John Maxton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Maxton
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| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| Assumed office 17 June 2004 Life Peerage |
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| Member of Parliament for Glasgow Cathcart |
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| In office 3 May 1979 – 14 May 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Teddy Taylor |
| Succeeded by | Tom Harris |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 May 1936 |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Labour |
| Alma mater | University College, Oxford |
John Alston Maxton, Baron Maxton (born 5 May 1936) is a Scottish politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons from 1979 to 2001. An MP is someone elected to represent a specific area in the UK Parliament. After leaving the House of Commons, he became a member of the House of Lords, which is the second chamber of the UK Parliament.
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About John Maxton
John Maxton was born on 5 May 1936. He is a British citizen from Scotland. Throughout his career, he has been an important member of the Labour Party. He has worked to represent people in government.
Early Life and Education
John Maxton comes from a family with a history of strong beliefs. His uncle, James Maxton, was a leader of the Independent Labour Party. Both his uncle and his father, also named John Maxton, were conscientious objectors during World War I. This means they refused to fight in the war because of their personal beliefs.
John Maxton himself was a conscientious objector from 1955 to 1957. Instead of joining the military, he worked on building sites and farms. He attended Lord Williams's Grammar School in Thame. Later, he studied at University College, Oxford, a well-known university.
Starting a Political Career
John Maxton joined the Labour Party in 1970. He quickly became active in politics. In 1975, he was a key campaigner against the UK staying in the Common Market. This was during a big vote called a referendum.
In 1979, he ran for election as an MP in Glasgow Cathcart. He was challenging the current MP, Teddy Taylor. The area was changing, and the Labour Party was becoming more popular in Scotland. This helped John Maxton win the election. He was the only Labour candidate in that election to win a seat from the Conservative Party.
Working in Parliament
As an MP, John Maxton was part of the Tribune Group. This group represented the more left-wing ideas within the Labour Party. He famously voted against the Falklands War in 1982. This showed his strong beliefs.
In 1983, the boundaries of his constituency (the area he represented) were changed. Despite this, he won his seat again in the 1983 election. John Maxton was a well-liked MP. He served as a Labour Whip for Scotland in 1985. A whip helps make sure party members vote together. From 1985 to 1992, he was a spokesperson for Scottish Affairs. This meant he spoke for the Labour Party on issues affecting Scotland.
Becoming a Lord
John Maxton decided not to run for MP again in 2001. After leaving the House of Commons, he was given a special honour. On 17 June 2004, he became a life peer. This means he was given the title of Baron Maxton. He then became a member of the House of Lords. As a Lord, he continues to contribute to the UK Parliament.
