David Steel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Lord Steel of Aikwood KT KBE PC
Official portrait, 2020
Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament
In office 12 May 1999 – 7 May 2003
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Deputy	Patricia Ferguson George Reid Murray Tosh
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	George Reid
Leader of the Liberal Democrats
In office 3 March 1988 – 16 July 1988 Serving with Robert Maclennan
Preceded by	Himself (Lib.) Robert Maclennan (SDP)
Succeeded by	Paddy Ashdown
Leader of the Liberal Party
In office 7 July 1976 – 16 July 1988
Deputy	John Pardoe (1976–1979) Alan Beith (1985–1988)
President	List Basil Goldstone Gruffydd Evans Michael Steed Richard Holme Viv Bingham John Griffiths Geoff Tordoff Alan Watson David Penhaligon Des Wilson Adrian Slade
Preceded by	Jo Grimond (acting)
Succeeded by	Paddy Ashdown (Leader of the Social and Liberal Democrats)
Chief Whip of the Liberal Party
In office 18 June 1970 – 7 July 1976
Leader	Jeremy Thorpe Jo Grimond
Preceded by	Eric Lubbock
Succeeded by	Cyril Smith
Parliamentary offices Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal Life peerage 6 June 1997 – 27 March 2020 Member of the Scottish Parliament for Lothians (1 of 7 Regional MSPs) In office 6 May 1999 – 31 March 2003 Member of Parliament for Tweeddale, Ettrick, and Lauderdale Roxburgh, Selkirk, and Peebles (1965–1983) In office 24 March 1965 – 8 April 1997 Preceded by Charles Donaldson Succeeded by Michael Moore
Personal details
Born	David Martin Scott Steel (1938-03-31) 31 March 1938 (age 87) Kirkcaldy, Scotland
Political party	Independent (since 2020)
Other political affiliations	Liberal Democrats (1988–2020) Liberal (until 1988)
Spouse	Judith MacGregor ​ (m. 1962)​
Children	3
Parent	David Steel
Alma mater	University of Edinburgh
Signature

David Martin Scott Steel, Baron Steel of Aikwood (born 31 March 1938) is a Scottish politician who has retired from public life. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for 32 years. He led the Liberal Party from 1976 to 1988.

During his time as leader, the Liberal Party worked closely with the Social Democratic Party (SDP). This partnership led to the creation of the Liberal Democrats party in 1988.

After leaving the UK Parliament, Steel became a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) in 1999. He served as the first Presiding Officer (like a speaker) until 2003. He was also a member of the House of Lords from 1997 until 2020. He stepped down from the House of Lords after an inquiry raised concerns about his past actions regarding serious allegations against another politician.

Early Life and Education

David Steel was born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. His father, also named David Steel, was a minister in the Church of Scotland. His father later became the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, a very important role.

David grew up in Scotland and Kenya. He attended several schools, including Dumbarton Academy and George Watson's College in Edinburgh. He then studied at the University of Edinburgh. There, he became very involved in Liberal politics. He was elected Senior President of the Students' Representative Council. He earned a degree in Law from the university.

Political Career Highlights

After university, David Steel worked for the Scottish Liberal Party. He also worked for the BBC. In 1965, just before his 27th birthday, he was elected to the House of Commons. He became an MP for Roxburgh, Selkirk, and Peebles. This made him the "Baby of the House", meaning the youngest MP.

He represented this area until 1983. Then, he was elected for a new area called Tweeddale, Ettrick, and Lauderdale. From 1966 to 1970, Steel was the president of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement. This group campaigned against the unfair system of apartheid in South Africa.

As an MP, Steel was known for introducing important new laws. In 1970, he became the Liberal Party's Chief Whip. This role involves making sure party members vote as a group.

Leading the Liberal Party

In 1976, David Steel became the leader of the Liberal Party. He was only 38 years old, making him one of the youngest party leaders in British history. In March 1977, he led the Liberals into a special agreement called the "Lib–Lab pact".

This pact meant the Liberals supported the Labour government. The Labour government had a small majority and needed help to pass laws. In return, the Liberals got to have a say in some government policies. This agreement lasted until August 1978. Some people thought Steel should have asked for more from the Labour government. However, his supporters believed it was a smart move to give the party time to recover after some difficult times.

In the 1979 general election, the first election with Steel as leader, the Liberals lost two seats.

