Wynn Normington Hugh-Jones
Encyclopedia
Sir Wynn Normington Hugh-Jones KB, sometimes known as Sir Hugh Jones, (born 1 November 1923) is a former British diplomat, administrator and Liberal Party
official. Now retired, he has published two volumes of autobiography.
Hugh Jones was born at Llangollen
in north Wales where his father was Headmaster of the County School. He was educated at Ludlow Grammar School
and went up to Selwyn College, Cambridge
in 1941 where he got his degree in natural sciences in just two years. During the rest of Second World War he served as a Signals Officer in the Royal Air Force
.
Jones entered the Diplomatic Service
in 1947 and served in various overseas and London postings until 1971 when he was seconded first to the Lord President’s Office
and then the Cabinet Office
to assist in the Great Debate which preceded the United Kingdom’s entry to the European Economic Community
and to help steer the European Communities Bill
through Parliament. He left government service in 1973 to become the Director General of the English Speaking Union (ESU).
Jones’ father had been a Liberal and his political sympathies were always towards the Liberal Party, although as a public servant or ESU administrator he could not participate in national political activity. But in 1977 he was appointed Secretary General of the Liberal Party and served in this post until 1983. From 1984-87 he was Joint Honorary Treasurer of the party. He steered the party through the period of the Lib-Lab Pact
(1977–78) under the leadership of David Steel
and during the formation of the Alliance with the newly founded Social Democratic Party
, playing a key role in the seats' negotiations which so bedevilled the parties. Financially the late 1970s and early 1980s were difficult for the Liberal Party. Jones was forced to describe the party's position as being on a knife edge so he must have taken the Treasurer's post with misgivings in 1984. He was knighted for political and public service in the New Years Honours List of 1984.
After retirement Sir Hugh, as a resident of Avebury
in Wiltshire
became chairman of the Avebury in Danger campaign (now the Avebury Society) which fought to preserve Avebury as a World Heritage site
and living village. He also undertook lecture tours of the United States on east-west relations and other international and political questions. He separated from his first wife, Ann with whom he had three children and later married Oswynne Jordan.
Jones published the first volume of his autobiography, Diplomacy to Politics by way of the Jungle in 2002 and the second Campaigning Face to Face in 2007.
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...
official. Now retired, he has published two volumes of autobiography.
Hugh Jones was born at Llangollen
Llangollen
Llangollen is a small town and community in Denbighshire, north-east Wales, situated on the River Dee and on the edge of the Berwyn mountains. It has a population of 3,412.-History:...
in north Wales where his father was Headmaster of the County School. He was educated at Ludlow Grammar School
Ludlow College
Ludlow College is a sixth form college situated in the heart of Ludlow, Shropshire, England. Its history traces back to 1200, when it was known as Ludlow Grammar School. This makes Ludlow College one of the oldest educational institutions in England....
and went up to Selwyn College, Cambridge
Selwyn College, Cambridge
Selwyn College is a constituent college in the University of Cambridge in England, United Kingdom.The college was founded by the Selwyn Memorial Committee in memory of the Rt Reverend George Selwyn , who rowed on the Cambridge crew in the first Varsity Boat Race in 1829, and went on to become the...
in 1941 where he got his degree in natural sciences in just two years. During the rest of Second World War he served as a Signals Officer in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
.
Jones entered the Diplomatic Service
Diplomatic service
Diplomatic service is the body of diplomats and foreign policy officers maintained by the government of a country to communicate with the governments of other countries. Diplomatic personnel enjoy diplomatic immunity when they are accredited to other countries...
in 1947 and served in various overseas and London postings until 1971 when he was seconded first to the Lord President’s Office
Lord President of the Council
The Lord President of the Council is the fourth of the Great Officers of State of the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord High Treasurer and above the Lord Privy Seal. The Lord President usually attends each meeting of the Privy Council, presenting business for the monarch's approval...
and then the Cabinet Office
Cabinet Office
The Cabinet Office is a department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for supporting the Prime Minister and Cabinet of the United Kingdom....
to assist in the Great Debate which preceded the United Kingdom’s entry to the European Economic Community
European Economic Community
The European Economic Community The European Economic Community (EEC) The European Economic Community (EEC) (also known as the Common Market in the English-speaking world, renamed the European Community (EC) in 1993The information in this article primarily covers the EEC's time as an independent...
and to help steer the European Communities Bill
European Communities Act 1972 (UK)
The European Communities Act 1972 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom providing for the incorporation of European Community law into the domestic law of the United Kingdom. It is not to be confused with the Irish law of the same name, Act No...
through Parliament. He left government service in 1973 to become the Director General of the English Speaking Union (ESU).
Jones’ father had been a Liberal and his political sympathies were always towards the Liberal Party, although as a public servant or ESU administrator he could not participate in national political activity. But in 1977 he was appointed Secretary General of the Liberal Party and served in this post until 1983. From 1984-87 he was Joint Honorary Treasurer of the party. He steered the party through the period of the Lib-Lab Pact
Lib-Lab pact
In British politics, a Lib-Lab pact is a working arrangement between the Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party.There have been four such arrangements, and one alleged proposal, at the national level...
(1977–78) under the leadership of David Steel
David Steel
David Martin Scott Steel, Baron Steel of Aikwood, KT, KBE, PC is a British Liberal Democrat politician who served as the Leader of the Liberal Party from 1976 until its merger with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the Liberal Democrats...
and during the formation of the Alliance with the newly founded Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Party (UK)
The Social Democratic Party was a political party in the United Kingdom that was created on 26 March 1981 and existed until 1988. It was founded by four senior Labour Party 'moderates', dubbed the 'Gang of Four': Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Bill Rodgers and Shirley Williams...
, playing a key role in the seats' negotiations which so bedevilled the parties. Financially the late 1970s and early 1980s were difficult for the Liberal Party. Jones was forced to describe the party's position as being on a knife edge so he must have taken the Treasurer's post with misgivings in 1984. He was knighted for political and public service in the New Years Honours List of 1984.
After retirement Sir Hugh, as a resident of Avebury
Avebury
Avebury is a Neolithic henge monument containing three stone circles which is located around the village of Avebury in Wiltshire, south west England. Unique amongst megalithic monuments, Avebury contains the largest stone circle in Europe, and is one of the best known prehistoric sites in Britain...
in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
became chairman of the Avebury in Danger campaign (now the Avebury Society) which fought to preserve Avebury as a World Heritage site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
and living village. He also undertook lecture tours of the United States on east-west relations and other international and political questions. He separated from his first wife, Ann with whom he had three children and later married Oswynne Jordan.
Jones published the first volume of his autobiography, Diplomacy to Politics by way of the Jungle in 2002 and the second Campaigning Face to Face in 2007.