On This Day

12 August 1902

Rufus Isaacs is adopted to fight Reading

Following the decision of their sitting MP, George Palmer of the Huntley and Palmer biscuit company, not to contest the seat at the next election, Reading Liberal Council meet to select a replacement. They had invited Rufus Isaacs, K.C to attend the meeting with a view to selection and having heard him address them, duly adopted him. Isaacs retained his Reading seat, though often with small majorities, until he was made a peer in 1913 and appointed Lord Chief Justice of England. In 1931 he became the last Liberal to occupy the post of Foreign Secretary.