Charles Curran (politician)

Leslie Charles Curran (1903 – 16 September 1972) was a barrister and British Conservative Party politician.

Background

He was the son of C. J. Curran,[1] and educated at Cardiff High School and Stonyhurst College, a large independent school.[2]

Career

Curran was a sub-editor of the Evening Express,[3] before becoming a barrister in 1932 of Gray's Inn.[4][5]

Curran was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Uxbridge for three terms: from 1959 to 1966, when he lost to Labour; he regained the seat in 1970, holding it until he died in 1972. Michael Shersby of his party was elected to succeed him in the subsequent by-election.

Mistake

Curran is probably most remembered for a speech he made in the House on 19 June 1964, in which he mistook deliberately nonsensical poems written by John Lennon that had been published in the United States and the UK, as a sign of Lennon being illiterate. Fellow Conservative Norman Miscampbell tried to downplay and make light of the misunderstanding, feeling that his words would be disastrous for the party in the upcoming elections that year.[6]

Personal life

Curran married Mona Regan and had one son.[7] He died in Nicosia, Cyprus on 16 September 1972.

References
  1. Dod's Parliamentary Companion parts 1 and 2, 1967, Dod's Parliamentary Companion Ltd, pg 386
  2. Guide to the House of Commons, Times Newspapers Ltd, 1951, pg 147
  3. Newspaper World and Advertising Review, issues 1878-1904, Newspaper World, 1934, p. 88
  4. The Law Times, volume 174, Office of The Law Times, 1932, p. 333
  5. Graya - A Magazine for Members of Gray's Inn, volume 3, Gray's Inn, 1932, p. 84
  6. The Beatles Diary: Volume 1, pg. 266
  7. Dod's Parliamentary Companion parts 1 and 2, 1967, Dod's Parliamentary Companion Ltd, p. 386
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Frank Beswick		 Member of Parliament for Uxbridge
1959–1966		 Succeeded by
John Ryan
Preceded by
John Ryan		 Member of Parliament for Uxbridge
1970–1972		 Succeeded by
Michael Shersby


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