Thomas Pringle McDonald

Thomas Pringle McDonald QC (18 August 1901 – 23 July 1969), was a Scottish lawyer and Liberal Party politician. He was Sheriff of Aberdeen, Kincardine and Banff.

Background

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McDonald was born the son of James McDonald. He was educated at George Watson's College and Edinburgh University.[1] In 1930 he married Harriet Selby McDowall. They had one son and two daughters.[2]

Professional career

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McDonald was a member of the Scottish bar[3] and became a Scottish King's council in 1948. He was Sheriff of Aberdeen, Kincardine and Banff from 1954-1969.[4]

Political career

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McDonald was first active in politics at Edinburgh University where he was President of the Student's Representative Council and President of the University's Liberal Association.[5] He was Liberal candidate for the Edinburgh East division at the 1929 General Election. Edinburgh East had been a Liberal seat until it was lost to Labour in 1924. In that bad election for the party, his predecessor finished third. McDonald was able to overtake the Unionist candidate but unable to defeat the sitting Labour MP. He did not stand for Parliament again.[6]

Electoral record

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General Election 1929: Edinburgh East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Drummond Shiels 13,933 47.2 +5.3
Liberal Thomas Pringle McDonald 8,687 29.4 +1.5
Unionist Richard Cobden Thyne 6,889 23.3 −4.6
Majority 5,246 17.8 +6.1
Turnout 29,509
Labour hold Swing +1.9

References

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  1. ^ The Times House of Commons, 1929
  2. ^ ‘McDONALD, Thomas Pringle’, Who Was Who, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 1920–2016; online edn, Oxford University Press, 2014; online edn, April 2014 accessed 14 March 2016
  3. ^ The Times House of Commons, 1929
  4. ^ ‘McDONALD, Thomas Pringle’, Who Was Who, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 1920–2016; online edn, Oxford University Press, 2014; online edn, April 2014 accessed 14 March 2016
  5. ^ The Times House of Commons, 1929
  6. ^ British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1973, FWS Craig