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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| In office 17 June 2004 – 5 May 2025 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 |
| Died | 20 November 2025 (aged 89) |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Labour |
| Alma mater | University College, Oxford |
John Alston Maxton, also known as Baron Maxton, was a Scottish politician. He was a member of the Labour Party. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons from 1979 to 2001. Later, he became a member of the House of Lords.
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Early Life and Beliefs
John Maxton was born on May 5, 1936. His uncle, James Maxton, was a well-known political leader. Both his uncle and his father, also named John Maxton, were conscientious objectors during World War I. This means they chose not to fight in the war because of their strong personal beliefs.
Young John Maxton also became a conscientious objector from 1955 to 1957. During this time, he worked on building sites and farms instead of serving in the military. He attended Lord Williams's Grammar School in Thame. Later, he studied at University College, Oxford.
Journey into Politics
Maxton joined the Labour Party in 1970. He became an active campaigner. He was a Vice Chairman of a group called Scottish Labour Against the Market. This group opposed Britain staying in the Common Market during a referendum in 1975. A referendum is when people vote directly on an important issue.
First Election Victory
In the 1979 general election, Maxton was chosen to run for the Glasgow Cathcart area. He ran against the sitting MP, Teddy Taylor. A "sitting MP" is the person who currently holds the seat. The area was changing, and the Labour Party was becoming more popular in Scotland. This made it more likely for Maxton to win. The Conservative Party's strong opposition to the Scottish National Party also helped Maxton. Some voters who usually supported the Scottish National Party decided to vote Labour instead.
Maxton was the only Labour candidate in that election to win a seat that the Conservatives had won before.
Serving in Parliament
In Parliament, Maxton joined a group called the Tribune Group. This group shared similar political ideas, often described as the "soft left." He voted against the Falklands War. In 1983, the boundaries of his voting area were changed. This made it harder for him to win, but he decided not to move to an easier area. He still managed to win his seat again in the 1983 general election.
Maxton was a well-liked Member of Parliament. He served as Labour's Scottish Whip in 1985. A Whip is a person who makes sure party members vote in line with the party's policies. He was also a spokesman on Scottish Affairs from 1985 to 1992. This meant he spoke for the Labour Party on issues important to Scotland.
Later Political Career
Maxton stepped down from the House of Commons in the 2001 general election. On June 17, 2004, he was given a life peerage. This meant he became a member of the House of Lords for life, with the title Baron Maxton. He retired from the House of Lords on his 89th birthday, May 5, 2025.
Remembering John Maxton
John Maxton passed away on November 20, 2025, at the age of 89.
