Liberal Party Frontbench Team, 1967–76 aide to Mr. Thorpe. Commonwealth affairs. overseas development. Mr. Richard Wainwright ((Colne Valley): Treasury. labour, economic affairs. Dr. Michael Winstanley (Cheadle,: Rome °Mee. health. Post °Mee. ... Liberal Party Frontbench Team, 1967–76 Members of the British Liberal Party's Frontbench Team from 1967 to 1976 (leaderships listed chronologically): Mr. Thorpe announced changes in the organisation of the Parliamentary Liberal Party, and the reallocation of duties among the 12 Liberal M Ps. Mr. Jo Grimond. who resigned as Leader of the party last month. has been invited to undertake a general oversight of foreign affairs. defence, and regionalism. His sphere will Include
Jeremy Thorpe had not been frank about the true nature of his friendship with Scott. On 10 May 1976, amid rising criticism, Thorpe resigned the party leadership, "convinced that a fixed determination to destroy the Leader could itself result in the destruction of the Party". Thorpe's resignation brought him a period of temporary calm. The new Liberal leader, David Steel, made him party spokesman on foreign affairs, with responsibility for European issues. Wilson had by this time retired as prime minister, and been replaced by James Callaghan. Thorpe lobbied the government hard for legislation to introduce direct elections to the European Parliament;