquith, which had been held responsible for reverses during the Great War. Those Liberals who continued to support Asquith served as the Opposition...
of David Lloyd George, However the work was dismissed in the press as “no more than a child’s guide for Coalition candidates and other apologists of the government”. By now a true intimate of the Welsh Wizard, he followed Lloyd George to the Ministry of Munitions, the War Office
War Office
The War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
and, eventually to Number 10 Downing Street.
Lloyd George fund raiser
From his administrative and then Parliamentary association with Lloyd George, Sutherland developed an increasingly close political connection to the Prime Minister. In the run up to the 1918 general electionUnited Kingdom general election, 1918
The United Kingdom general election of 1918 was the first to be held after the Representation of the People Act 1918, which meant it was the first United Kingdom general election in which nearly all adult men and some women could vote. Polling was held on 14 December 1918, although the count did...
, he was used as a fund-raiser from wealthy sources. He was described by political insider and newspaper magnate Lord Riddell
George Riddell, 1st Baron Riddell
George Allardice Riddell, 1st Baron Riddell , known as Sir George Riddell, Bt, between 1918 and 1920, was a British solicitor, newspaper proprietor and public servant.-Background and education:...
as “...an amusing, cynical dog”. He was a major participant in the honours scandal through which Lloyd George was able to build up his war-chest, the Lloyd George Fund. One historian has called Sutherland “an unsavoury character” who, together with Maundy Gregory
Maundy Gregory
Arthur Maundy Gregory was a British theatre producer and political fixer who is best remembered for selling honours for Prime Minister David Lloyd George. He may also have been involved with the Zinoviev Letter, the disappearance of Victor Grayson, and the suspicious death of his platonic...
, Lloyd George used to raise money by lavishly dispensing honours at inflated prices and he had a reputation for indulging in the good life by hawking baronetcies at London Clubs.
Policy adviser
In 1918 Sutherland zealously assisted Lloyd George in building a case to discredit Major-General Sir Frederick Maurice in the circumstances surrounding the Maurice DebateThe Maurice Debate
The Maurice Debate was a debate in the British House of Commons which took place on 9 May 1918. It was tabled in response to the publication of a letter in The Times newspaper the day before from Major-General Sir Frederick Maurice, who had recently been removed as Director of Military Operations....
. He was one Lloyd George's closest policy advisers. He understood that the old Liberal themes of education, Free trade
Free trade
Under a free trade policy, prices emerge from supply and demand, and are the sole determinant of resource allocation. 'Free' trade differs from other forms of trade policy where the allocation of goods and services among trading countries are determined by price strategies that may differ from...
and temperance
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
had lost their resonance with the electorate. In their place he urged an emphasis on social and economic issues. This analysis harked back to the social liberalism
New Liberalism
New Liberalism may refer to:*New Liberalism *New liberalism as a synonym for social liberalism*New Liberalism , a party...
of the Liberal Governments of 1908-1914 and certainly pre-figured the radical direction Liberal policy took in the later 1920s when Lloyd George was reinstated as party leader and commissioned the series of ‘coloured books’ on land, industry and employment policy which formed the basis of the Liberal manifesto for the 1929 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1929
-Seats summary:-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987*-External links:***...
. Sutherland also participated in the building up of the Coalition Liberal organisation in the constituencies, particularly in Scotland and took charge of the publicity programme. His warnings on the need to have good constituency organisation if the Lloyd George National Liberals
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...
were going to possess effective local influence went largely unheeded however.
Press fixer
Lloyd George also employed Sutherland to further his interests with the press. He built up useful relations with newspaper editors in order to promote Lloyd George’s achievements and the record of the Coalition. In his role as go-between with Lloyd George and the journalists in the LobbyThe Lobby
The Lobby is the term to collectively describe the political journalists in the United Kingdom Houses of Parliament. The term is derived from the special access they are granted to the Members' Lobby...
he acquired the nickname ‘Bronco Bill’ Sutherland (the media circus ringmaster in the age of the press lords) and would allegedly invent damaging stories about Lloyd George’s political opponents, which were then published in the press as genuine – although he was never named as the source. Lloyd George retained a high regard for Sutherland. As late as 1932 he was referring to him as “...one of the best and cutest politicians of the day.”
Political appointments and honours
Sutherland was Secretary to the Cabinet Committee on the Supply of Munitions in 1915 and then became Private Secretary to Lloyd George as Minister of Munitions, (1915–16). He continued as Lloyd George’s private secretary when Lloyd George was appointed Secretary of State for WarSecretary of State for War
The position of Secretary of State for War, commonly called War Secretary, was a British cabinet-level position, first held by Henry Dundas . In 1801 the post became that of Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. The position was re-instated in 1854...
between June and December 1916. When Lloyd George became Prime Minister in December 1916, Sutherland accompanied him to 10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street, colloquially known in the United Kingdom as "Number 10", is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, who is now always the Prime Minister....
in the role of private and press secretary. He was knighted in 1919, being awarded the KCB
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
.) He was also appointed as a Commander of the Order of Leopold.
