David Patrick Paul Alton, Baron Alton of Liverpool (born 15 March, 1951) is a cross bench member of the House of Lords. He was made a Life Peer in 1997.
He was previously a Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Liverpool, Mossley Hill. He won Liverpool, Edge Hill in a by-election in 1979.
From 1979 to 1988 was Liberal MP, and served at various times as spokesman on the Environment, Home Affairs, Northern Ireland and as Chief Whip. In 1987 he resigned as chief whip to campaign for his unsuccessful private members' bill which aimed to stop late abortions.
From 1988 to 1997 he served as a Liberal Democrat MP, but had difficult relations with parts of the party, especially over attempts to make the party adopt a pro-choice position on abortion.
He stood down as an MP at the 1997 General Election.
He was known for his strongly Pro-Life position on abortion, which went against the pro-choice politics of some in his party. Despite the offical Liberal Democrat position of no-policy on abortion, it was this that led to his leaving the Liberal Democrat Party in the House of Lords.
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Last updated: 10-16-2005 15:22:25
