Who is Lord Bryan Davies?

As we were growing up our mutual friend used to describe him as ‘Uncle Bryan’ him being an honorary uncle.

35 years later it has been a delight to discover that Bryan Davies, The Lord Davies of Oldham, and former Captain of the Yeoman of the Guard was very happy to have a conversation with me.

A history and then separately economics graduate he taught at The Latymer school and lectured at Middlesex Polytechnic. From 1974-1979 he was MP for Enfield North, then later MP for Oldham Central and Royton until 1997. In 1997 he was created a life peer as Baron Davies of Oldham, of Broxbourne in the County of Hertfordshire.

He has been a member of the Medical Research Council, the Further Education Funding Council and the Privy Council.

After we stopped recording he spoke about his role in facilitating adult literacy schemes whilst in government. I wish he had talked about whilst I was recording because it sounded like a really important scheme, of which he could be proud.