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 25 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 is now retired. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for 32 years. He also led the Liberal Party from 1976 to 1988.

Later, he helped create the Liberal Democrats party. From 1999 to 2003, he was a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP). During this time, he was the first Presiding Officer (like a speaker) of the Scottish Parliament. He was also a member of the House of Lords from 1997 to 2020.

Early Life and Education

David Steel was born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. His father, also named David Steel, was a Church of Scotland minister. He later became a very important leader in the Church.

David grew up in Scotland and Kenya. He went to several schools, including Dumbarton Academy and George Watson's College in Edinburgh. He then studied Law at the University of Edinburgh.

While at university, he became very active in politics. He was elected as a senior leader of the student council. From 1966 to 1970, he was also the president of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement. This group worked to end the unfair system of apartheid in South Africa.

Starting in Politics

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 as an MP. He represented the area of Roxburgh, Selkirk, and Peebles. He was the youngest MP at the time.

He kept this seat until 1983. Then, he was elected for a new area called Tweeddale, Ettrick, and Lauderdale. This new area covered much of the same land. In 1970, he became the Liberal Party's main spokesperson on jobs. He also became the party's Chief Whip, which means he helped make sure party members voted together.

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 1977, he led the Liberals into a special agreement called the "Lib–Lab pact".

This agreement meant the Liberals would support the Labour government. Labour had a small number of seats and needed help to stay in power. In return, the Liberals got to have a say in some government decisions. This agreement lasted until 1978.

Working with the SDP

In 1981, some politicians left the Labour Party to form a new group. This new group was called the Social Democratic Party (SDP). They joined with the Liberals to form the SDP–Liberal Alliance.

At first, this Alliance was very popular. Many people thought they might even win the next general election. David Steel was very hopeful. He told his party members to "prepare for government."

However, the Falklands War started in 1982. This changed how people felt about politics. The Conservative Party became much more popular. In the 1983 election, the Alliance got many votes, but not enough seats. This was because of the "first past the post system" where only the winner in each area gets a seat.

David Steel worked with the SDP leader, David Owen. Their relationship was sometimes difficult because they had different ideas. This was even made fun of on TV shows.

Merging Two Parties

David Steel believed that the Liberals and SDP should become one party. He thought this would make them stronger. In 1988, he successfully led the two parties to merge. They formed a new party called the Social and Liberal Democrats. This party later became known as the Liberal Democrats.

After the merger, David Steel became the new party's spokesperson for foreign affairs. He also became the President of Liberal International from 1994 to 1996. This is a worldwide group of liberal political parties.

Serving Scotland

In 1997, David Steel left the UK Parliament. He was then made a life peer, which means he became a member of the House of Lords for life. He was given the title Baron Steel of Aikwood.

He strongly supported the idea of having a Scottish Parliament. In 1999, he was elected as an MSP for the Lothians area. On 12 May 1999, he became the first Presiding Officer of the new Scottish Parliament. This role is similar to the Speaker in the UK Parliament.

As Presiding Officer, he stopped being a member of the Liberal Democrats. He believed this important job should be fair to all parties. Other Presiding Officers have followed this example. He stepped down as an MSP in 2003.

Awards and Recognition

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.

David Steel has received many important awards. In 1990, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE). In 2004, Queen Elizabeth made him a Knight of the Order of the Thistle. This is the highest honour in Scotland.

He has also received awards from other countries. These include honours from Germany and France. Many universities, like Edinburgh and Aberdeen, have given him honorary doctorates.

Family Life

David Steel married Judith Mary MacGregor in 1962. They have two sons and one daughter. They also have nine grandchildren. One of his granddaughters, Hannah, was elected to the Scottish Borders Council in 2022.

He enjoys fishing and classic car rallying. He even won a bronze medal in a London to Cape Town car rally in 1998.