William Baxter (Scottish politician) facts for kids

William Baxter (born 4 December 1911 – died 20 April 1979) was a British politician. He was a member of the Labour Party. Besides being a politician, he also worked as a building contractor and a farmer.

Who Was William Baxter?

William Baxter was born in 1911. He grew up to have several important jobs. He was a building contractor, which means he helped build things. He was also a farmer, working with the land.

His Time in World War II

During the Second World War, William Baxter was a conscientious objector. This means he believed it was wrong to fight in the war. Because of his strong beliefs, he chose not to join the military.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

Before becoming a national politician, William Baxter served as a local councillor. This means he helped make decisions for his local community.

Representing West Stirlingshire

In 1959, William Baxter became a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is someone elected to represent people in the UK Parliament. He represented the area called West Stirlingshire. He continued to be an MP for this area until 1974.

A Call for Unity

In 1974, after a national election, no single political party won enough votes to form a strong government. William Baxter appeared on television and suggested a new idea. He thought that all the different political parties should work together. He called for a "government of national unity." He even suggested that the Duke of Edinburgh could lead their meetings.

This idea was quite unusual for his own party. Because of his public statements, his local Labour Party group asked him to step down. He did not run for re-election in the next election in October 1974.

Standing Up for His Beliefs

William Baxter was known for having strong opinions. He wasn't afraid to disagree with his own party.

Protest Against Nuclear Weapons

In 1961, he showed his independent spirit. At that time, both major political parties supported having nuclear weapons for Britain. William Baxter disagreed with this. To show his protest, he voted against money being given to the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and British Army. These votes happened in the House of Commons.

Because he voted against his party's views, he was temporarily suspended. He was not allowed to vote with the Labour Party for a while. This suspension lasted from March 1961 until May 1963.

Later Life and Recognition

In 1976, William Baxter received a special honor. Heriot-Watt University gave him an Honorary Doctorate. This is a special award given to people who have achieved great things.

William Baxter passed away on 20 April 1979, at the age of 67.