Elected to Parliament
It can have come as no surprise when, in 1918, Sutherland secured the nomination to fight the general electionUnited Kingdom general election, 1918
The United Kingdom general election of 1918 was the first to be held after the Representation of the People Act 1918, which meant it was the first United Kingdom general election in which nearly all adult men and some women could vote. Polling was held on 14 December 1918, although the count did...
as Coalition Liberal candidate for Argyllshire
Argyllshire (UK Parliament constituency)
Argyllshire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1708 to 1800 and of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 until 1950, when it was renamed Argyll...
. As a representative of the Coalition Government
Coalition Government 1916-1922
The Coalition Government of David Lloyd George came to power in the United Kingdom in December 1916, replacing the earlier wartime coalition under H.H. Asquith, which had been held responsible for reverses during the Great War. Those Liberals who continued to support Asquith served as the Opposition...
he would have received the Coalition Coupon
Coalition Coupon
The ‘Coalition Coupon’, often referred to as ‘the coupon’, refers to the letter sent to parliamentary candidates at the United Kingdom general election, 1918 endorsing them as official representatives of the Coalition Government. The 1918 election took place in the heady atmosphere of victory in...
although his only opponent in the election was a candidate from the Highland Land League
Highland Land League
The first Highland Land League emerged as a distinct political force in Scotland during the 1880s, with its power base in the country's Highlands and Islands. It was known also as the Highland Land Law Reform Association and the Crofters' Party...
and Sutherland was returned easily with over 80% of the poll.
Government appointments
Between 1918 and 1920, Sutherland served as the Prime Minister’s Parliamentary Private SecretaryParliamentary Private Secretary
A Parliamentary Private Secretary is a role given to a United Kingdom Member of Parliament by a senior minister in government or shadow minister to act as their contact for the House of Commons; this role is junior to that of Parliamentary Under-Secretary, which is a ministerial post, salaried by...
. In 1920 he was made a Lord of the Treasury
Lord of the Treasury
In the United Kingdom, there are at least six Lords of the Treasury who serve concurrently. Traditionally, this board consists of the First Lord of the Treasury, the Second Lord of the Treasury, and four or more junior lords .Strictly they are commissioners for exercising the office of Lord...
to enable him to fulfil the role of the Scottish whip
Whip (politics)
A whip is an official in a political party whose primary purpose is to ensure party discipline in a legislature. Whips are a party's "enforcers", who typically offer inducements and threaten punishments for party members to ensure that they vote according to the official party policy...
, a position he held until 1922. In that year he was made a Privy Councillor after which he was entitled to be styled the ‘Right Honourable’. Also in 1922 he briefly achieved Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
rank with his appointment as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is, in modern times, a ministerial office in the government of the United Kingdom that includes as part of its duties, the administration of the estates and rents of the Duchy of Lancaster...
.
By-election in Argyllshire
On appointment as a Lord of the Treasury (an office of profit under the Crown) in 1920, Sutherland was obliged under the constitutional requirements of the day to fight a by-electionBy-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
in Argyllshire. He faced no opposition from his party’s Unionist allies in the Coalition Government and the decision of the Independent Asquithian Liberals not to oppose him enabled him to retain the seat in a straight fight with Labour
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...
, albeit with a reduced majority. He was not required to fight again on his appointment as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster as he was already a profit holder.
1922-1924
With the fall of the Coalition Sutherland’s ministerial career ended. He held his seat at the 1923 general electionUnited Kingdom general election, 1923
-Seats summary:-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987*-External links:***...
but was beaten in 1924
United Kingdom general election, 1924
- Seats summary :- References :* F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987* - External links :* * *...
in a three-cornered contest by the Conservatives. He did agree to stand as a Liberal at the general election of 1929
United Kingdom general election, 1929
-Seats summary:-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987*-External links:***...
in Barnsley
Barnsley (UK Parliament constituency)
Barnsley was a Parliamentary constituency covering the town of Barnsley in England. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post voting system.-History:...
. He claimed second place to Labour but this was by the wide margin of 9,338 votes.
Colliery owner
After he left Parliament Sir William pursued interests in the coal industry. He was a director of the Wharncliffe Woodmoor Colliery, near Barnsley and owner of the Woolley group of collieries in the same area. He was also managing director of Fountain and Burnley Ltd, which owned the North Gawber colliery.Sutherland Cup
Sir William's name survives attached to the shintyShinty
Shinty is a team game played with sticks and a ball. Shinty is now played mainly in the Scottish Highlands, and amongst Highland migrants to the big cities of Scotland, but it was formerly more widespread, being once competitively played on a widespread basis in England and other areas in the...
knockout competition to which he donated a trophy in 1922, the Sir William Sutherland Cup
Sir William Sutherland Cup
The Sir William Sutherland Cup, more commonly known simply as the Sutherland Cup, is a trophy in the sport of shinty. It is the national cup competition for junior sides, the equivalent of the Camanachd Cup for those sides in lower league competition....
. This cup is the national junior championship for shinty in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.