Malcolm MacDonald

Malcolm John MacDonald OM, PC (17 August 1901 – 11 January 1981) was a British politician and diplomat. MacDonald was the son of Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald and Margaret MacDonald. Like his father he was born in Lossiemouth, Moray. Similarly, he was initially a Labour MP who then joined the National Government and was consequently expelled from the Labour Party. MacDonald was first elected to Parliament for Bassetlaw in the 1929 general elect... more

Malcolm John MacDonald OM, PC (17 August 1901 – 11 January 1981) was a British politician and diplomat. MacDonald was the son of Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald and Margaret MacDonald. Like his father he was born in Lossiemouth, Moray. Similarly, he was initially a Labour MP who then joined the National Government and was consequently expelled from the Labour Party. MacDonald was first elected to Parliament for Bassetlaw in the 1929 general election and proved notable as a "loyal" son, in contrast to Conservative leader Stanley Baldwin's son Oliver who was also elected a Labour MP. In 1931 the Labour government broke up and MacDonald's father formed the National Government with representatives drawn from all political parties. Very few Labour members would support it however and so Malcolm was appointed to a junior ministerial post as Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs. When the Labour MPs met to discuss the formation of the government, Malcolm was the only one present who... less