The SDP–Liberal Alliance

In 1981, some politicians left the Labour Party to form the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The SDP then joined forces with the Liberals, forming the SDP–Liberal Alliance. At first, this Alliance was very popular. Polls showed they had a lot of support.

David Steel was very hopeful. He famously told his party members, "Go back to your constituencies, and prepare for government." He truly believed the Alliance could win the next general election and form a coalition government.

However, the Falklands War in 1982 changed public opinion. The Conservative Party gained more support. In the 1983 general election, the Alliance received over 25% of the votes. This was almost as many votes as the Labour Party. But because their support was spread out, they only won 23 seats. This was a disappointment for Steel's hopes of a major political breakthrough.

After this, David Owen became the leader of the SDP. The relationship between the "Two Davids" (Steel and Owen) was often difficult. Steel wanted the two parties to merge, but Owen was not always keen. Their relationship was even made fun of in TV shows like Spitting Image. Steel felt this portrayal damaged his public image.

Merging Two Parties

David Steel strongly believed that the Liberals and the SDP should become one party. He thought this would make them stronger. In 1988, he successfully convinced both parties to merge. The new party was first called the Social and Liberal Democrats.

Steel briefly served as a joint interim leader of the new party. He then became the party's spokesperson on foreign affairs. From 1994 to 1996, he was the President of Liberal International, a worldwide organization for liberal political parties.

Life Peerage and Scottish Parliament

David Steel left the House of Commons in 1997. He was then made a life peer, which means he became a member of the House of Lords for life. His title became Baron Steel of Aikwood.

He strongly supported the creation of a Scottish Parliament. In 1999, he was elected as a MSP for Lothians. On 12 May 1999, he became the first Presiding Officer (speaker) of the new Scottish Parliament.

While serving as Presiding Officer, he used the title "Sir David Steel." He also paused his membership with the Liberal Democrats. This was because he believed the Presiding Officer should be fair and not take sides, just like the Speaker of the UK House of Commons. All Presiding Officers since him have followed this practice.

Steel stepped down as an MSP in 2003. He remained Presiding Officer until his successor, George Reid, was elected on 7 May 2003. He was also appointed Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2003 and 2004.

Resignation from the House of Lords

On 25 February 2020, David Steel announced he was leaving the Liberal Democrats. He also resigned from his position as a member of the House of Lords. This decision came after an independent inquiry raised concerns about his actions during his time as Liberal Party leader. The inquiry stated that he had a "failure to act" regarding serious allegations against another politician, Cyril Smith. Steel officially retired from the House of Lords on 27 March 2020.

Honours and Awards

Arms of David Steel

Crest A jaguar salient Proper Escutcheon Azure in chief two furisons Or in base a tower Argent port and windows Sable on a chief Argent dexter on a gonfannon Purpure a saltire equisee Argent the gonfannon pendent from a pole fessways Purpure between two chords each Purpure and Argent and sinister a portcullis chained Sable. Supporters Dexter a Masai warrior sinister a border reiver Proper. Motto Vir Tamen Aurum Est (The Man's The Gold For A'That)

Steel's stall in the Thistle Chapel, St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh. His arms can be seen on the right, with the crest of a springing jaguar.

In 1990, David Steel was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for his public service. On 30 November 2004, Queen Elizabeth made Lord Steel a Knight of the Order of the Thistle. This is the highest honour given in Scotland.

He has also received honours from other countries:

• Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit (Germany) in 1992.
• Chevalier in the Légion d'Honneur (France) in 2003.
• Honorary Knight of the Order of St. George (Habsburg-Lorraine) in 2016.

Many universities have given Steel honorary doctorates, including Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Stirling.

Personal Life and Family

David Steel married Judith Mary MacGregor in October 1962. She was also a law graduate. They lived at Aikwood Tower in the Scottish Borders for twenty years. They now live in Selkirk.

They have two sons and one daughter, and nine grandchildren. One of his granddaughters, Hannah, was elected to Scottish Borders Council in 2022.

Steel enjoys angling (fishing) and classic car rallying. He won a bronze medal in a London to Cape Town rally in 1998. He is a member of the National Liberal Club and the Royal Over-Seas League clubs.

Steel was featured in a TV documentary series called Empire's Children in 2007. This show explored his family history. It looked at his father's efforts to help African people during the Mau Mau rebellion.